Owen Sound council is hearing what businesses have to say.
The Economic Development and Tourism committee presented results from the Business Retention and Expansion Survey to council Monday night.
Overall, 133 business people in the community were surveyed on five topics — business climate and development, manufacturing, the city’s downtown, general retail and tourism.
They were surveyed between October 2010 and August 2011.
Council has learned results of the survey were mostly positive about the business climate, with many businesses expecting growth and expansion.
There is also much satisfaction with many local services.
Areas identified as needing improvement included taxation, approval processes, and low awareness of the economic development strategy.
Councillor Ian Boddy agrees that there is a lack of communication between council and the business community.
He says one example is the Chamber of Commerce, which identified six points they want council to address — and Boddy says it’s the same areas the Economic Development Committee has been working on.
He says it shows council isn’t clearly communicating that issue.
Boddy also believes the City needs to give as much focus to retaining businesses as it does to bringing in new business.
He says studies show 80 per cent of economic growth is generated by existing business.
The task force has made 16 recommendations for council to consider including celebrating success, encouraging local businesses to support each other, and regular visits to all business sectors.
With the economic development strategy coming up for review in the near future, Boddy says this survey will be helpful to all departments as they plan for the next couple of years.
