Business Retention and Expansion Final Report - City of Brantford

46Fifty-two percent (52%) of the businesses surveyed were completely satisfied with their location of their businesses and32% were somewhat satisfied with their location. Ten percent (10%) were somewhat dissatisfied and 6% were verydissatisfied.Those that were not completely satisfied with their location (48%) had the following concerns: other reasons (52%),location is inconvenient for customers (36%), general appearance of community (32%), site is too small (23%), noopportunity for expansion (23%), condition of building (20%), policing/security/fire protection (20%) and business taxes(16%).Only 4% of businesses surveyed indicated that their business is a home-based business operated from their residence.Forty-one percent (41%) of businesses own their facility, while the remaining 59% of businesses leased a facility and 6%of those anticipate a problem in renewing their lease.For those leasing a facility, 30% rent from month to month, 28% will need to renew their lease in one to three years,26% will need to renew over 3 years from now, 11% will need to renew next year and 4% will to need to renew theirlease this calendar year, and six businesses anticipate a problem renewing their lease.The energy source most often used in the Brantford businesses surveyed is electricity/hydro (98%) followed by naturalgas (72%). The preferred energy source is electricity/hydro (82%) and natural gas (68%). Thirteen percent (13%)would prefer an alternative energy source. The major reasons identified for not using these sources included: notavailable in this community, price and cost of installation.The majority of respondents (59%) do not have concerns with respect to energy supply, management or efficiency. Butof the 41% that did were concerned with: cost of energy, and inconsistent supply/periodic brownouts.Forty percent (40%) feel their businesses would benefit from engineering or technical support with respect to energyconservation and efficiency.Internet AccessType of Internet Access Use Prefer Importance (Very Important)Dial-up 10% 3% 33%High Speed: Cable 28% 16% 59%High Speed: DSL 61% 62% 84%High Speed: Wireless 22% 30% 70%High Speed: T1 11% 19% 47%Internet ready devices (Blackberry) 27%