Business Retention and Expansion Study for Collingwood's Industrial/Employment Sector

Overall Findings

Business Climate/Community Assessment

The general impression of the interviewed industrial region reports a good to fair impression of Collingwood as a place to do business, although the majority report a more negative attitude has developed over the past three years.

Services including policing, fire prevention, public utilities and snow removal were rated at a very satisfied level by the majority. Similarly, the majority of businesses identify a somewhat satisfied level for garbage removal, planning/engineering and zoning permits, public transit, local training board, community college, schools, health department approvals, library, child care, cultural/recreational facilities.

The majority of businesses were somewhat dissatisfied with street repairs.

With respect to the expansion of existing and the development of new businesses, the most significant barriers identified by the industrial sector included;

• Water and sewer fees

• Availability of properly zoned and serviced industrial land

• Approval process

• Development charges

• Business taxes and insurance

• Availability of skilled and unskilled labour

• Availability of training opportunities

• Road and highway system

• Trucking and distribution

Similarly, more than three quarters of the interviewed industries assess the Province of Ontario in good to fair terms as a place for doing business, with over 80% somewhat satisfied on the level of services provided.

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