Arts, entertainment, recreation sector focus of County’s next business study

The County’s Community Development Department is extending the Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) program to the local arts, entertainment and recreation sectors.

BR+E, a program supported by the Ontario government, allows the municipality to collect and analyze industry-specific information through interviews and surveys. County staff study the results, then develop goals and an action plan for achieving them.

“Meeting with artists, entrepreneurs, businesses, and community organizations helps us identify the challenges and opportunities for this sector,” said Neil Carbone, Director of Community Develoment and Strategic Initiatives. “At the same time, it is also an opportunity for our department to address any urgent matters we become aware of through the interviews.”

Staff from the department will be contacting representatives from the sectors, including artists, musicians, and operators of recreational and cultural amenities such as marinas, golf courses, sports teams, historical sites, riding stables, and various other organizations.

“I encourage members of local arts, entertainment and recreation organizations to participate in this initiative,” said Mayor Robert Quaiff. “Sector feedback is essential if we are to grow and diversify this area of our local economy, which serves to enrich our local culture and contribute to the County’s unique sense of place.”

For more information or to request an interview, contact Todd Davis, Community Development Supervisor, at 613.476.2148 ext. 2507 or email tdavis@pecounty.on.ca.

The municipality has studied other sectors as part the BR+E program: the manufacturing and construction sectors in 2016 and the professional services and health-care sectors in 2017. More information about each one can be found on the municipal projects webpage.