Start a Business in Niagara 2025 — Complete Regional Guide & City Directory
Start a Business in Niagara 2025
Complete regional guide with city-specific costs, permits, grants, and opportunities
🏛️ Choose Your Niagara Municipality
⚠️ Critical Difference: Fort Erie Licensing
11 of 12 Municipalities
$0 Licence Fee
Fort Erie Only
$152 Required
🌉 Fort Erie
Only city requiring general business licence ($152). Peace Bridge access to US markets, border tourism opportunities.
Best for: Import/export, cross-border services, manufacturing
🏛️ St. Catharines
Niagara's largest city (140k+). SBEC hub location. University town with educated workforce and consumer market.
Best for: Professional services, education sector, regional headquarters
🌊 Niagara Falls
30+ million annual visitors. World's tourism capital with unmatched customer base for hospitality, retail, entertainment businesses.
Best for: Tourism services, restaurants, retail, entertainment
⚙️ Welland
Industrial city with Welland Canal access. Manufacturing heritage, skilled workforce, deep-water shipping to Great Lakes.
Best for: Manufacturing, logistics, industrial services
🏛️ Thorold
Historic downtown revitalization zone. Highway 58 corridor access, canal heritage tourism, early mover opportunities.
Best for: Historic retail, professional services, light manufacturing
🛣️ Grimsby
QEW corridor advantage, 45 minutes to Toronto. Wine region proximity, distribution hub potential.
Best for: Distribution, professional services, wine tourism
Additional Municipalities
💰 Regional Startup Costs Overview
Essential Package
Minimum to get started
| Ontario Business Registration | $60–$80 |
| Municipal Licence (Fort Erie only) | $0–$152 |
| Equipment & Setup | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Marketing & Branding | $500–$2,000 |
| Banking & Communication | $150–$500 |
Professional Package
Recommended for success
| + General Liability Insurance | $400–$2,000/yr |
| + Legal Consultation | $500–$3,000 |
| + Accounting Setup | $300–$1,500 |
| + Professional Website | $1,000–$5,000 |
🎯 Available Grants & Funding
💰 Starter Company Plus
What: Comprehensive 12-week program
Includes: Training, mentorship, business funding
Eligibility: Ontario residents 18+
Apply: St. Catharines Enterprise Centre
🎓 Summer Company
What: Student entrepreneur support
Eligibility: Students 15-29
Season: May-August operation
Applications: February-March
💻 Digital Service Squad
What: Digital transformation support
Covers: Website, e-commerce, social media
Perfect for: Traditional → Digital
Assessment: Digital readiness review
🏭 Industrial Incentives
What: Manufacturing development support
Includes: Development charge grants, tax incentives
For: Industrial builds and expansions
Contact: Niagara Economic Development
💡 Stack Your Grants for Maximum Impact
Apply for multiple programs simultaneously for maximum funding potential
Total Available: $10,500+ in Combined Grant Funding