The municipality is undertaking a Business Retention + Expansion survey, focusing on employers in the Professional Services sector, as well as remote workers and operators of Home-Based Businesses.
While the survey is now closed, we are conducting a series of Focus Groups to delve more deeply into survey results and provide opportunities for professionals, remote workers and home-based business operators to connect. Please see "Key Dates" on the right-hand panel for details.
WHAT IS A BR+E?
A BR+E is a tool municipalities can use to do a 'temperature check' on a specific sector, to better understand opportunities and challenges. ThisContinue reading
The municipality is undertaking a Business Retention + Expansion survey, focusing on employers in the Professional Services sector, as well as remote workers and operators of Home-Based Businesses.
While the survey is now closed, we are conducting a series of Focus Groups to delve more deeply into survey results and provide opportunities for professionals, remote workers and home-based business operators to connect. Please see "Key Dates" on the right-hand panel for details.
WHAT IS A BR+E?
A BR+E is a tool municipalities can use to do a 'temperature check' on a specific sector, to better understand opportunities and challenges. This year, the municipality is working with Farrell Insights and the PEC Chamber of Commerce to conduct an online survey (July-August), followed by a series of networking focus groups (September).
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY 'PROFESSIONAL SERVICES?'
Professional services involve the provision of specialized expertise, skills, and knowledge to clients, rather than the sale or manufacture of physical products. Examples include legal advice, financial planning, consulting, veterinary services, real estate, graphic design, IT support and health services like physiotherapy, massage or audiology.
WHAT IS THE FOCUS?
We're hoping to understand your outlook - is your sector growing? Declining? Are you hiring? Having trouble with recruiting or retention? Is there a specific barrier that's preventing you from taking your business to the next level? We also ask about your satisfaction with various government and community services or amenities, and your view on Prince Edward County as a place to do business.
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE INFORMATION YOU RECEIVE?
We do our best to act on it. In 2023, we did a sector-wide BR+E that turned up issues with transit, taxi service and questions around how the Municipal Accommodation Tax is spent. We've since added a transit coordinator, retooled summer service, are undertaking a taxi by-law review and will be conducting consultations on MAT spending.
In 2024, we conducted a BR+E survey with Construction & Skilled Trades employers and heard frustration with finding suitable placements for trainees, a lack of upskilling to Red Seal status, a scarcity of local options for apprenticeships and in-classroom learning, and challenges with municipal processes and communications around planning applications. The municipality is currently reviewing how applications from residents, businesses and developers move through Development Services and Economic Development.
