The results of Greater Sudbury's Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) report are in, identifying shortages in the skilled labour pool and municipal "red tape" as two of the biggest factors restricting growth in the city.
The BR+E program is designed to identify growth and development opportunities, as well as barriers and challenges that threaten the city's business community. During a four-month period, 126 businesses were surveyed by teams of volunteers, representing 24 percent of the city's workforce.
The result of the surveys is a report unveiled at Tom Davies Square Tuesday before about 80 community members and business leaders.
The BR+E report is critical to the future of the business sector in this community, said Mayor Dave Courtemanche.
Courtemanche said a committee will be established to examine the business leaders' municipal concerns such as the red tape at city hall, reducing taxes, road and highway improvements and the permit approval process.
In addition to skilled labour shortages and bureaucratic hurdles, Greater Sudbury's current image was considered to be negative by 53 percent of the firms surveyed.
It wasn't all bad news for Sudbury, however, as more than 95 percent (the highest total in the province) of businesses identified the quality of life in Greater Sudbury's as a major asset to the city.
More than 50 percent of the firms surveyed also indicated they're looking to either expand or sustain their current base of operations while less than 10 percent said they would relocate, downsize or close their business.
