Hamilton's economy?

[Innsertnamehere]

Looking at the numbers Hamilton has the lowest unemployment number in the province, behind Ottawa (government workers) and, oddly, Sudbury.

Toronto always has a surprisingly high unemployment rate considering its economic dominance though, even before Coronavirus. It’s unemployment rate has probably dropped less than Hamilton’s, though Hamilton’s is still lower.

[thistleclub]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

small businesses took the brunt of this economic downturn.

Via The Globe & Mail:

The coronavirus has been anything but an equal-opportunity job destroyer.

Women, particularly those with lower-paid jobs in the service sector, bore the brunt of initial earnings and employment losses as the retail sector shut down in March, giving rise to the notion of a she-cession.

But the latest monthly Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada is showing a much different divide in the job market, even as broad national unemployment rockets up at an unprecedented rate. The Canadian jobs market has split into two; on one side, hourly paid workers of both genders that are feeling most of the economic pain; on the other, salaried workers that are largely insulated from the employment downturn.

“That’s the demarcation,” said Mikal Skuterud, a University of Waterloo economics professor who analyzed the Statscan data.

That divide is important not just for understanding the nature of the current downturn, but even more so in charting a path for recovery, Prof. Skuterud and other economists say.

Hourly workers have experienced a precipitous drop in hours worked, as the chart below indicates. Women are most affected, with a 39.5-per-cent drop in hours worked between mid-February and mid-April (a figure that includes both job losses and reductions in shifts). But men paid by the hour are nearly as badly off. That group experienced a 35.1-per-cent drop in hours worked between February and April, reflecting in part the gearing down of construction and manufacturing in late March and early April.

But Canadians with salaried jobs live in a much different world. For salaried women, hours worked have dropped by just 12.5 per cent, with much of that decline coming from seasonal patterns that recur each year. The same is true for salaried men, who saw hours worked fall a mere 10 per cent; again, much of that drop can be attributed to seasonal factors.

The split between hourly and salaried workers has important implications for the direction of Canada’s economic recovery, starting with how quickly consumer spending rebounds later this year.

Stephen Brown, senior Canada economist at Capital Economics, said the national savings rate is set to soar to 11 per cent in the second quarter, from 3 per cent in the first quarter. But that steep increase in savings is not likely to result in a later splurge by consumers, he said. That’s because those who are doing the saving – those relatively well-off salaried workers – are much less likely to spend their extra cash.

Another constraining factor, Mr. Brown said, is the pace at which service businesses will reopen, and what their capacity will be under continuing public health restrictions. A simple example: restaurants that need to space out customers to meet physical-distancing requirements will be able to seat fewer people.


The space allocations for liquor license capacities are 1.1 square meters per person, or a two-foot radius.

Two-meter individual physical distancing works out to 4 square meters per, and would reduce restaurants, bars, and clubs to a third of their pre-lockdown capacity.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Things are going to get bad, very bad. So pitting men against women seems extraordinarily counterproductive, does it not? Luckily the vast majority of Canadians aren't so addled by politics that they don't understand that men and women are fully capable of supporting each other through difficult times.

Oh well, let's buckle-up and wait for the He-pression...

[drpgq]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

Looking at the numbers Hamilton has the lowest unemployment number in the province, behind Ottawa (government workers) and, oddly, Sudbury.

Toronto always has a surprisingly high unemployment rate considering its economic dominance though, even before Coronavirus. It’s unemployment rate has probably dropped less than Hamilton’s, though Hamilton’s is still lower.

I'm not sure. Toronto had a pretty robust tourist economy before the virus and Hamilton had virtually none in comparison in terms of economic impact. How many hotel rooms does Toronto have per resident compared to Hamilton? Or AirBnb stays? That's all gone for the foreseeable future.

[johnnyhamont]

Is there public access to, or does someone happen to have handy, current construction costs for towers in Hamilton? Like how much was/is budgeted for 22 George, 154 Main, Platinum on Queen or Cobalt condos? I'm curious how much financial investment is being made specifically in downtown Hamilton through new residential towers.

