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The program will enhance the connection with local businesses and assess current needs

This year, Ajax’s Economic Development and Tourism will be initiating a Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) program to help assess the current business climate and gain a better understanding of the services that local businesses need.

The BR&E program will consist of a retention survey for all TOA businesses to complete. The surveys will be collected and returned to the Town for analysis of the results and the development of a finalized report to commence further improvements for local businesses.

Some key points that will be gathered throughout the program includes:

  • The expansion and growth of businesses;
  • Common concerns or problems;
  • Trends in the overall market and in key sectors;
  • Ways that the Town’s Economic Development and Tourism team can address concerns and help support local businesses succeed and grow in Ajax

The BR&E program will be delivered as a Capstone Project and led by Economic Development and Tourism in partnership with Ontario Tech University’s Faculty of Business and Information Technology, CityStudio Durham and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Participate in the survey and be a part of the future progress and success of Ajax’s local businesses.

Quotes

“I am looking forward to launching the BR&E program this year, so we can continue to engage with the Town and enhance the future growth and success of our local businesses. It is essential that we continue to connect with businesses and identify concerns and opportunities in the community as we are faced with various changes in the business climate. The program will allow us to gather and analyze all data received to develop a plan for our future actions.”  - Samuel Twumasi, Manager of Economic Development, Town of Ajax

“I would like to thank the Town’s Planning and Development Service’s Department for developing and initiating such an important program for TOA businesses to address any concerns and identify opportunities in the community. Our local businesses bring communities together, and I am excited to see the BR&E program, and its results, provide the Town with the insight to enhance our connection with businesses and inform future Town of Ajax Economic Development Action Plans.”  – Mayor Shaun Collier

Quick Facts

  • Beginning in early February, all businesses in Ajax will receive a BR&E survey from the Town. Any questions may be directed to the Town’s Economic Development & Tourism team at priority@ajax.ca.
  • The purpose of the BR&E program is to assess the current business climate and better understand the services that businesses need.
  • Economic Development & Tourism will be initiating the program this year.
  • The results from the project will provide the Town with insights into business needs, concerns and plans and will inform future Town of Ajax Economic Development Action Plans and programming.
  • All surveys are available in either printed hard copy or digital copy. Businesses will only need to provide one response which will remain private and confidential.
  • All Ajax businesses will receive a copy of the Retention Survey to complete, which will cover business information, business climate, future plans, business development, workforce, Ajax community questions and community development.
  • Businesses in certain sectors will also receive their own Sector Specific Survey to complete. Sectors include agriculture, downtown retail, local food, manufacturing, mining, natural resource and tourism.
  • The final Business Retention and Expansion Report will be a summary of aggregated survey data and individual survey results will be anonymous.

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