BR+E
The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville is pleased to announce the completion of the largest multi-level Business Expansion and Retention (BR+E) program in the region.
Our existing businesses are heavily invested in our communities and it has been proven that 76-90% of new jobs come from the success of existing businesses. It makes perfect sense to work with and support the businesses that are already heavily invested in our community and help them create more jobs in the future. The BR+E program helps communities to identify priorities based on the feedback of local businesses.
During the project, staff and volunteers from across the Counties met with 300 of our employers and were provided with a wealth of valuable information pertaining to doing business in Leeds Grenville. We thank our businesses for their participation, another sign of how much they care about the communities that they do business in. This information will allow the Counties and its municipalities along with other business support organizations to review their programs and priorities to ensure they are aligned with the existing and future needs of businesses in our communities.
The Counties Economic Development Department agreed to take a leadership role using the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs BR+E program to deliver four baseline reports. The reports will assist in developing future economic development strategies for the three communities and the region based on qualitative and quantitative data to support business sustainability and growth. The four reports are:
- United Counties of Leeds and Grenville BR+E (inclusive of the 10 member municipalities)
- Township of Augusta BR+E
- Village of Merrickville-Wolford BR+E
- Township of Rideau Lakes BRE+E
As part of the preparation of the four reports mentioned above, four Task Force Sessions were held to review the data (Township of Augusta, Village of Merrickville-Wolford, Township of Rideau Lakes and the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville) and to formulate an Action Plan for each report. The completion of the Action Plan allows the municipalities and region to move into the final step of the BR&E process, Stage IV – Implement and Monitor.
BR+E Reports and accompanying Action Plans have now been presented to the Township of Rideau Lakes, the Township of Augusta, the Township of Merrickville-Wolford and the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.
According to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, existing businesses create more jobs and account for 76% to 90% of new jobs in a community.
Reasons to undertake a BR+E include:
- A BR+E helps to retain businesses which is easier and less expensive than attracting new businesses
- A BR+E provides a community with the self-awareness necessary to build on community strengths and assets as well as identify and address areas for improvement
- A BR+E can be a community's early alert system both for opportunities to grow and opportunities to support and retain existing businesses
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