[SteelTown]

National Steel Car wins big CN contract

Steve Buist
Spectator Reporter

Hamilton’s National Steel Car has obtained a large contract to supply rail cars to CN.

The Hamilton manufacturer will supply 1,150 high-capacity grain hopper cars to the country’s national railway.

The value of the contract was not announced and representatives from National Steel Car did not respond to a request for comment.

“I’m immensely proud that CN has chosen a made-in-Ontario solution to manufacture new generation, high-capacity, grain hopper cars,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford stated. “Ontario made is quality made.”

Hamilton East-Stoney Creek Liberal MP Bob Bratina said his office had worked with CN for two months to help facilitate the deal.

“Today’s announcement is another example of the long-standing relationship between Hamilton and CN,” stated Bratina. “This investment means gainful employment for the skilled trades in our city and a bright future for rail transport in Canada.”

It’s the second order for at least 1,000 grain hopper cars by CN with National Steel Car in the past two years.

National Steel Car’s Hamilton yard is the largest single-site rail car manufacturing plant in North America, employing more than 2,000 people.

CN’s purchase of cars from National Steel Car is part of $1 billion in expenditures the company plans to make in Ontario by the end of 2022.

[Innsertnamehere]

Originally Posted by johnnyhamont

Is there public access to, or does someone happen to have handy, current construction costs for towers in Hamilton? Like how much was/is budgeted for 22 George, 154 Main, Platinum on Queen or Cobalt condos? I'm curious how much financial investment is being made specifically in downtown Hamilton through new residential towers.

That would be available through building permit records if you were willing to go back through the months and find the permit records. Just google “Hamilton building permit activity”.

[drpgq]

https://www.newswire.ca/news-release...834037160.html

Two new fulfillment centres to be built in Ajax and Hamilton

Five new delivery stations are also confirmed for Kitchener, Stoney Creek, Vaughan, Etobicoke and Scarborough

SEATTLE, Sept. 9, 2020 /CNW/ - (NASDAQ: AMZN) - Amazon.com, Inc. today announced plans to open two new fulfillment centres in Hamilton, Ontario and Ajax, Ontario. The new fulfillment centres are anticipated to open in 2021 and will create more than 2,500 new, full-time jobs with competitive hourly wages, comprehensive benefits and an industry-leading workplace. This will bring Amazon's total to 10 fulfillment centres in Ontario and 16 in Canada.

"We're thrilled to continue expanding our operations in Ontario with our newest fulfillment centres in Hamilton and Ajax," said Sumegha Kumar, Director, Canadian Customer Fulfillment Operations, Amazon Canada. "We've had great success with the talented workforce in Ontario, and we look forward to creating an additional 2,500 full-time jobs with competitive pay and benefits starting on day one."

Hamilton Fulfillment Centre
At the new 855,000 square-foot fulfillment centre in Hamilton, more than 1,500 employees will work alongside Amazon robotics to pick, pack and ship small items to customers such as books, electronics and toys.

"I'm pleased that Amazon has chosen to locate its latest fulfillment centre in Hamilton," said Donna Skelly, MPP for Flamborough—Glanbrook. "My riding of Flamborough-Glanbrook has seen unprecedented investment in the past couple of years. This is evidence that business has confidence in Ontario as our government works to chart a path to economic recovery and get people back to work."

"A warm welcome to Amazon," said David Sweet, MP for Flamborough—Glanbrook. "Today's announcement is further proof of the positive growth of Hamilton's economy."

"Thank you, Amazon Canada, for investing in our community," said Fred Eisenberger, Mayor of the City of Hamilton. "This further highlights that Hamilton remains the top destination in the province to grow, innovate and do business. I am pleased that this significant investment will create 1,500 full-time jobs. This is the beginning of a strong partnership with Amazon Canada, and I look forward to our continued collaboration in the future."

