the next generation of business retention and expansion, presented at the Economic Development Council of Ontario 2015 Annual Conference

1. Stephen Morris, M.A.E.S, Ec.D.
Economic Development Specialist
Regional Economic Development Branch
Ontario Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Next Generation of
Business Retention + Expansion

2. 38%of businesses plan to expand within
the next 18 months.
Source: 2009-2014 Provincial BR+E Roll-up Report

3. What is BR+E
Business Retention +
Expansion (BR+E) is a
structured action-oriented
and community-based
approach to business
and economic
development.
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4. Our Program Goal:
To have the leading and
most comprehensive
……. program for
communities and regions
in North America.
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5. Review Process
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Collect
&
Analyze
Develop
Plans &
Priorities
Implement
& Monitor
Modify

6. Contributors to the Review
• County of Perth
• County of Northumberland
• County of Wellington
• City of Guelph
• City of Kawartha Lakes
• Municipality of Huron East
• Rural Oxford BR+E
• Region of Durham
• Town of Bluewater
• Town of Minto
• Town of New Tecumseth
• Town of St. Marys
• Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville
• Township of Centre Wellington
• Township of Mapleton
• Township of Wellington North
• Greenstone Community Futures Development
Corporation
• Nottawasaga Community Futures Development
Corporation
• Eastern Ontario Economic Development
Commission
• Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership
• Dryden Chamber of Commerce
• Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
• Ministry of Northern Development and Mines
• Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sport
• Ministry of Economic Development, Employment
and Infrastructure
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7. Review Findings
Successes to Build on:
• Acting on Results
• Monitoring outcomes
of their action plans
• Training
• Staff support
Challenges to Address:
• Survey
• Database system
• Data Analysis &
Reporting
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8. New Process
A Four Stage
Process

9. Is right
for your Community?
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New Seven Community Assessment Questions

10. New Coordinator Manual
Step-by-step process with a
greater emphasis on:
• Project design
• Performance measures
• Data analysis
• Priority setting
DRAFT

11. BR+E Survey Review
Question review principles:
• Assist with strategic planning
• Identify specific business
growth or retention
opportunities
• Provide general business
information
110
65 66
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
2008 2011 2015
Number of questions
in the retention survey

12. Update Retention Survey
A comprehensive survey
Business Information
Business Climate
Future Plans
Business Development
Workforce
Community Development

13. Updated/New Sector Surveys
Tourism
Manufacturing
Agriculture
Downtown
Revitalization/ Retail
Local Food

14. Updated Executive Pulse System
Version 6 of the system launch in 2014

15. Responsive Design

16. User Defined Reports

17. Executive Pulse Overview Sessions
Free - webinar sessions on the Executive Pulse
system
• Thursday, February 26th 1-2 pm
• Thursday, March 26th 1-2pm
• Thursday, April 23rd 1-2pm
• Thursday, May 28th 1-2pm
• Thursday, June 18th 1-2pm
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18. New Provincial BR+E Survey Results
Purpose
• To support communities undertaking BR+E
projects with their data analysis
• To provide context and benchmarking for
communities compared to their local results

19. BR+E Projects 2009-2014
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73 projects and 3,100 surveys

20. Provincial BR+E Survey Results -
Business Climate
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N=3,121 N=3,072

21. Coordinator Training
Updated two-part training program
• Part 1 – Preparing,
Interviewing and Addressing
Immediate opportunities and
concerns (1.5 Days)
• Part 2– Data Analysis,
Reporting and Implementing
(1 Day)

22. Program Components
 Provincial Staff Advisors
 Coordinator’s Manual
 Surveys
 Executive Pulse System
 Coordinator Training
 Provincial BR+E Survey Results
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23. For more Information
Visit our website to request a
copy of the BR+E
Coordinator’s Manual or to
register for training.
http://ontario.ca/b34h
Talk to your Regional Advisor
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