As we reflect on the past few years in Lincoln, I am filled with pride at the remarkable progress we’ve made. Our local businesses have displayed resilience and optimism, and the Town has remained steadfast in its commitment to support them through targeted policies, programs, and grant opportunities aimed at igniting our local economy.
In Lincoln, we embrace an “open for business” philosophy supported by a robust Economic Development Strategy & Action Plan. Our goal is to cultivate a community where residents, visitors, and businesses feel welcomed, supported, and encouraged. We take great pride in nurturing relationships with community members, businesses, non-profit groups, and government entities at all levels.
Through our persistent advocacy efforts, we have secured investments to alleviate the burden on local taxpayers and foster local growth and development. We look forward to continuing this momentum as we progress through 2024.
As highlighted in this publication, our community is thriving with various economic and social activities. I invite you to learn more about the initiatives and priorities led by the Town in the sections dedicated to Lincoln. Stay informed by visiting our website at Lincoln.ca and engage with us at SpeakUpLincoln.ca
I am immensely proud of our community’s collective vision and commitment to fostering prosperity. Lincoln stands as a beacon of growth and opportunity in the Niagara region.
I am excited to share some of our progress from 2023: from enhancing our tourism identity, the Niagara Benchlands, to fostering a collaborative Destination Marketing Organization with the City of St. Catharines and advancing initiatives such as our Youth Skills Studio and the Digital Main Street programs.
Central to our focus is the ongoing support of our local business community. Lincoln’s economy thrives on its diverse sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Our Work in Lincoln program, launched last year, aims to address the labour shortage by connecting job seekers with local employers, resulting in economic growth and prosperity.
Together, let’s continue to build a prosperous and resilient community in Lincoln.
As we progress into 2024, we will continue to be guided by our updated strategic plan for the years 2022-2026. The refreshed plan, aligned with our vision of a Place to Grow, a Place to Prosper, and a Place to Belong, focuses on fostering a Welcoming and Connected, Vibrant and Prosperous, and Responsible and Resilient community.
These pillars serve as the foundation upon which we build a thriving future for all residents. Lincoln embodies boldness, inclusivity, and innovation, setting the standard for the future of Niagara and charting a course towards a brighter tomorrow.
As Lincoln's economic powerhouse, the Chamber fuels success for businesses of all sizes - fostering prosperity and forging vital connections.
With dynamic networking events like
“Business Before 9”s,
“Business After 5”s, and new this year -
“Business In Between”s (for those who need to make connections during traditional working hours), the Chamber offers a platform for meaningful connections and collaborative ventures.
Alongside flagship events like the Chamber Cup Golf Tournament, benefitting local nonprofits, the prestigious Outstanding Business Achievement Awards Gala, the Annual Mayor's State of the Town address, and the Politician's Breakfast, members have ample opportunities to celebrate successes and engage with local leaders and politicians.
Beyond events, members also enjoy exclusive discounts from partners like Meridian Credit Union, Esso, and UPS, as well as access to affordable employee benefit programs and insurance options.
Dive into the Chamber membership websitethe go-to hub for resources, events, and networking. Stay informed with the monthly newsletter –delivered straight to your inbox with info on local events, member perks and benefits.
Whether you're a seasoned business owner, entrepreneur or just starting out, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce is your gateway to a thriving community filled with endless possibilities.
If you’re ready to see what the Chamber’s all about - visit www.lincolnchamber.ca or email info@lincolnchamber.ca for more information.
At the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, we're all about fostering economic prosperity and building strong connections that drive success.
As a vibrant non-profit organization, we're powered by our passionate members – over 200 local businesses, civic champions, and tourism pioneers –all dedicated to shaping the future of our beloved town.
Tourism, industrial/greenhouses, housing development, working closely with Downtown Bench Beamsville BIA – Town of Lincoln has a multi-pronged approach to economic development.
In these times of not only rapid development but, in many ways, the greased track of growth, it is more important than ever to have ones economic and planning ducks in a row so when the flow of growth washes over the community it can be handled physically, socially and financially.
The main reason for this is, anymore, municipalities - especially town councils – have very little say in the structure of what gets developed. Provincial guidelines have evolved constantly just in the last few years and dissolved controls which councils used to be able to exercise as they attempt to monitor and shape planning in their communities.