Ajax Fulfillment Centre
At this new one million square-foot fulfillment centre, more than 1,000 employees will pack and ship large customer purchases such as sports equipment, patio furniture, fishing rods, pet food, kayaks, bicycles and other household goods.

"Amazon's decision to build a facility in Ajax is great news for our town and Durham Region," said Hon. Rod Phillips, MPP for Ajax. "The 1,000 new, full-time jobs Amazon has committed to are coming at a crucial time. It is a good example of the kind of investment we need in Ontario as the economy recovers from COVID-19."

"On behalf of Ajax Council, I want to express our excitement that Amazon has chosen to invest in Ajax," said Shaun Collier, Mayor of Ajax. "Amazon's name is synonymous with innovation, growth and technology, all of which reflect Council's vision for Ajax. Welcoming a global leader like Amazon will mean so much to the community, keeping employment strong in the Town, and across the Region as we recover from COVID-19. Taking advantage of the Town's PriorityPATH fast-tracked development process, we are accelerating the availability of 1,000 high quality jobs in 2021. Thank you, Amazon – welcome to Ajax!"

"I am excited to hear that Amazon Canada has selected Ajax for their new fulfillment centre," said Hon. Mark Holland, Member of Parliament for Ajax. "A one million square-foot facility will create over 1,000 full time jobs in Ajax, bringing much needed jobs closer to home. This is a clear example of growth in Ajax, making it an ideal spot to live, work, and raise a family."

Further Expansion of Amazon Logistics with Five New Delivery Stations
Amazon also recently added five new nearby delivery stations in Stoney Creek, Kitchener, Vaughan and Toronto (Etobicoke and Scarborough). The Etobicoke site has already launched, and the Kitchener site will launch later this year. The Stoney Creek, Scarborough and Vaughan sites will launch in 2021. Delivery stations power the last mile of Amazon's order fulfillment process. Packages are transported to delivery stations from Amazon fulfillment and sortation centres, and then loaded into vehicles for delivery to customers. The new delivery stations will create hundreds of permanent, full-time and part-time jobs, in addition to offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to build their own small business delivering Amazon packages, and independent contractors the flexibility to be their own boss and create their own schedule delivering for Amazon Flex. To learn more, visit www.logistics.amazon.com and https://flex.amazon.com.

"We're pleased to welcome Amazon, which has chosen to invest in the City of Kitchener through the establishment of one of its new delivery stations," said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. "As a global player in 21st century retail, Amazon's new delivery station will create both new permanent job growth and small business opportunities for local entrepreneurs interested in establishing delivery businesses."

Amazon Employee Benefits and Career Choice Opportunities
Full-time employees at Amazon receive competitive hourly wages, including medical, vision and dental coverage, a group RRSP plan, stock awards, and performance-based bonuses starting on day one. Amazon also offers employees access to innovative programs like Career Choice, where it will pay up to 95 per cent of tuition for courses related to in-demand fields, regardless of whether the skills are relevant to a career at Amazon. Since the program's launch, more than 25,000 employees across the globe have pursued degrees in game design and visual communications, nursing, IT programming and radiology, to name a few.

Amazon Canada: Economic and Community Investment
Amazon is proud to call Canada home. In total, Amazon employs more than 21,000 full- and part-time employees at the company's fulfillment centres, corporate offices and development centres in Canada.

Between 2010 and 2019, Amazon has invested more than CAD $11 billion in Canada, including infrastructure and compensation to our employees. Amazon's expenditures in Canada in 2019 have created an estimated 24,000 jobs at firms other than Amazon.

Amazon's worldwide fulfillment network supports businesses of all sizes through its Fulfillment by Amazon offering, and many of those local businesses are based in Canada. There are more than 30,000 authors, small and medium-sized businesses, and developers in Canada growing their companies and reaching new customers with Amazon products and services.

