Business Retention and Expansion Final Report - City of Brantford

52The most significant barrier to training cited was the cost of training (50%). Additional barriers were availability oftraining locally (29%), loss of productivity during the training period (27%) and being unable to release employees(23%).Fifty-one percent (51%) of businesses surveyed feel a mentoring program would be a benefit to businesses in thecommunity.Mentoring programs most beneficial according to participants would be in:Mentoring Program Benefit to Business Willing to Participate as a MentorMarketing 57% 57%Business Planning 50% 38%Human Resources 40% 33%Financial 27% 24%Local CommunityThe Local Community section identifies issues with regards to Economic Development Plans, and the role themunicipality is taking in providing adequate business support.Ten businesses surveyed know of a business that has an interest in locating in our community and of those, five arewilling to provide the contact information for that business and two would be willing to contact the company on thecommunity’s behalf.Business owners/managers participating in the survey were asked if they would be interested in participating in aBusiness Ambassador program and 51% agreed to participate.New suppliers of products or services that surveyed businesses would like to see added to this community are:1. More restaurants2. More retail3. More health services4. Recreational/athletic facilities5. Culture/entertainment/arts facilitiesA total of 79% of those interviewed believe that Brantford has an Economic Development Plan, while in fact Brantforddoes not currently have a written Economic Development Plan document. Two percent (2%) of the participants did notbelieve that a plan existed, while 17% were unaware of whether a Plan existed at all. When asked whether the plan isbeing effectively implemented, 48% said yes, while 38% didn’t know and 14% said no.The survey respondents were asked if they felt the municipality took an adequate role in economic and business development.Sixty-five percent (65%) believe the municipality plays an adequate role, while 20% are unaware of what isbeing done and 15% felt that the municipality does not play an adequate role. Some of the comments documentedfrom downtown Brantford business owners included:“The municipality is working hard but not effective, they need a targeted plan for small business otherthan manufacturing,” and “They are not focusing enough on the downtown.” - Downtown Brantford BusinessOwner