ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & CUSTOMER SERVICE

Mission Statement

The mission of Economic Development and Customer Service is to build economic prosperity by enabling innovation, education, enterprise, and investment in St. Catharines.

• View the St. Catharines Community Profile
• View the St. Catharines Downtown Creative Cluster Master Plan

Organizational Structure

Division(s)

Office of the City Clerk

The Office of the CIty Clerk is responsible for all official records of the municipality, including by-laws, agreements and contracts, and is the co-ordinator for Municipal Freedom of Information requests. This office conducts the municipal and school board elections in accordance with the Municipal Election Act. The Office of the CIty Clerk is the initial contact point for the public.

Additional functions of the Office of the City Clerk include:

• Provide the secretariat services to serve City Council
• Preparation of Council and General Committee agendas
• Recording of the minutes of Council and General Committee meetings
• Tracking, preparation and distribution of correspondence and/or directives of Council
• Co-ordination of appointments to the boards and committees of Council
• Administration of the school crossing guard program
• Acts as a division registrar for the Provincial Registrar General's Office for death registrations and the issuance of marriage licenses
• Business and lottery licences
• Canine control
• Commissioner of Oath services.

Economic Development

The Economic Development division is responsible for the attraction of new businesses to St. Catharines, as well as encouraging the expansion and retention of existing businesses within the community. The Division works closely with businesses in order to bring together the right tools necessary that best suit business and community needs before, during, and after establishing an operation in St. Catharines.

Economic Development is also responsible for:

• Family Physician Recruitment
  The Physician Recruitment Division administers the Physician Recruitment Incentive Program. St. Catharines is a designated underserviced community and many financial incentives are available to physicians under the provincial government's physician relocation programs.

• Market and Events
  The Market and Events division oversees the operation of the St. Catharines Market Square and plans key events, such as the annual Santa Claus Parade, Canada Day and Volunteer Recognition Night.

Enterprise Centre

The St. Catharines Enterprise Centre (SCEC) provides the information, resources and tools that entrepreneurs need to launch and grow their businesses.  We are a proud member of Ontario's Business Support Network and local community partner for the Canada Youth Business Foundation and Summer Company programs.

Tourism Services

The Tourism division provides marketing and development services, and identifies resources to promote and grow the tourism industry in St. Catharines.

Director

The role of the Director of Economic Development and Customer Service is to: 

• Be an ambassador of the City during site visitations
• Be a link between industry players
• Promote partnerships with economic development agencies on local and global stages
• Act as a liaison between businesses and provincial and federal governments
• Generate awareness of advantages of operating a business in St. Catharines