The results of a survey of 103 businesses visited by 19 community volunteers in the inaugural Business Walk in 100 Mile House on Oct. 19 reveal some interesting results.
It shows 48 per cent of the survey respondents – mostly owners and senior managers of small businesses downtown, or nearby – consider their operations as good or growing, with another 47 per cent reporting it as steady or fair.
Just five per cent of participants rated their businesses as being slow or poor.
Hosted by the District of 100 Mile House with support from the South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) and the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, the aim of the Business Walk was to collect helpful and informative data on how the District and its partners can help build a vibrant business community.
Mayor Mitch Campsall says these results will help companies find ways to reduce barriers to their business success and foster a prosperous business climate in 100 Mile House, as well as promote stronger business relationships between the community, local government and related support agencies.
By shopping local, residents in the District and elsewhere in the South Cariboo help the businesses whose owners and managers support many charities and services in the community, he notes.
Campsall adds businesses in smaller communities routinely provide better customer and product service than big-box stores in larger municipalities.
The mayor says he believes this quality of service also leads to attracting and retaining more residents, which the largest survey contingent – 28 per cent – pointed to as the most needed help for their business to grow.
The results also reflected 34 per cent of the surveyed businesses felt labour issues – attracting, training and retaining workers – is the biggest challenge they face.
That has always been a larger challenge, Campsall says, adding a housing shortage is one of the causes for these issues with maintaining both residents and employees.
Regarding what works well for these businesses, the survey shows closely-tied results between advertising (22 per cent), reputation (21 per cent) and location (20 per cent).
Now, the District and its local and regional partners will be developing new programs toward helping local businesses in the coming months.
Meanwhile, SCCC chair Leon Chretien says the Chamber is "very pleased" by its collaboration with the District in this mutual undertaking of the 2016 Business Walk.
For more detailed information, download the report and the summary release online at www.100milehouse.com/news-and-events.