FAQs
- Type and nature of business operations
- Number of employees
- Space occupied
- Growth opportunities
- Challenges impacting business success
- Monitoring local economic trends
- Creating and maintaining business directories
- Analyzing and promoting key business sectors
- Supporting tourism and investment attraction initiatives
- Informing business attraction, expansion, and retention strategies
- Forecasting future infrastructure and workforce requirements
- Contact from courteous, well‑trained County staff
- Outreach by telephone, email, or in person
- A brief set of questions requiring approximately 15 minutes to complete
What Is the Business Count?
Between May and August, Peterborough County’s Business Count team will contact businesses across the county via in-person, telephone or email. The basic information collected includes:
How Will the Information Be Used?
Information collected through the Business Count will support a range of economic development activities, including:
By participating, businesses help shape the economic future of Peterborough County.
What Can Businesses Expect?
Participation is straightforward, efficient, and designed to minimize disruption to your business operations. You can also complete an online survey.
What if I am too busy to answer questions when the business surveyors arrive?
The surveyors will be happy to reschedule an interview with you at a time and format that is more convenient for you, or you can complete the survey online. Take the Survey
What if I have additional information to share that wasn’t asked in the survey?
We would be happy to arrange a more fulsome consultation with you at a time that is convenient for you and your business schedule. Contact the EcDev Team to schedule your personal consultation.
What if I operate a home-based business?
While students will only be visiting commercial properties, we still want to learn about you and your business. Please complete the online survey to share your information. If there’s more you’d like to discuss, we’re happy to schedule a follow-up consultation. Please note that students will not be visiting personal residences, but will be available for phone interviews.
When will you be in my community?
May 11- 22 North Kawartha
May 25 – 29 Douro Dummer
June 1-12 Trent Lakes
June 15-19 Havelock-Belmont-Methuen
June 22 – 26 Asphodel Norwood
June 29 – July 10 Cavan-Monaghan
July 13 – 19 Otonabee South Monaghan
July 20 – 31 Selwyn
When will the final report be completed?
There will be a great deal of information collected and will require some time to review and analyze. It is expected that a final report will be presented to County Council in Q4 of 2026 and will be posted online.
How confidential is my data?
Data collected through the Business Count is retained by the County of Peterborough. Sensitive information is used internally for planning purposes and kept confidential. Any public reporting will be presented in aggregate form only, ensuring individual businesses cannot be identified.
What information will you be asking for?
1. What is the name of your business?
2. What is your business website?
3. What is the address (including unit number) of your business?
4. What municipality does your business operate in?
5. What is the survey respondent's name? (Just in case we need to follow up)
6. What is the primary company contact name for this business?
7. What type of business do you operate?
8. What type of space do you operate from?
9. How many square feet does your business operate in?
10. How many year-round, full-time, part-time, or seasonal staff do you employ?
11. Are you going to be hiring staff in the next 12 months?
12. Are you having trouble hiring? And if so, what are the hiring obstacles?
13. Is there a particular skill or position you are having a difficult time recruiting for?
14. Are you having a problem retaining staff? And if so Why?
15. What are some challenges that your business is facing?
16. Are you planning on expanding in the next 12 months?
17. Are there any other opportunities that you would like for us to know about (anniversaries, new products/services, expansion, new hires, new customers, etc.)
18. EcDev is exploring opportunities to offer additional training for local businesses. Which types of training would you and/or your staff be interested in?
19. Would you like a copy of this report when it is ready?
20. Would you like to be added to our newsletter that will include information on funding, workshops, events etc.?