Business Retention and Expansion Final Report - City of Brantford
Business Retention and Expansion Final Report - City of Brantford
Business Retention and Expansion Final Report - City of Brantford
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40Results / AnalysisPr<strong>of</strong>ile <strong>of</strong> <strong>Business</strong>es/Organizations surveyed in the Downtown <strong>Brantford</strong> <strong>Business</strong> ImprovementArea/Downtown District <strong>of</strong> <strong>Brantford</strong>:Current <strong>Business</strong> ClimateThe <strong>Business</strong> Climate section <strong>of</strong> the surveys reviewed the climate for doing business in the <strong>City</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Brantford</strong>. It coveredthe owner/managers’ perception <strong>of</strong> the climate <strong>and</strong> factors which facilitate/hamper the development <strong>of</strong> business in thecity.Overall, the businesses’ general impression <strong>of</strong> <strong>Brantford</strong> as a place to do business was very positive. The majority rated itas good to excellent (79%). Fifty-one percent (51%) said their attitude had changed over the last three years <strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong>those that did express a change, 80% stated that their attitude was now more positive.Some <strong>of</strong> the reasons cited for the positive change in attitude were: the growth <strong>of</strong> the Universities, an increase inbusiness development, growth in the employment sector, an increase in the housing sector <strong>and</strong> a willingness at <strong>City</strong> Hall.Some <strong>of</strong> the negative changes in attitude were due to: a lack <strong>of</strong> parking, security, the appearance <strong>of</strong> the downtown<strong>and</strong> students not spending more in the core.Their general impression <strong>of</strong> doing business in the Province <strong>of</strong> Ontario was also very positive with an eighty-seven percent(87%) rating <strong>of</strong> excellent to good.“The economy is strong, but falls short in terms <strong>of</strong> assistance/support for small business.” - Downtown<strong>Brantford</strong> <strong>Business</strong> OwnerThrough the interview process, we gain a glimpse into the general overview <strong>of</strong> the community, including factors whichbusinesses believe are barriers to existing, exp<strong>and</strong>ing or new businesses. Some <strong>of</strong> the barriers included: <strong>Business</strong> Taxes(35%), Approval Process (32%), Availability <strong>of</strong> Skilled Labour (27%) <strong>and</strong> Public Transit (26%).The <strong>Business</strong> Climate section <strong>of</strong> the survey also measured levels <strong>of</strong> satisfaction with services provided by the localgovernment, <strong>and</strong> other business organizations. High levels <strong>of</strong> satisfaction (very to somewhat satisfied) with servicesprovided by the local government were recorded for:Figure 1: <strong>Business</strong>es Very to Somewhat Satisfied With Services Provided by the Local Government
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