Interviews conducted with township businesses have proven to be “favourable” overall, business development officer Dale Small told members of the economic development committee (EDC).
Small released local results on April 16 to the EDC of a county-wide business retention and expansion study that saw interviews conducted with 270 businesses across the county, including 32 in Wellington North.
“Overall we had very positive results,” Small said of the local responses to questions given to businesses as part of the survey.
Overall the survey results showed 75 per cent of respondents rated the business climate in Wellington North as good to excellent and 97% indicated quality of life was good to excellent.
Seventy-seven per cent of businesses expect sales to grow or remain the same and 78% had a positive outlook for their industry.
The survey also found 86% of owner/operators of businesses are involved in the day-to-day operation and a majority have operated the business for 10 years or more and live in the community.
“When you read some of the comments, people are content living and doing business here,” said Mayor Ray Tout.
The township survey included interviews with representatives from manufacturing, agriculture, health care and creative economy – the same sectors that made up the overall county study.
The Wellington North survey also included interviews with downtown businesses.
Many business respondents noted an upswing in the economy impacted their individual businesses. Other positive business factors included good fire and police services, regional and provincial roadways, good snow removal and support from local residents.
On the downside, many business respondents pointed to a lack of skilled labour available; a fallout of the county’s low unemployment rate at about 4%, Tout said.
“More and more workforce-related issues and difficulty with hiring new employees,” one respondent noted.
“It’s hard to attract new business when you can’t get staff,” EDC member Al Rawlins said.
Also cited as negatives were: “out-of-line” development charges, a lack of sewage capacity at the Arthur treatment plant and concerns with building permit fees and charges.
Small noted the survey also raised concerns about vacant buildings in the business core. He said the township should promote its program that allows for buildings owned by businesses to do upgrades to their store fronts using low-interest loans.
Small said the township will also take advantage of a $25,000 grant from the county to conduct economic development work.
