MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 21, 2024

Smiths Falls Annual Business Survey seeks local business feedback this Spring

Smiths Falls, ON – The Town of Smiths Falls is launching the Annual Business Survey for it’s third year, with a twist.

The Annual survey program serves as a data collection tool to gather valuable economic data and insights from local businesses as well as acting as an opportunity to connect and build relationships with local entrepreneurs. Data collected though this survey assists business support stakeholders to build programs and services to address local challenges.  This year, the survey will also assist in the development of a new Smiths Falls BR&E and Investment Attraction Strategy later this year. 

“Small business has long been a cornerstone of our community’s prosperity and sustainability, and collectively, is our largest employer. Successive town councils have recognized the value of enabling and supporting our small business community and recognized New Business Attraction as one of the key six priorities in our 2023-26 Strategic Plan.” said Mayor Shawn Pankow.

The expanded Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) survey was developed through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and will be administered through a partnership with the Smiths Falls and District Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Advisory Centre (Smiths Falls/Lanark County/Leeds Grenville), Valley Heartland CFDC and the Smiths Falls Downtown Business Association.

“Our Town continues to grow and change, so we must make an active effort to engage the business community to understand challenges so that we can support them now as well as seek new future opportunities to expand our sector base” said Julia Crowder, Economic Development & Tourism Manager for the Town of Smiths Falls. We want our community to remain prosperous so it can continue to grow, offer a variety of employment opportunities for a diverse population, and provide an array of local products and services in town for residents and visitors.

The Town is encouraging all businesses participate. More responses will leads to a better overall picture and will allow the Town to build a fulsome strategy aimed at business support and attraction for the next 5 years.

The survey is now available online at www.smithsfalls.ca/BusinessSurvey.

Business owners also have the option to set up one-on-one meetings, either in person, virtually or by phone with survey partners by contacting Julia Crowder at jcrowder@smithsfalls.ca or 613-283-4124 x 1107.

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Media Contact

Joanne Plontz
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
77 Beckwith Street N, Box 695
Smiths Falls, ON K7A 2B8
613-283-4124 ext. 1122
Communications@smithsfalls.ca