Haldimand County BR+E Strategy

Strong economies don’t happen by accident; they’re built by listening, learning, and acting on what local businesses truly need.

Haldimand County’s Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) program and strategy set out to prove that economic development isn’t just about attracting new businesses; it’s about helping existing ones grow and thrive. This initiative focused on amplifying real voices, challenges, and opportunities within Haldimand’s diverse business community.

Launched in 2022 with support from Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Fund, BR+E aimed to understand what local businesses need to succeed. It took a cross-sector approach, engaging agriculture, manufacturing, retail, restaurants, services, tourism, and home-based businesses while assessing trends and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The message was clear: every business matters.

At the heart of the BR+E strategy was relationship building. Over 71 businesses were engaged through in-depth interviews, surveys, and follow-ups, collecting data across more than 50 performance indicators. These weren’t just check-box exercises; they were authentic, meaningful conversations that placed business owners at the center. Through this direct feedback, Haldimand gained insights into operational challenges, future plans, and untapped opportunities. The program was designed to be responsive and actionable, offering follow-up support to ensure businesses received tailored guidance and resources.

The results speak for themselves:
– 52% of businesses plan to expand within 18 to 24 months, and 31% anticipate workforce growth, representing over 150 new local jobs.
– Thirty-four funding referrals were made during and after the consultation period.
– Eight meetings with provincial representatives led to four successful project funding applications and two digital program grants.
– Fifty-nine municipal staff referrals resulted in six meetings with the Development Concierge Team to help businesses navigate regulations, three pre-consultation meetings, and two building permits issued, directly supporting new construction and expansion.

Other connections focused on ensuring businesses had timely access to critical information, resources, and guidance to make informed decisions and move projects forward.

Marketing and outreach played a key role in keeping businesses engaged and informed. A mix of digital promotion, printed materials, and direct outreach helped build trust and strengthen connections. The Business Development and Planning Advisory Committee also served as a strong partner, reinforcing the County’s commitment to being accessible and supportive.

What truly sets Haldimand’s BR+E program apart is that it didn’t stop at data collection. The County completed the full BR+E cycle: gathering insights, analyzing and sharing results, and most importantly, implementing high-impact programs directly based on what businesses identified as priorities.

These initiatives included a workforce recruitment campaign highlighting local employers and skilled trades, paired with job fairs to connect employers and job seekers; the “Discover Your Happy Haldimand” print piece, designed to encourage local spending and build deeper community connections; and business welcome packages to showcase incentives, resources, and supports for new and expanding businesses.

Sustainability also played a key role. One of the most impactful outcomes is that BR+E is now a permanent, ongoing service within Haldimand’s Economic Development and Tourism portfolio. By embedding it as a core initiative, the County ensures continuous support, stronger relationships, and a future-focused approach to helping local businesses succeed, turning what began as a one-time project into a lasting commitment.

Most importantly, the BR+E reflects Haldimand County’s pride in its business community. It signals clearly that supporting local growth is at the heart of Haldimand’s economic vision.