Calling all businesses and organizations in Sault Ste. Marie - the Chamber of Commerce is looking for your participation in its new Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) program.
This program is designed to strengthen and support local businesses by gathering critical insights directly from business owners and managers across the city.
Through confidential one-on-one interviews, the Chamber will collect feedback from participating businesses, which will help shape local economic development strategies. The ultimate goal is to create a more supportive and resilient business environment that benefits all.
Anyone interested is asked to fill out this online form or contact the Chamber directly at [email protected].
For more information, see the press release below.
The Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the launch of its Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) program, calling on businesses and organizations to participate and sign up to schedule a time for an interview. This vital program is designed to strengthen and support local businesses by gathering critical insights directly from business owners and managers across the city.
The BR+E program is a collaborative effort aimed at understanding the specific challenges, needs, and opportunities within the local business community. Through confidential one-on-one interviews, the Chamber will collect valuable feedback from participating businesses, which will help shape local economic development strategies. The ultimate goal is to create a more supportive and resilient business environment that benefits all.
What is the BR+E Program?
The Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) initiative is a proactive approach to fostering economic growth by focusing on existing businesses—those that are the backbone of our local economy. By engaging directly with business owners and managers, the program seeks to:
- Identify the needs, concerns, and opportunities of existing local businesses to guide future action
- Learn local businesses’ plans for expansion, relocation and/or retention and identify how we can help
- Promote a pro-business attitude and develop effective communication with our businesses
- Provide insights that inform policies and initiatives designed to enhance the local business climate
Why Participate?
Participating in the BR+E program gives businesses a unique opportunity to share their perspectives, highlight their needs, and influence the future of economic development in Sault Ste. Marie. The focus of this particular project is on assisting existing businesses rather than attracting new ones because existing businesses account for about 70 percent of all new jobs. The feedback collected will remain confidential, with results shared only in aggregate form (percentages and trends) to ensure the privacy of all participants. Once compiled, the data will provide a comprehensive, data-driven view of the business climate in Sault Ste. Marie and will be shared publicly.
Calling All Local Businesses and Organizations
The Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce invites businesses and organizations of all sizes and sectors to participate in this important initiative. If your business/organization is interested in participating in the BR+E interviews, please complete the form available here and the Chamber staff will contact you: https://bit.ly/4fVU8lq or contact them directly at [email protected].