To learn more about working at an Amazon fulfillment centre, visit www.amazondelivers.jobs.

About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

SOURCE Amazon Canada


For further information: amazon-pr@amazon.com

Related Links
http://www.amazon.com

[SteelTown]

'Historic investment' will make Hamilton home to Canada's largest sugar refinery
SucroCan Sourcing is spending $135 million to build the 20-acre plant, expected to open by 2025

https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...a735afdaa.html

Hamilton will soon be home to Canada’s largest sugar refinery.

SucroCan Sourcing unveiled its plan Tuesday to build a new, $135-million processing plant on a plot of land along the Hamilton Harbour, marking a historic investment for the local industrial sector.

[SteelTown]

Sucro Can to build refinery in Canada

https://www.bakingbusiness.com/artic...nery-in-canada

TORONTO — Sucro Can Sources LLC, an integrated sugar refiner, said it plans to build Canada’s largest sugar refinery in Southern Ontario with annual refining capacity of 1 million tonnes. The cost of the plant was estimated at $100 million.

“Sucro is demonstrating supply chain innovation and a willingness to invest in new refining capacity in both Canada and the United States,” said Jonathan Taylor, founder and chief executive officer of Sucro Sourcing. “We have been strongly supported by our extremely loyal and growing customer base. The sugar markets in both Canada and the United States are experiencing steady, long-term, sustainable growth, and Sucro is investing to supply these growing market demands.

“Despite the steady market growth, overall refining capacity in both Canada and the United States has been stagnant for years. In particular, the demand for sugar in the Ontario market is growing at what we believe is the fastest rate in North America. We also believe a modern, new refinery in Ontario will be very well placed to service any potential market demand for refined sugar in the US market, and fully utilize Sucro’s highly integrated supply chain already in place to service customers in the US market.

The refinery is expected to open in 2025 with production brought up to capacity as market demand dictates.

“Due to Sucro’s successful low-cost focus in building its previous sugar refineries, including the recently opened sugar refinery in Lackawana, NY, this new Ontario refinery will not need to be fully utilized shortly after opening,” said Don Hill, chairman of Sucro. “Instead, Sucro will patiently add production based on growing market demand, including any potential export opportunities to the United States.”

Sucro Sourcing has a production, sales and sourcing network across North America, two refineries and a processing facility.

[Innsertnamehere]

Great news - especially since it's a new business in the lower city industrial area. That area needs all the employment it can get - but man, 20 jobs for a $135 million factory. Must be highly automated.

In other news, there was recently a FC for Bridgestone to double the size of their warehouse in Ancaster:

File Number FCSP-23-094
Application Type Formal Consultation
Address 1020 OSPREY DR
File Year 2023
Description To construct a 44,158 m2 addition (Phase 2) to the existing 42,317sm warehouse and distribution facility with accessory office space located at 1020 Osprey Drive.

[ScreamingViking]

One has to wonder how long Redpath's plant in Toronto will last. That land must be worth a mint now that the development wave is in full swing in that part of town.

[craftbeerdad]

Their existing facility next door to Collective Arts should be a prime facility for acquisition but the article mentions insinuating HOPA would absorb it.

“adapted for another port use,”

Which leads to the question, what deal did Sucro get for the new facility for trading in their old one?

[ScreamingViking]

Pier 15 is where Heddle operates. I wonder, are they moving too? With the Stelco lands opening up privately and the new pier over Randle Reef, there is flexibility, but the sugar plant seems to be slated for an area that's already got a number of uses.
https://www.hopaports.ca/locations/p...ton-directory/
https://maps.app.goo.gl/iCwHrVd4PcKSaoGV9

Nevermind. The HOPA site has a map in their story (one of three images but they auto-scroll and won't paste here):
https://www.hopaports.ca/sucrocan-so...ugar-refinery/

[SteelTown]

https://investinhamilton.ca/blog/202...el=tw-29490009

[SteelTown]

New sugar refinery to be built in Hamilton will be Canada's largest, says company
Port authority head says Ontario companies are 'craving' the sweet
supply

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamil...lton-1.7085718

A new sugar refinery set to open in Hamilton's port lands in 2025 is promising to be Canada's largest, with capacity to produce 4,000 tonnes of refined sugar per day, or 1 million per year.

