May 5, 2026
Hamilton's 10-Year Downtown Revitalization Strategy is Approved
Economic Development’s Commercial Districts and Small Business team marked a major milestone on April 15, 2026, as Hamilton City Council’s General Issues Committee passed the 10-Year Downtown Revitalization Strategy. The strategy was then ratified by City Council on April 22, 2026.
The strategy’s approval is a major achievement for Hamilton. The Strategy and its associated actions are rooted in public and stakeholder consultation, as well as feedback from Hamilton’s City Council.
Key components of the strategy include 67 priority actions and several transformative initiatives, with the highest priority placed on implementing actions within the first five years. The strategy also emphasizes the importance of the City advocating to other levels of government to address systemic community issues that are essential for achieving long‑term revitalization in Downtown Hamilton.
The Economic Development Office is allocating annual funds toward the implementation of the strategy, ensuring the strategy is action-oriented and appropriately supported.
Photo courtesy of HOPA
HOPA Ports and Hamilton Container Terminal Receive CBSA Approval in Principle
City staff and elected officials joined our partners at the Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority to celebrate the Hamilton Container Terminal’s approval in principle of a license to operate a new inland transload terminal for shipping containers.
This approval further strengthens Hamilton’s value proposition as one of Canada’s true multi-modal cities. It will allow for moving containers by rail directly into Hamilton from Canada’s major shipping hubs, including Montreal, Halifax, Saint John, Vancouver, and Prince Rupert. When the transload facility is fully online, it will provide a new export capacity for Hamilton. This will, in turn, position Hamilton as a cost-saving export gateway in Southern Ontario.
In addition to supporting local exporters, this project represents a climate-positive change for Hamilton and Ontario. Once the rail terminal is fully online, it is anticipated to reduce approximately 930,000 truck‑kilometres annually on southern Ontario highways. This will yield an estimated reduction of 1,900 to 3,900 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide emissions each year.
HIPC's Annual Event: Reflecting on Recent Achievements
The Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council (HIPC) celebrated their annual event on April 21.
This event provided an opportunity to reflect on HIPC’s work over the past year, celebrating key achievements since the launch of their 2025-2028 Community Plan, which guides their efforts.
Highlights of the event included a musical performance by Keith Silver, Juno performer and singer‑songwriter from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. The morning also featured reflections on the work of HIPC’s committees, and a plenary session on Immigration and Settlement, moderated by Terri Bedminster (Refuge Newcomer Health), featuring speakers: Amanda Sim, McMaster University, Jemimah Amos, Good Shepherd, Luc Bonaventure Amoussou, Immigrants Working Centre, and Mary Crea‑Aresenio, McMaster University.
Call for Vendors: Hamilton Newcomer Day 2026
Hamilton Newcomer Day is returning this year—and we’re inviting local organizations, community groups, and businesses to participate as vendors.
Newcomer Day is a city‑wide celebration welcoming immigrants, refugees, international students, and all newcomers who have recently made Hamilton their home. The event brings together settlement services, employers, educational institutions, cultural groups, and local entrepreneurs to help newcomers build connections and discover the resources available to them.
- We are currently seeking vendors who can offer:
- Settlement and community supports
- Employment and training opportunities
- Health, education, and family services
- Cultural programming or community engagement
- Products or services that support newcomer integration
Participating as a vendor is a valuable opportunity to share information, meet residents, and help shape an inclusive, welcoming Hamilton.
Would you like to know more?
The Hamilton Economic Development Division serves Hamilton by facilitating sustainable economic and ecological development aligned with the 2022-2026 Council Priorities. This goal is achieved through the attraction of new businesses, the retention and expansion of existing businesses, and the creation of quality employment opportunities.
Economic Development serves established businesses, start-ups, and entrepreneurs. For more information about starting or growing a business in Hamilton, please don’t hesitate to contact our staff through this link.