Wellington North is kicking its business retention and expansion project into high gear, as the township reaches out to get information about businesses within its boundaries.
The program started in 2010 is now linked to a similar project being done by Wellington County, along with all seven of its lower tier municipalities. Findings from the project will be linked to the county economic strategic plan.
“The collaborative project will help to better support the growth of existing businesses and letters and surveys will be mailed to selected businesses to assist the municipality and county in identifying their needs and concerns, ask their opinions about government and services, and determine in what ways the local business climate can be improved,” said township business economic manager Dale Small.
“Where appropriate the surveys will be followed up with a business interview.”
So far surveys will be sent out to selected businesses, but other businesses wishing to be part of the project are urged to contact Small at the municipal office for inclusion in the survey.
Economic development committee member Al Rawlins will join Small in sending out surveys and conducting interviews.
“The survey being mailed to local businesses has four purposes,” Rawlins said.
Those include showing local businesses their efforts in the community are appreciated, identifying employer concerns and how local government can assist, connecting local businesses with resources to assist them, and having businesses help set priorities for future policy decisions and local economic development efforts.
“Helping our existing businesses is the main objective of the project and while our primary focus will be on manufacturing, agriculture and health care sectors, any business who does not receive a survey can still participate,” Small said.
The project gets underway on Aug. 6 with business interviews expected to take place over the fall and winter months. Final results are expected to be released next year at the fifth annual Wellington North Showcase event March 24 and 25 at the Arthur community centre.
Small is urging businesses interested in taking part to call him at 519-848-3620 extension 34 or email him at dsmall@wellington-north.com.