The Sucro Can Sourcing facility, at the foot of Hamilton's Sherman Street North, will use Randle Reef as an active part of its operation.

The section of the harbour was once the most contaminated site on the Canadian side of the Great Lakes. A massive clean-up project began in 2016.

Its use for the new refinery signals the pending end of the process to dredge and enclose it, and then hand it over to the Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA) to manage.

At a news conference Tuesday announcing details of the new operation, HOPA president and chief executive officer Ian Hamilton said the enclosed reef would be used as a "dock wall" for ships bringing sugar to the facility.

HOPA vice-president of corporate affairs Larissa Fenn told CBC Hamilton that the contaminated area, which has been surrounded by walls and dredged, hadn't been capped yet, but would be in time for the plant's opening.

Plant to create 50 to 75 new jobs
Hamilton said the plant, which comes after a $135 million investment from Sucro Can and HOPA, could have a $1-billion ripple effect on Ontario's economy, when it comes to other agri-food businesses choosing to locate near one of the country's few sugar refineries.

"Many companies have been craving this kind of sugar supply," he said, speaking in a Sucro Can building at the port, in front of a screen showing mesmerizing videos of construction machines digging in a mountain of sugar. Hamilton's port already hosts about a dozen agri-food businesses, he said.

Sucro Can already runs a much smaller refinery in the Hamilton port lands, beside Collective Arts Brewery on Ferguson Avenue North. That operation, which produces about 100,000 tonnes a year and employs about 50 people, will be wound down once the new refinery opens around fall 2025, says Sucro Can founder and CEO Jonathan Taylor. Those employees will join 50 to 75 new workers at the larger facility, says Taylor.

He says the vast majority of sugar refined at the plant will be destined for Ontario's growing agri-food sector, a factor that played into the decision to locate the plant in Hamilton.

"We're not here to disrupt the market but will be capturing the growth going forward," he said, while adding some refined sugar from Hamilton will also be destined for export.

.....

[ScreamingViking]

More port-related economic development.

The Spec's story is below, but here is the link to HOPA's version.


Hamilton's standing as agrifood sector hub gets boost as grain-handling giant announces expansion
Parrish and Heimbecker will break ground on new flour mill, two storage silos next spring

https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...e32df9d77.html

Sebastian Bron
The Hamilton Spectator
Friday, February 16, 2024



A new flour mill set to be built at the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA) marks the city’s latest push to solidify itself as an agrifood business hub.

Beyond another mill, the expansion project announced Thursday by grain-handling giant Parrish and Heimbecker will also include two new storage silos dedicated to processing essential ingredients such as soymeal and distillers.

Ground is expected to be broken on the developments at the company’s Pier 10 site — near Burlington Street East and Ferguson Avenue North — next spring.

“Our ongoing commitment to the Canadian agricultural landscape is exemplified through this expansion in Hamilton,” John Heimbecker, CEO of Parrish and Heimbecker, said in a press release. “We are not just expanding our infrastructure; we are investing in the future of Canadian agriculture and the baking industry.”

Hamilton became home to the first new flour mill built in Ontario in more than seven decades after Parrish and Heimbecker erected a 10,000-square-foot facility at the north end of Wellington Street in 2015, a $45-million development that increased the group’s processing capacity by 25 per cent.

The company — in operation for more than a century and the largest Canadian-owned milling group, with mills across the county — doubled its local footprint in 2020 with the addition of a second mill and increased storage at the port.

The latest developments will strengthen the company’s standing as the single-largest user of Ontario wheat, Heimbecker noted.

...

[ScreamingViking]

Positives...


