Summary of Consultation Findings Business Survey Results As part of the Bonnyville Regional Economic Development Strategy, a Business Satisfaction Triage BR+E Survey was undertaken to understand local business health. Business retention and expansion (BR+E) activities are essential to ensuring business needs are monitored and addressed; however, engagement can be time-consuming and complex. A Triage BR+E Survey was commissioned to engage the broader business community while also allowing for the identification of potential expansion or retention opportunities for follow-up on a business-bybusiness basis. A random telephone survey was conducted with 83 businesses out of an initial sample of 889 businesses. This scientific approach ensures that the results have a high level of accuracy and statistically represents the business community in Bonnyville.
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Overall business satisfaction in the region is healthy at 89%, with 37% very satisfied and 52% somewhat satisfied. 13% indicate their level of satisfaction is more favourable than 12 months ago, compared to 40% indicating more negative; representing a net decrease of 27%. Businesses were asked to rate their satisfaction on 14 different factors affecting their business performance. Only 2 of these factors had a satisfaction level of less than 60%. The factors with the lowest levels of satisfaction were: availability of funding programs for business and property improvement, municipal property taxes, availability of unskilled labour, and development charges/off-site levies. When considering which factors were statistically most likely to lead to improved business satisfaction, the top priorities were: municipal property taxes, internet service, availability of funding programs for business and property improvement, and cellular phone service. Addressing these top-priority business factors through review, adaptation, or sustained attention is most likely to lead to higher business satisfaction.
Figure 7: Overall, how satisfied are you with M.D. / Town of Bonnyville as a place to own / operate a business?
52%
37%
As part of the survey, business owners were asked about their future expansion plans. Out of the 83 surveyed, 34 presented an opportunity for intervention – 12 businesses were considering expanding and 22 were considering relocating, downsizing, selling, closing, or had a lease expiring soon (Table 1). This
MDB Insight – Bonnyville Regional Economic Development Plan
Be bold, Bonnyville.
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