When projects can be approved by a local planning department with no
approvals from a council, that’s a major impact on controls.
For residents, it creates a lack of accountability for such decisions because the elected officials sometimes have little or no input.
Years ago when Mayor Sandra Easton was elected, she steered council down a path of developing a plan - a roster of priorities. Since then, council and town staff have worked that plan.
This was not just over the one term of council, but three.
The results are coming in what you see around you.
It’s not easy and is, at times, definitely not fun. Planning anything in advance is the heavy lifting which goes on so 10, 20 or 50 years down the road you don’t even notice why something looks or feels good; it just is.
There are always those who hate any level of change. That is hard to avoid. It is coming. It’s inevitable. However, change can bring very good things if you’re set up for success.
to every home & business in Lincoln.
Grimsby Office: 1 Mountain St. Grimsby, ON. L3M 3J6 Ph: 289-235-9500 Publisher Mike Williscraft General Manager
Catherine Bratton Sales Consultant
Erica Huisman Graphics
Donna Wisnoski
Beamsville’s Community Pharmacy was created with one vision; “community first” to serve the health and well-being needs of the community.
The pharmacy, which includes Siva Sivapalan among its team, will be a training site for future pharmacists from University of Toronto and University of Waterloo - where Sivapalan is a clinical preceptor.
Pharmacist Kumar Chorawala says the pharmacy was designed to carry all the traditional needs for the community and then some.
“This pharmacy offers many of the same services a traditional pharmacy offers such as dispensing of prescription medicines, vaccinations against influenza, COVID-19 and many more that pharmacists are authorized to do,” said Chorawala.
“We have invested significantly in building a purpose-built compounding lab which means we are able to compound medicines that aren’t commercially available of which there are many for both animal and human use.”
It’s location at 4987 King St. in the heart of downtown Beamsville comes with plenty of parking off North Lane,
of the
Team (L
Phar-
Henal Patel, pharmacist; Kajal Bhardwaj, pharmacist; Cathy Shaw, pharmacy assistant; Siva Sivapalan, pharmacy manager, and Kumar Chorawala, pharmacist.
across from Bill Rannie Square. The building itself, built in 1900, had renovations in 1930 and 1960. Most recently it was the home of Action Print, which moved over to Mountain Street. The pharmacy is fully independent and locally owned pharmacy.
“We hope that the Town will grow as fond off Beamsville’s Community Pharmacy as it was of its predescessors - Mountain Variety and Action Print,” said Chorawala.
“We welcome them to stop in and say, ‘Hi’.”.
The Town of Lincoln is a thriving community in west Niagara and boasts a healthy and diverse economy. From exceptionally productive agricultural and horticultural sectors to manufacturing, value-added agricultural businesses, and tourism, Lincoln is on the move.
Home to more than 25,000 people, the Town of Lincoln is located in the Niagara region on the south shore of Lake Ontario. The QEW, a vital cross-border Canada-US corridor, transects the community’s north end. Lincoln is the sixth most populated of Niagara’s 12 municipalities, outpacing the Region’s growth rate as a whole in growth from 2016 to 2021. Over the past two decades, Lincoln has grown steadily, with a 24.8% per cent increase since 2001.
Lincoln’s key economic and employment sectors are agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Lincoln boasts the highest concentration of greenhouses in Niagara and dominates the greenhouse floriculture production in Ontario.
Lincoln’s vision – a Place to Grow, a Place to Prosper, a Place to Belong – represents the economic and social advantage to live and do business in Lincoln. Our vibrant and prosperous community prides itself on having policies and procedures in place that help foster growth and development in our entire economy.
(Statcan 2022)
25,946
UNEMPLOYMENT
(Statcan 2023) 5.8%
Number of BUSINESSES (Statcan 2023) 1,046 JOBS in Lincoln (Lightcast 2023) 16,113
The Town of Lincoln has secured $152,500 for local businesses thanks to the fourth round of the Digital Transformation Grant (DTG) through the Digital Main Street program. A total of 61 local Lincoln businesses received the $2,500 DTG 4.0 since August of 2022.
