Minding our own business

Report points to optimism among County businesses, as well as some challenges

How’s business? A big majority of manufacturing and construction businesses report being optimistic about their prospects for growth in Prince Edward County. In fact, 80 per cent see their industry growing, double the provincial average. These data are revealed in a recently conducted survey by the County’s Community Development Department exploring issues around retaining and expanding business.

The 31-page report is the product of 60 interviews conducted with business owners in the manufacturing and construction sectors in the County. Manufacturing in this context includes both traditional and more niche producers including machine shops and agri-food producers. The construction survey included contractors, homebuilders and suppliers.

The business retention and expansion initiative report was produced by the County’s Community Development Department. It arose from the Strategic Plan developed by the Community and Economic Development Commission. The County leaned heavily tools and resources provided by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).

While respondents were generally positive about potential and opportunity to grow, many identified recruiting and retaining staff as a key impediment in meeting this demand. This is true for both highand low-skilled jobs. This growth-limiting challenge is amplified by a shortage of affordable housing in the County—compelling many to commute long distances while discouraging others from considering relocating to the region.

Another consistent worry raised in the responses is the time-consuming challenge of wading through the County’s development process—a process some describe as unresponsive and unpredictable.

“Their experience has been increased delays due to waiting for planning or building permit approvals, which sometimes causes them to miss economically important timelines, such as a busy tourism season,” wrote the report’s authors. “Many businesses experience difficulty when inquiring on the status of their site plan approvals or building applications.”

To date, 73 other communities in rural Ontario have conducted similar surveys. It allows the County to measure its findings against provincial and regional averages. In this way, it can help to highlight opportunities or point to common challenges.

SELECTED FINDINGS
County business is much more entrepreneurial and independent than others in Ontario. There are far fewer franchises’ business and branch operations in the County than the provincial average.

The County’s entrepreneurial and independent bent is likely related to the survey finding that many business owners invest here and continue to do so primarily because of the quality of life—rating it the top community advantage.

The survey found that over 60 per cent of County respondents said they intended to expand their business over the next 18 months. This includes adding products, services, improving processes and adding floor space. This means a need for more people and more training.

But that is expected to be a challenge according the survey’s respondents. Over half said they were experiencing difficulties in expanding. More than 88 per cent say they have difficulty hiring the people they need.

“We would grow if we could find quality candidates,” said one respondent. Training is part of the problem, but lack of skills and experience is impeding most growth plans.

But challenges in the municipal development process was also a common theme.

“Due to the amount of extra time and costs it takes to get anything done, future plans for expansion in Prince Edward County have been squashed,” said another respondent.

Many of these businesses are looking to the municipality and other levels of government to help them attract employees to the opportunities. They also point to the need to develop housing that is affordable for both full-time and seasonal workers.

Interestingly, few are concerned by the state of local roads and other infrastructure. Most also rate the municipal services above the provincial average. The same is true for medical and health services.

Council’s committee of the whole will consider the Business Retention and Expansion report on Thursday. What happens next will determine if the exercise changes things on the ground for these businesses.

Neil Carbone is director of the County’s Community Development Department. He says the report, if received by council, will become a living reference for entrepreneurs and potential investors in the County. Carbone intends to expand the survey to other business groups next year and redo sectors on a two- or three-year basis—to measure improvements and identify challenges sooner.

The report also points to policy changes and intervention by the County.

Carbone expects recommendations emerging from the Development Framework meetings, combined with the already identified priorties of the CEDC, will address some of the issues raised in the report.

“In addition we will be working on various initiatives including partnerships with Loyalist College; expanded job fair initiatives; updates to our joint workshop offerings including employee retention training for business owners and customer service training; changes to how and to whom we mar Exket to through the Build a New Life portal and social media; as well as ongoing encouragement of land use policies that support labour recruitment and retention, affordable housing initiatives.”

Carbone says it is up to council to prioritize and fund specific initiatives and for the CDC and its stakeholder partners to implement them.

“In the end, the BR+E has been a great way to connect in-depth with a lot of our County,” said Carbone.