2011 Municipal Study - City of Brantford

Municipal Study 2011Business Retention & Expansion ProgramsNorth BayThe City’s Economic Development Department provides turn key services to prospective investors includingsite searches, land sales, labour market analysis, public funding applications assistance, financialstructuring and related services.North Bay’s Business Retention & Expansion program was implemented for the first time in 2005 as acommunication tool between the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development in partnership with the North Bay& District Chamber of Commerce and the local business community. Phase one, now complete, wasdesigned to gather empirical data from a wide cross section of firms in a variety of sectors through aconfidential survey process. Results have provided the community with a better understanding of thebenefits and challenges in doing business in North Bay as well as enabled firms and the City to capitalize onseveral value added and business expansion opportunities. Phase two, the ongoing company visitationprogram is now in place and continues to provide valuable feedback and facilitates issue resolution.The Business Centre - Nipissing, Parry Sound, a partnership between the City, the Province of Ontario andvarious community stakeholders assists in the start-up and expansion of new and existing businesses. TheCentre provides support through the first five years of operation, by offering business consulting servicesand information concerning market research, business plans and financingIncentive and grant initiatives specific to Northern Ontario such as the Northern Ontario YoungEntrepreneurs, Emerging Technology, Infrastructure and Community Development programs offeredthrough the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund and those available through FedNor and their CommunityFutures Development Corporations assist with the expansion of existing companies and the attraction ofnew investment to the region.To help private sector proponents overcome the financial barriers associated with new development, theCity of North Bay has launched the Airport Community Improvement Plan, which provides a combination offinancial incentives, including: Municipal Fee Rebate Program, Tax Assistance Program, landfill tipping FeeReductionOakvilleThe Oakville Economic Development Department provides a proactive company visitation program to assistbusinesses and ensure that they are satisfied with Oakville. In addition, the Department provides siteinformation, economic data and acts as the lead advisor to the Oakville Council, Chamber of Commerce anddevelopers on expansion opportunities/constraints.Economic Development Programs353