The Digital Service Squad has assisted businesses in Lincoln to:
» Develop a Google My Business profile
» Enhance their social media presence
» Provide support for basic website and e-commerce set-up
» Apply for the Digital Transformation Grant
In partnership with Civiconnect, a local not-for-profit organization, the Town of Lincoln received over $2M in 2021, $2.5M in 2022 and an additional $2.9M in 2023 of funding from the Province of Ontario’s Skills Development Fund to develop and run the Youth Skills Studio (YSS).
The YSS is a work-integrated learning environment that provides paid employment to youth aged 15-29 to work on technology-based projects for local businesses. The program is designed to support youth retention and talent attraction here in our community, while also supporting our local businesses to grow and enhance their digital presence.
Email economicdevelopment@lincoln.ca to find out how the Youth Skills Studio can assist.
To date, the Youth Skills Studio has:
» Hired 450 youth participants
» Provided 300,000 work-integrated opportunities
» Delivered over 250 projects to local businesses
Interested in website development, IT administration and digital marketing services for your business offered through the Youth Skills Studio?
In 2023, the Town of Lincoln Economic Development Office, in partnership with the Employment Help Centre, launched the Work in Lincoln program to help connect local employers to talented job seekers in the area. The Workinlincoln.ca website allows local employers to create an account and submit job postings at their own leisure, while also allowing job seekers to apply for job postings and join the resume database.
In part of the Work in Lincoln initiative, the Town also hosted two Job Fairs in the Spring and the Fall to further help fill vacancies and careers in the Town of Lincoln’s local economy. Both Job Fairs were hosted at Great Lakes Christian High School and saw over 900 total attendees connect with 67 local employers throughout the two events.
For more than 45 years, the team at Bert Vis Flooring has been serving the needs of Niagara.
While service and quality of their products have been consistent, the staff did have a change in 2017 when founders Bert and Joan Vis retired, selling the business to the couple’s son, Ralph, and his wife, Jane. Since then, Ralph and Jane have carried on the traditions which customers from Fort Erie to Burlington have come to expect.
Over the years, their offering has evolved to include much more than just
• Tool Rentals
• Sinks & Faucets, and;
• Flooring Supplies for Contractors
“All of the products and services we offer are backed up with decades of experience in the flooring industry,” said Ralph.
“We are happy to offer our best advice to assist our customers with every decision from design suggestions to install tips.
The Bert Vis Team is fully prepared to manage the installation process for any product they sell, but they can also supply the homeowner with every component to support a do-it-yourself initiative.
smoothly. Sometimes, we can save our DIY customers headaches by posing questions they hadn’t thought of at first,” said Jane.
“That is what experience can do. We’ve done it all over the years.”
On occasion, people find that a do-it-yourself project gets the best of them and an emergency call comes in.
“Some customers have flooring they need installed, but they did not buy it from here and we are happy to help them with that,” said Ralph.
“Whether it’s planned or an emergency, we are able
tractor’s section where they have tools and supplies available for contractors.
Operating a small business is never easy, but the fact Bert Vis Flooring is still thriving after more than 45 years is a testament to the quality of their products and service.
“We are a family run business with multiple family members working for us, so we strive to treat everyone who walks in the door as if they are part of our family,” said Ralph.
“I think that is one of the major reasons why we have so many repeat customers. People appreciate the extra effort we put in
(previously Lincoln Hearing Clinic)
Fleming Building - 4413 Ontario Street Suite #103, Beamsville
These days, Lincoln certainly is a happening place. New development and the ongoing infrastructure needs have been key for my role at the Region Road improvements, which I have advocated for and in many cases long overdue, are moving forward throughout our municipality
My focus as your Regional Councillor remains the continued and ongoing efforts to ensure safe roads for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, particularly around schools. Community Safety Zones remain an important part of these initiatives
I am pleased to be serving for our community in the following roles at Niagara Region:
• Chair, Corporate Services
• Member: Planning, Public Works, Audit, Procedural by-law & Waste Management
• Past Chair and Board member, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA)
• Niagara’s representative for SWIFT, and on the AMO Board of Directors
(905) 563 7219 robert.foster@niagararegion.ca
As you pass any of the facades of Donna’s Fashions three retail shops, one is immediately drawn to her marvelous window displays of elegant clothing.
When customers walk inside, an array of unique quality clothes and accessories are always on display and you’re greeted with a warm smile by an experienced salesperson ready to help with your shopping.
