By Aaron Mahoney (@Mahones93 on Twitter)

Recent survey results show strong business satisfaction in Lethbridge County

Oct 7, 2018 | 9:33 AM

LETHBRIDGE – Lethbridge County Council was recently presented results from a Business Retention and Expansion Survey conducted with local businesses during the summer at their regular council meeting on Oct. 1, and the results were positive.

The survey results found that overall business satisfaction in Lethbridge County is quite strong at 91.3%, with 23.8% of respondents indicating their level of satisfaction is more positive than a year ago. 

56.3% of businesses that participated in the survey are planning to expand in the next two years and the majority plan to do so in Lethbridge County.

The aim of the survey was for Council and Administration to better understand the future plans and needs of local businesses and how business owners/managers view the community as a place to do business. 

The telephone survey was conducted with assistance from MDB Insight, an economic development consulting firm, and was done by random sample with 80 businesses participating. 

Week-in-review: Federal Budget, water agreements and success for tourism industry

Apr 20, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 19, 2024

Apr 19, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: April 15, 2024

Apr 15, 2024

The lowest levels of satisfaction among participants were with municipal investment in internet infrastructure, availability of skilled labour, and internet service.

Municipal tax rates were also identified as areas to address to improve overall satisfaction.

Reeve Lorne Hickey says the high level of satisfaction among the survey participants is encouraging.

“Lethbridge County is a great place to do business and we were pleased to see how many survey respondents plan to expand their operations in the near future,” he continued. “There were some areas identified that we can work on to best support existing businesses and attract future economic development in Lethbridge County.”

A vibrant economic environment is a pillar under the County’s 2018 Strategic Plan, with the goal that businesses can grow and thrive.

“I’m very pleased that the County has received third-party confirmation that our business community is largely satisfied and doing well at the present time,” Lethbridge County Economic Development Officer Martin Ebel said.

In particular, Ebel says it’s encouraging to see that more than half of the businesses surveyed plan to expand within the next two years. 

“This survey provides not only transparency, accountability, and a good baseline for future evaluation, but also highlights areas where more work needs to be done for the County to stay competitive and a good place in which to do business,” Ebel stated, adding they will be working in the months to come to address and improve on some of the challenges that businesses have highlighted.

The full report can be found here.