Libby Smith with Terra Consulting reads out findings of the Business Retention & Expansion Survey at the Trent Port Marina on September 28, 2016 (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
The City of Quinte West hosted business leaders and dignitaries Wednesday morning, as they revealed details of their most recent retention and expansion survey.
This survey focused on the retail and commercial sector across the four wards.
Manager of Economic Development and Tourism Linda Lisle says getting information out to stakeholders needs to be a major focus moving forward.
Lisle says those questioned were mostly satisfied with the municipality.
She says financial incentives to help profitability is also something coming back time and again.
As far as what is missing in the municipality, those surveyed suggested more restaurants, more trades and sub trades, along with more food and grocery stores.
The main focus for businesses in commercial and retail continues to be young families (25-40) and baby boomers (40-60).
The survey showed that priorities moving forward should include filling empty store fronts, road repairs, keeping the hospital strong, attracting industrial business, promoting tourism and attracting residential development.
Strengths included the location, CFB Trenton, the landscape, municipal staff and council, the cost of living and the cost of doing business.
Weaknesses mentioned were taxes, broadband service in the rural portions of the municipality, the proximity to Belleville and its shopping, along with the lack of work ethic in the workforce.
