Business Retention and Expansion Study for Collingwood's Knowledge Base Sector

Overall Findings

BUSINESS CLIMATE/COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT

The general impression of the interviewed knowledge base sector reports an excellent to good impression of Collingwood as a place to do business, although the majority of them report a more negative attitude has developed over the past three years.

The majority rated services including policing, fire prevention, public utilities, and public transit at a very satisfied level. Similarly, the majority of businesses identify a somewhat satisfied level for the health department, street repair and snow/garbage removal. Construction costs were rated as fair, as were leasing spaces expenses. The local permit process was assessed as being poor.

With respect to the expansion of existing and the development of new businesses over the next three years, the most significant barriers identified by the knowledge base sector include:

• Labour availability

• Availability of a suitable office space

• Finding/developing strategic alliances

• Planning/ zoning permits

• Availability of properly zoned and serviced land

• Land Costs

• Approval process

• Business taxes and insurance

• Availability of skilled and unskilled labour

• Access to training opportunities

• Road and highway system

• Trucking and distribution

• Development Charges

• Access to research and development

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