Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) will be embarking on the region’s first annual count of businesses on Monday, June 15 to collect information on local business to provide valuable insight into the region’s economy.
Between June and September, PKED will be conducting a brief voluntary business count. This business count will be offered through an online platform and conducted over the phone.
“Now, more than ever, having accurate local data is vital. It will help us better inform our decisions and programming efforts to support business, and to disseminate important information regarding programs and funding in the future,” said PKED’s Director of Business Development, Suzanne McCrimmon.
The information being collected will be used in part, to generate an up-to-date business directory for PKED, and will be shared with partner municipalities, when agreed upon by businesses.
“To reach as many businesses as possible, the success of this program will depend on the assistance of local municipalities, businesses and landlords. We’re going to be encouraging businesses to voluntarily fill out the form online as well to make it easier for businesses to share their information with us,” said PKED’s Business Retention & Expansion Officer, Steven Tripp, who is leading the Business Count.
The Business Count data will provide a valuable annual snapshot of the region’s business community, identify vacant properties and spaces for new and existing businesses to locate, supporting the region’s main streets and business corridors, provide improved regional workforce data and assist in making better informed decisions related to job growth, workforce development, business opportunities and community development initiatives
“The region-wide collection of this data will also allow us to understand the business composition of our communities and business areas to understand what vulnerabilities or opportunities exist” added Tripp. KG
