City of Oshawa launches Business Retention and Expansion Program

The City of Oshawa Business and Economic Development Services branch is pleased to formally launch a Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) Program aimed at supporting Oshawa business growth with data-based action planning. Working collaboratively with local businesses through in-person visits and digital surveys, the City aims to deliver insights and support that will promote business growth and retention throughout the city of Oshawa.

The initial project scope of the BR+E program includes data collection that will inform action plans aimed at supporting business growth, retention and expansion and deepening relationships with the local business community throughout the process. By 2025, the City plans to build further capacity between organizations through collaborations amongst related sectors of Oshawa’s economy in alignment with the Oshawa Economic Development Strategy.

The Oshawa BR+E Program is a four-stage process:

1. Preparation - Project teams and resource networks are established to work collaboratively with businesses. The official BR+E program launches after this stage.
2. Collect + Analyze - A digital BR+E survey is launched for local businesses. The data collection is then analyzed for use in the action planning stage.
3. Develop Goals + Action Plans - An action planning workshop is initiated to develop short- and medium-term action items that enhance the business ecosystem in Oshawa.
4. Implement + Monitor - The City will evaluate business performance, identify areas for improvement, and plan for future growth.

Oshawa businesses of all sizes are encouraged to participate by visiting the BR+E program webpage and taking the BR+E survey.

For more information on the City of Oshawa BR+E program, please contact [email protected] or visit Oshawa.ca/BRE

Up-to-date information on Business and Economic Development Services, news and more is available at Oshawa.ca/InvestOshawa or follow @InvestOshawa on X (Twitter).

Quotes:

“We’re actively engaging our business community to create the conditions necessary for businesses to grow and thrive along with our city,” said Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter. “Oshawa is host to thousands of businesses across diverse sectors of our economy. The voice of our business community is essential in our continued efforts to make the great city of Oshawa a location of choice for new investment and economic growth.” 

"The City of Oshawa is building a dynamic economy that is rapidly evolving and expanding,” said Councillor Tito-Dante Marimpietri, Chair of the Economic and Development Services Committee. “Our Business Expansion and Retention Program was designed as one pillar of a multi-pronged effort through our Strategic Plan to proactively engage our business community in ways that will enhance their competitive advantages and ultimately their success in the market. Oshawa is strong when our business community is strong.”

 “The BR+E program will offer the City of Oshawa new insights on issues that matter to local businesses,” said Councillor Bob Chapman, Vice Chair of the Economic and Development Services Committee. “We’re looking to develop new connections through our outreach that will influence the ways in which we develop and promote a competitive business ecosystem today and into the future.”