The municipality is undertaking a Business Retention + Expansion (BR+E) survey, focusing on employers in the professional services sector, as well as remote workers, and operators of home-based businesses.
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 through July and August, followed by a series of networking focus groups in September.
“Professional services play a critical role in the local economy because of the support these firms provide to other businesses across all sectors. And we have also seen a growth in people either moving here and working remotely or deciding to start up a business in their home,” Mayor Steve Ferguson says. “We are keen to explore ways to strengthen this sector so that it can continue to flourish as a source of meaningful, year-round employment in Prince Edward County.”
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.
All members of the professional services sector can visit the County’s Have Your Say website and contribute their voices to this important survey. The online survey consists of 40 questions designed to better understand opportunities and challenges, as well as satisfaction with various government and community services or amenities, and the view on Prince Edward County as a place to do business.
The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. All answers are confidential and will be aggregated with other responses to ensure no individual’s personal or business information is shared. A draw for a $250 gift certificate for a local business or service will take place when the survey closes.
Sharing the survey link is both encouraged and greatly appreciated. Please note: the survey will only accept one submission per individual respondent.
If you have questions or require further information, please contact Karen Palmer, Economic Development Officer, at 613.242.6476 or kpalmer@pecounty.on.ca