HOPA Ports and BMI Group Renew Partnership After Award-Winning 600-Acre Brownfield Transformation, Driving Industrial Growth in Ontario

Niagara Region, ON — HOPA Ports and The BMI Group have renewed their strategic partnership, building on a proven model that has transformed one of Ontario's largest brownfield sites into a nationally recognized industrial hub.

Launched in 2019 under the Niagara Ports banner, The BMI Group transformed the former Norampac paper mill in Thorold, Ontario into the Bioveld Niagara Multimodal Hub — a 600+ acre, multimodal-served industrial complex now home to more than 30 tenants in manufacturing, clean energy, and logistics. With HOPA providing on-site property management, development services, and active tenant recruitment, the once-idle site is now a catalyst for job creation, innovation, and resilient supply chains, earning national recognition for environmental remediation and adaptive reuse.

"The success of our first project exceeded expectations," said Ian Hamilton, President & CEO of HOPA Ports. "We knew there was strong market demand for multimodal-served industrial space — and today, Bioveld Niagara stands as proof that vision, speed, and strategic partnerships can deliver transformative results."

Scaling a Winning Model

BMI Group's ready-stating and re-futuring approach has driven the development of more than 25 industrial and commercial sites in Ontario, Quebec, and Michigan — from Red Rock and Fort Frances to Baie Comeau and Port Huron. Specializing in the revitalization of legacy industrial lands, BMI transforms underutilized properties into high-value, modern industrial assets.

"We've seen the economic ripple effect in Niagara, and know how to put this model to work," said Paul Veldman, CEO of BMI Group. "With the right partners, we can deliver wherever communities are ready to reimagine their industrial future to create jobs, attract investment, and build stronger supply chains."

Strategic Assets for Industry and Tenant Growth

HOPA Ports brings deep expertise in high-value industrial cluster development, connecting tenants to Ontario's integrated marine, rail, and highway network. At Bioveld Niagara, tenants benefit from:

• Direct water access to the Welland Canal

• Active rail service for efficient freight movement

• High-capacity hydroelectric power ideal for energy-intensive manufacturing

• Tailored tenant buildouts enabling infrastructure efficiencies

In 2021, the Hub expanded with the acquisition of an adjacent 500,000 sq. ft. former automotive facility, unlocking new space for high-value manufacturing tenants.

In parallel, The BMI Group has invested in scaling the success of innovative tenants. These include CHAR Tech, a rapidly scaling cleantech company converting solid organic residues into renewable energy and biocarbon products, and Destiny Copper, a cleantech firm specializing in sustainable copper recovery from industrial waste streams and mine tailings. These scale-ups represent the next generation of industrial innovation, leveraging Bioveld's infrastructure, connectivity, and collaborative ecosystem to advance clean technologies with global potential.

A Partnership Built for National Impact

With a growing roster of industrial, civic, and Indigenous partners, the BMI–HOPA partnership demonstrates the power of collaboration to unlock Canada's industrial potential. As Canada works to rapidly strengthen its domestic industrial capacity, BMI–HOPA is delivering measurable value for businesses, communities, and the national economy.

About HOPA Ports
As an integrated port network, the Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA) offers port and marine assets in Hamilton, Oshawa, and Niagara to support Ontario industries and facilitate trade. By investing in high-quality infrastructure and prioritizing sustainability, HOPA helps build prosperous working waterfronts in Ontario communities. Overseeing more than 1,400 acres and more than 180 tenant companies, 40,000 Ontario jobs are connected to the cargo that passes through HOPA’s integrated ports.

About the BMI Group
The BMI Group specializes in “ready-stating and re-futuring” strategic properties for high-impact, multi-use developments across industrial, commercial, residential, and hospitality sectors. With a focus on enhancing social and economic potential through multi-sector collaboration, BMI delivers new opportunities for investment, innovation, and community revitalization.

For more information, please contact:

HOPA
Larissa Fenn
Vice President, Corporate Affairs, HOPA Ports
[email protected]

BMI
Olga Patronik
Executive Project Coordinator, BMI
[email protected]
1-888-264-4258