Business Retention and Expansion Final Report - City of Brantford

53A community’s advantages as a place to do business are key factors in maintaining existing businesses while encouragingnew businesses to establish. The following items were cited as the top five advantages to doing business in Brantford(not in any certain order):- Location- Universities (education)- 403- Small town feel- AffordabilityIn terms of disadvantages of doing business in Brantford, the following five factors were cited (not in any certain order):- Downtown parking- Condition of the downtown (appearance)- Perception/Reputation of the city- Property taxes- Transportation/transitBusinesses surveyed were asked to rate factors in their ability to conduct business in this community.The following are the highest ratings (excellent to good):Factor - Excellent to GoodPercentAccess to suppliers 90%Availability of utilities 89%Water and sewer capacity 86%Access to markets/customers/clients 83%Quality of life 79%Support from local businesses 79%Telecommunications infrastructure capacity 78%Access to training facilities 74%Size of local market 73%Support from local residents 72%Transportation costs 67%Access to research and development 67%Labour costs 65%Cost of construction 61%Support from municipality 60%The lowest ratings ranked as fair to poor included:Factor - PoorestPercentCost of leasing space 57%Availability of skilled labour 55%Land costs 55%Municipal by-laws 55%Development charges 53%Local permit process 48%Availability of appropriately zoned land 45%Municipal taxes 41%