“Our employees are more than just advisers; they are talented stylists with lots of knowledge about our clothes and can help you build a wardrobe that will fit your body shape and needs,” says shop owner Donna Butler.
Picking up a few outfits to try on won’t be hard as the styles that Donna offers are timeless and fashionable. It’s when you put it on and feel the quality and tailoring that you realize the pricing is on point.
“I always strive to bring the most value to the tag,” says Donna.
As well, Donna only brings high-quality designer clothing, such as Montreal designer brands; Joseph Ribkoff, Frank Lyman and Uchuu. The majority of her inventory is Canadian. Donna is passionate when it comes to purchasing quality Canadian
collections.
“I recognize the importance of buying local and I think lots of people in our area do too,” she says.
Donna’s mission is to dress her clientele with style and elegance for high-end events or even just for a visit to the grocery store.
She herself takes pride in always being well put together with gorgeous garments.
Visit one of the three locationsGrimsby, Winona and Fonthill - and discover how Donna’s Fashion can upgrade your wardrobe with a few pieces we are sure, will bring you many compliments.
While there, be sure to pick up your own Donna’s Fashions loyalty card, too!
When Mountaineer Movers celebrated 41 years of business in 2019, the team looked back into its past to remind themselves of the history the company has drawn from.
In 1951, Harry Mans immigrated to Canada from Holland with his family.
Harry’s first job was to work on the farm that sponsored them when they came to Canada.
“As our family got older, Harry saw the need for his family to work together. The family started delivering mail routes, then newspaper routes and soon flowers as well,” as Sarah Mans-Keddie recalls her late mother, Wendy Mans-Keddie, telling her.
“One day Harry saw an advertisement for a moving business that was up for sale. After some careful deliberation, he purchased the business name, Mountaineer Movers. Thus, the ‘family’ business began!”
The family’s consideration of their customers is what sets them apart.
“As a family, we understand and realize that moving can be one of the MOST stressful times in a person’s life,” says Sarah.
“We strive to remember that we are servicing a wide variety of people and demographics and they are confronting a major change in their lives. They are leaving a place they have called home for a new and unfamiliar place that will soon become their new haven.”
Sarah’s father, Andrew, who has over 40 years of experience, does all in-home estimates as well as Tom Ensign, an employee of several years, with Sarah overseeing the office administration.
“We would not be a moving company without our movers – our ‘guys’. These men make Mountaineer a continuing success,” notes Sarah.
The company’s philosophy
is simple, she noted, success is honesty.
“All in all – trust your instincts and treat all those around you, whether they are family, customers, or employees with respect, dignity and encouragement. This is our philosophy on running a successful and prosperous business,” says Andrew.
Andrew Keddie (holding Lola), with his daughter Sarah Mans-Keddie (holding Abby), late wife Wendy Mans-Keddie.
In December 2023, Town of Lincoln Council passed a resolution to establish a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for the Town in collaboration with St. Catharines. This DMO will promote the Niagara Benchlands to various travel segments, helping to grow our local visitor economy, ensuring jobs and economic prosperity for our community.
The DMO is progressing well, and we will provide updates throughout the year.
The Town of Lincoln, in partnership with the Downtown Bench Beamsville BIA, have launched the “Big Benches” at various key locations in Lincoln. Many thanks to the Twenty Valley Tourism Association (TVTA) for helping to secure funding from the Government of Canada’s Community Revitalization Fund.
The Big Benches are designed to draw visitors to tourism attractions and are perfect for capturing memorable photos to share on social media platforms and draw even more tourists to experience the beauty and charm of Lincoln. The Benches will also play a key role in shaping Lincoln’s tourism brand, the Niagara Benchlands.
For a list of Big Bench locations, visit lincoln.ca/ BigBenches
The Town of Lincoln’s population increase between 2016 and 2021 exceeded previous growth targets as established in the 2016 Lincoln Official Plan and exceeded overall growth across Niagara Region.
As the Town progresses through the Official Plan Review process, it remains crucial to recognize the importance of accommodating increased residential growth, particularly through the construction of medium to high-density housing, aligning with provincial directives.
» Increased residential growth is forecasted over the 30-year planning period, with an average of 327 new residential units forecasted to be added to the Town’s housing supply each year.
» The magnitude and pace of this growth necessitates a plan for building healthy and balanced communities
and maintaining and improving our quality of life while adapting to the demographic shift underway.
