Dufferin County businesses more confident than the rest of the province!
For Immediate Release | March 14, 2023
Dufferin ON: The results are in from the Dufferin Board of Trade (DBOT)’s annual Business Survey conducted in February 2023. The survey was completed by 125 local businesses representing various sectors and each municipality within Dufferin and a few surrounding areas. Survey data was compared to previous DBOT surveys and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC)’s 2023 Business Confidence Survey.
Local respondents were generally optimistic about their business performance in 2023, scoring an average of 7 on a sliding 1:10 scale indicating they are expecting to perform better this year than last. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s survey showed 53% of businesses across the province are optimistic about the outlook and prospects of their own organizations.
Top priorities for local businesses this year focus on marketing their business and getting connected in the local business community. The biggest issues of concern facing local businesses are attracting employees, navigating government red tape, and competition. The majority of businesses feel that creating a live-work community, so more people both live and work in Dufferin, is the top factor driving Dufferin County’s economic growth and prosperity.
On average, employment levels remained the same with businesses in 2022, but 41% of businesses had challenges filling all their available positions with candidates that met their needs and requirements.
The survey shows that networking and professional development opportunities are very important to local businesses. To help meet the networking need, DBOT will be offering regular free networking events – “DBOT Connects” at various businesses throughout the community. To support professional development needs, DBOT will be offering regular learning sessions, covering such topics as creating LGBTQ+ Safe Spaces, becoming Environmentally/Socially Responsible businesses, and more. Details on all of these can be found on our website.
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The Dufferin Board of Trade (DBOT) is a grass-roots community building non-profit organization serving Dufferin County for over 110 years. DBOT contributes to community betterment by helping local businesses and non-profits thrive. When local businesses are succeeding the local economy flourishes and businesses can better support local charities, events, and their employees. Learn more at www.dufferinbot.ca.
Media Contact
Diana Morris, Executive Director, Dufferin Board of Trade
[email protected] | 519.941.0490 ext. 202
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