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

Final Report - September 2007

Section 1: Introduction
Section 2: Overall Findings

Executive Summary

From early January to mid March 2007, the Economic Development Office conducted a knowledge based Business Retention and Expansion survey, contacting 60 area businesses. The results of this survey are reported on the following pages.

Consider the following findings. Many of Collingwood’s knowledge based business leaders plan to expand but are concerned about barriers to future growth, that includes our local labour force, and the need for less municipal red tape balanced with strong leadership.

According to the knowledge based surveys of the 30 local businesses who responded; (representing 50% of those approached)

• 99% identify Collingwood’s greatest strengths as its location and a four season lifestyle;

• Cite red tape and bureaucracy at the municipal level as barriers to growth

• 64% report experiencing difficulty with their expansion plans

• Of the 81% of knowledge base respondents that provided us with any salary information, there is $20,000,000.00 annually generated back into the community through employment; with another $1,220,000.00 annually returned to the local economy accounting for locally purchased goods and services.

Attention must be paid to these concerns in addition to the Barriers to Growth (page 15) to ensure they are successfully addressed.

Our knowledge base sector identified that over the past three years, there has been a:

• 52% overall increase of employees;

• 70% increase in market share;

• 85% growth of local competition;

• 50% who identify their current site as too small;

Over the next three years;

• 52% plan to grow their business

• 82% will increase their workforce

• 91% will invest in new product development,

That’s great news for Collingwood; but ongoing success is not a sure thing.

Informed, collaborative solutions to real-life business issues hold the key to our success. Only by retaining our best businesses and attracting new ones will we continue to see progress for Collingwood.

Forward

One of the most important activities undertaken by the Office of Economic Development is to demonstrate support for local businesses and identify immediate issues affecting sustainability and growth. We are motivated to improve the local business climate and to broaden the discourse on economic development policies and procedures in order to:

• Identify concerns that may result in the loss of local employers;

• Identify opportunities to help businesses expand their presence in the community;

• Build and strengthen relationships with individual employers.

In a continuing effort to create an environment for businesses to succeed and the community to prosper, and as a primary focus of our progressive approach for the Office of Economic Development, are the surveys conducted with local businesses.

This particular report addresses findings within the Knowledge Base sector of Collingwood businesses. The results will serve as the foundation for planning and implementing sound strategies in Collingwood now and in the future.

Collingwood businesses are essential to the strength and vitality of our communities. Business contributions to schools, infrastructure, parks, community sport, events, etc. are invaluable. As such, the Economic Development Office, initiated the pro-active business visitation program using the Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) in order to target all of Collingwood’s employers on a sector by sector basis.

It is intended that all Collingwood businesses be surveyed annually, using over 250 questions designed to assess the individual business and the community as a place to do business. The BR+E survey will provide Collingwood business leaders with anonymous opportunities to rank the quality of community services; assess the workforce and identify key barriers to growth for the community.

The BR+E survey was developed by the Province of Ontario, Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) to be utilized with a web based BR+E application.

In addition to the Business Retention and Expansion Survey, other initiatives available through the Office of Economic Development are designed to attract, market existing and/or retain local businesses. Information on these programs is promoted through staff reports, news letters, trade shows and multi-media, including the website www.investcollingwood.ca provided through the office of Economic Development.

Patricia Miscampbell
Consultant, Business Retention and Expansion
Economic Development Office
Town of Collingwood

Acknowledgements

The Town of Collingwood Business Retention and Expansion Survey for the knowledge base sector was conducted through the joint sponsorship and financial support provided from:

• The Town of Collingwood

• The Province of Ontario, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Rural Investments Branch, Rural Development Division.

This initiative would not have been possible without the support each have provided. Their assistance is greatly appreciated.

A special thank you is extended to the businesses and individuals that took the time to participate in the survey. They shall remain anonymous in accordance with the confidentiality agreements the Department has signed with them. Without their time and candid responses, this project would not have been possible.