Rebound in business licences 'positive sign' for Hamilton economy
Data signals many sectors that suffered during the pandemic are now showing signs of bouncing back.

https://www.thespec.com/business/ham...33b35ebc0.html

Fallon Hewitt
The Hamilton Spectator
Wednesday, March 6, 2024


The City of Hamilton issued more than 10,000 business licences in 2023 — the most in a single year since before the pandemic.

Data obtained by The Spectator shows that 10,030 businesses were issued licences to operate last year, marking the first time the city has hit five digits since 2019.

Most of the businesses that require a licence fall under the city’s public health and safety regulatory and inspection regime, including restaurants, salons and taxis — meaning the data does not capture or tell the full story of the local economy.

But it does signal that several sectors that suffered during the pandemic are now showing signs of bouncing back.

The number of business licences issues by the city plummeted amid COVID restrictions, falling to 8,262 in 2020 and further to 8,008 in 2021. In 2019, 10,163 were doled out.

They began to climb in 2022, when 9,191 were issued, according to the data.

Norm Schleehahn, the city’s director of economic development, told The Spectator the 2023 tally is a “positive sign” parts of the local economy are getting back to pre-pandemic levels.

“Businesses appear to be optimistic about the future,” said Schleehahn. “It’s taken a bit of time to get here, but that confidence is there.”

Hospitality sector grows with 'strong demand'

The city’s hospitality sector saw the greatest growth in business licences last year, according to the data.

The number of food service vehicles (food trucks) surged, with 217 licences issued last year, up by 144 per cent from 89 in 2021.

Schleehahn said that reflects the state of events amid the pandemic, which saw festivals and celebrations either cancelled or downsized due to gathering limits.

However, Schleehahn noted that some of the growth could be connected to the cost of doing business, as food trucks are more manageable.

“Many businesses are looking at smaller venues and lower rents,” he said. “Food trucks also offer the chance to follow the customer, experiment with different things at events and they still feed into the city’s foodie culture.”

While many well-known restaurants have closed in the city over the past few years, the number of licences issued for eateries was up to 1,617 in 2023. That's a 24 per cent increase over 2021 when 1,301 were doled out.

Schleehahn noted some restaurants shut down due to financial difficulties, while others closed as owners decided to retire.

But in either case, Schleehahn said the spaces left behind often “don’t stay empty for long,” pointing to the former home of Ray’s Place on Dundurn Street South.

Licence growth 'good news' for city

Schleehahn noted the city data excludes larger businesses that opened in Hamilton in the past few years, including commercial businesses and retailers.

However, Schleehahn said the recovery of smaller businesses, such as restaurants, shows there is a “strong sense of confidence” for those looking at setting up shop in Hamilton.

“The general business climate in the city has been very good over the last while,” he said, pointing to the city surpassing $2 billion worth of construction last year. “And I see that getting stronger as we go along.”

Simon Gaudreault, chief economist at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), told The Spectator that while business creation in the city is “good news,” the data does not reflect the gruelling environment that entrepreneurs are facing.

Those challenges include rising costs, high interest rates, pandemic loan repayments and sluggish spending by consumers — all of which come on the heels of COVID.

“They are at the end of an ultra-marathon and we’re asking them to run another mile,” said Gaudreault. “Some might have to make hard decisions and throw in the towel.”

Bouncing back

Over 10,000 businesses were issued licences to operate last year, marking the first time Hamilton has hit five digits since the pandemic. Here's a look at some sectors that saw a significant bump:

................................2021....2022.....2023
Total licences.............8,008....9,191....10,030
Eating establishment..1,301....1,548......1,617
Food Service vehicles......89.......161........217
Taxi cab owner.............433.......446.........615
Taxi drivers..................925....1,081......1,155
Mobile sign rental.............9..........8...........13
Personal care facilities...656.......774.........779

...


[Posting tables here SUCKS!!! and I'm too stubborn to take a screen capture of it, save it, and post a link to the image]