Take the 2019 Annual Business Review Survey NOW!
The annual business survey was developed and implemented for the first time in 2015. This data collection tool is be used by the Economic Development Team to gather valuable economic data that identifies challenges and allow us to develop strategies to assist our business community.
Each year the annual survey is completed between mid-December and until early January and continues to sees more participation each year. Having more businesses participate leads to better information, and allows us to track results while identifying new trends or challenges.
In 2019, based on feedback received from employers through the annual business review surveys, the Economic Development Team completed consultations to better understand local workforce development challenges...see the Workforce Report.
| 2018 Report and Overview |
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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.
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| 2017 Report and Overview |
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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.
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| 2016 Report and Overview |
The 2016 Business Survey Report was well received, with 209 businesses providing responses. Highlights and successes that year include:
- 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.
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| 2015 Report and Overview |
| The 2015 Survey Report was the first year we started to formally reach out to our business community annually. This first year we spoke to 200 local businesses. We received great data as well as comments and suggestions about how business could improve in Gravenhurst: |
For more information about the business survey please contact the Economic Development Team.