» The areas with the greatest intensification potential in Lincoln are in the Prudhommes and Beamsville Urban Areas.
By prioritizing diverse housing solutions, the Town of Lincoln can ensure that residents of all backgrounds and lifestyles find a place to call home within our community.
At its core, this project aims to support the servicing demands for the approved Prudhommes Secondary Plan. By upgrading and installing new watermains, the Town is not only creating homes and vibrant neighbourhoods but also fostering new businesses, generating employment opportunities, and nurturing a strong sense of community among our residents.
Approximately 73% of project expenses will be covered by Development Charges. The remaining 27% will be funded by the water reserve, with an understanding that residents in Jordan and Vineland will also benefit from the upgrade. The Town is also actively pursuing federal grants for watermain funding to further offset the project costs. This strategic funding approach ensures that the burden of financing the watermain project does not fall on the existing tax base.
Employers – gain access to top qualified job seekers in the area. Post your job openings to reach qualified candidates. Browse through our resume database to find your perfect candidate.
Visiting Volunteers provides one to one support to the client and caregiver, in person or by phone. We serve those of any age living with a life limiting or progressive illness in our community. All volunteers complete extensive Hospice Palliative Care Ontario training and undergo a vulnerable sector police check.
Our Bereavement Program, A Hand Along the Way is a place for you to share your grief with others who understand what you are going through. Under the guidance of volunteer facilitators, you have a space to share your grief and receive support. Our Bereavement groups are held in:
Legacy Program: Everyone has a story to tell. Our trained volunteers help you tell yours and create a free keepsake book for family and friends.
• Beamsville;
• Grimsby;
• Smithville, and;
• Vineland
Donations can be made in person, by mail or through our website: Rose Cottage Visiting Volunteers, 4289 Hixon Street P.O. Box 4, Beamsville Ontario L0R 1B0 www.rosecottagevolunteers.com We gratefully accept donations of securities to support our programs Contact us to learn more
Client/Caregiver Testimonial:
“Thank you for all you did to provide comfort, joy, companionship, assistance, peace … and dignity to my dad in his last journey in life. Thank you for providing a few hours each week for me to have a somewhat normal life. You are always gracious and accommodating” - Jan
Volunteer Testimonial:
“I decided to volunteer with Rose Cottage after visiting my husband in hospital and realized that there are many people that do not have any visiting relatives or friends. I love to interact with people and it makes me happy when I know that I can make a difference by volunteering with Rose Cottage” - Barbro
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Communities depend on volunteers. People who give their time, talent and passion to contribute to making their neighbourhoods, their communities and their towns a better place to live.
Volunteers run sports and arts programs. They create and participate in fundraisers for charities that help our vulnerable neighbours.
They raise money to build projects like playgrounds, community centres and hospitals. They organize celebrations and festivals; they provide support and companionship.
They stack shelves with food, prepare breakfasts for hungry children, and hold the hands of lonely seniors. Volunteers sit on boards of charities and service organizations.
Volunteers are leaders and followers, doers, and visionaries. Volunteers are the lifeblood of our communities.
Take a moment and think of all the
“When we contribute to our own community, our home community, we all reap the rewards,”
John Armstrong
places, things, events and support in our community that depend on volunteers. Look around and you will see volunteers are nneded everywhere.
If there were no volunteers Lincoln would be much the worse for it. Yet today more than ever before we struggle to get volunteers.
Since the pandemic attracting volunteers has been a serious challenge for many community organizations. I get it, we got accustomed to staying home and focussing on ourselves.
We experience community virtually through social media and find people across the country and around the world that share our interests. But
our own backyard matters too. And the value we all receive from coming together in person to help, to inspire, to support and build is immeasurably more rewarding than our more convenient virtual worlds. Ask any volunteer and they will tell you that they get every bit as much from their volunteering as they put into it.
When we contribute to our own community, our home community, we all reap the rewards. We build a better place for ourselves and our neighbours, and we experience the incredible personal bonds that are created by our collective contribution.
Recently, we’ve seen large numbers of baby boomers retire, many retiring early and certainly long before their “best before” dates.
So, I encourage all those boomers to bring talent, passion and some time to volunteering. Just think what we can do together.
(John Armstrong is the owner of Armstrong Strategy Group)
