FCM Workshop: Supporting Small Business in Communities

The final workshop of the convention was on how communities can support small businesses. The following are some of the points made during the presentations and discussions.

Communities and Small Business Workshop, June 2, 2014

·         $1 billion in infrastructure investment creates 11,000 jobs;

·         Government investments need to be more predictable and flexible;

·         Municipal leadership matters

·         Regional economies are the new local economies;

·         Chamber of Commerce’s need to have a strong relationship with municipalities and Chambers need to align with urban planning

·         Business Councils represent local committees at a regional level and includes social enterprises (like West Central Abilities)

·         Try to adopt “one less trip” which encourages people to stay home one more time rather than travel to another community such as Saskatoon

·         Strong business relationships start with a cultural mindset – both Town and business have to realize they are helping each other

·         Include businesses in economic development plan (we advertised looking for business people to start an economic development committee and it was not successful)

·         Use Business Improvement Districts to retain businesses (retention is a quarter as difficult as recruiting new businesses)

·         Business and residents want to build good communities (as do elected officials)

·         Five necessary elements to developing a strong business community

     ·         Vision and Commitment

     ·         Raw Materials

     ·         Partnerships

     ·         Infrastructure

     ·         Time

·         Enable community groups to be a part of a by-law review (excellent idea)

·         Community, residents, businesses, stakeholders, user groups, must all realize that community building is multi-generational.

There was a lot of material presented. The communities and groups participating included: Kitchener, Niagara Region and Toronto. Many of their challenges are different from ours.