Annual Business Survey

The 2019 Business Survey Report marks the 5th consecutive year of the program.  This year the report recieved 309 responses:

• 93% Business owners are generally positive.
• 38% of businesses increased in profit (down from 69% in 2018).
• Net increase of 75 full-time permanent positions.
• Of the companies surveyed 108 are intending on hiring accounting for 268 potential positions.
• While 31 businesses opened in 2019 (the most since this survey began in 2015), a net decrease of businesses occurred as a result of 35 closing. Most of the businesses that closed in 2019 were individuals operating as side/casual business, with many deciding to either retire or take employment with another company.

The 2018 Business Survey Report received 236 responses. Highlights include:

• 23 New businesses opened in 2018.
• Increase in Business Satisfaction to 92%, with 17% saying their business outlook is more positive.
• Net increase of 115 new positions with the majority being full-time permanent and full-time seasonal positions.
• Net decrease of 18 part-time seasonal positions, seeing most of these being converted to full-time positions.
• 64 Business were looking to fill a combined total of 137 positions in 2019.
• 6% of businesses are looking for new or bigger space, however 4% said finding available locations has become a challenge due to lack of availability.
• 69% Increased in Profits.

The 2017 Business Survey Report received 217 responses. Highlights include: 

• 54 first-time responses from businesses that did not previously take part, or were new businesses recently opening. 
• Businesses satisfaction with the local economy grew from 56% to 81%. Only 1% declared dissatisfaction.
• An increased number of owners who are investing in their buildings and their business.
• This survey tracked real time job creation from businesses who responded in two subsequent years:
• Net increase of 54 new full-time permanent positions;
• Net increase of 20 new part-time permanent positions;
• Net increase of 10 new full-time seasonal positions; and
• Net decrease of 22 part-time seasonal positions, which is an expected result of companies not being able to find qualified seasonal employees.
• 35 business owners are intending to transition out of their businesses in the next 5 years, where only 9 of these have succession plans.
• 17% of businesses are home based.

• An increase of 111 new jobs, 53 of those being full-time positions.
• 66% of respondents were either satisfied or very satisfied with the business climate in Gravenhurst.
• Over the past two years, 58.2% of businesses have seen an increase in profits while only 9.5% have seen a decrease.