Middlesex County is excited to announce the launch of our Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) initiative, a proactive program designed to support and strengthen the local business community. This structured approach aims to foster job growth, address business needs, and enhance the economic vitality of our region. We invite businesses from every industry and sector to participate.
The BR&E program is more than just a survey. It’s a chance for local businesses and government to connect so that we understand their challenges and opportunities, helping us develop targeted action plans to support them better. By engaging with existing businesses, we can prioritize efforts that retain jobs, encourage expansion, and improve the overall business climate. Studies show that 76 to 90 percent of new jobs come from existing businesses, making them the backbone of our economy. Through this initiative, we aim to build stronger relationships, provide an early warning system for potential issues, and connect businesses to valuable resources they may not yet know about.
Participation is easy and flexible. While multiple methods of participation are available, we encourage in-person discussions, as they allow for deeper conversations beyond the preset survey questions, giving you the chance to share insights that matter most to your business.
The BR&E process will involve confidential interviews conducted by a team member from Middlesex County Economic Development as well as a local Municipal staff. Any strategic planning initiatives to address the needs of the business community, as guided by the results of the consultations, will be shared with Municipal government, County government as well as the business community. This initiative is a collaborative effort, harnessing the expertise of local leaders and organizations to ensure meaningful outcomes. Whether you’re a small startup or an established company, your voice matters, and your participation can help us create a stronger, more resilient and more competitive Middlesex County.
Ready to get involved? Follow the links below to select your a time that works for you.
In-person meeting times for businesses from Adelaide Metcalfe, Strathroy-Caradoc, Southwest Middlesex and Village of Newbury: https://calendly.com/dmakrakos-middlesex/in_person_meetings_day_1
In-person meeting times for businesses from Lucan Biddulph, Middlesex Centre and North Middlesex: https://calendly.com/dmakrakos-middlesex/in-person-meetings-day-2
In-person meeting times for businesses from Thames Centre: https://calendly.com/dmakrakos-middlesex/in_person_meetings_day_3
Virtual meeting times available: https://scheduler.zoom.us/demetri-makrakos/middlesex-county-bre-meeting
Survey Option: If you are unable or not interested in participating in an in-person or virtual BR&E meeting, but would still like to fill out a survey, email @email.