The Municipality partners with Town Hall Consulting Inc. on a Business Retention & Expansion project — and invites businesses and residents to get involved.
MEAFORD, ON — The Municipality of Meaford has launched Building Business, Growing Community, a Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) project to help local businesses stay, grow, and succeed in the community. Supported by the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Rural Affairs, the project will gather input from both businesses and residents — to understand barriers to growth, identify opportunities to expand, and determine the supports the community needs — informing the Municipality’s economic development decisions and priorities in the years ahead.
“The Municipality of Meaford has been growing steadily since COVID. To that point we seemed to be in an economic paralysis after having weathered the 2008 recession. In the end, however, the pandemic brought a great many people to the shores of Georgian Bay and many chose to stay. The reason our community is so successful is that everyone is here by choice…they chose to stay or they chose to come!
The Business Retention & Expansion Study is a signal that our business community is serious about capitalizing on our steady growth. It will take a deep dive into what is working for us and what is not. It will be interesting for all of us to determine our strengths and weaknesses and out of that will come plans to strengthen and grow local business.”
– Ross Kentner, Mayor, Municipality of Meaford
A Business Retention and Expansion project is a proven, made-in-Ontario approach to economic development. Rather than focusing only on attracting new businesses, it starts with the businesses already here — because existing businesses create the majority of new jobs and investment in a community. Through interactive online tools, a survey, focus groups, one-on-one conversations, and an in-person open house, the Municipality will hear from businesses and residents alike, building a clear, local picture of what Meaford needs to support local jobs, business investment, and a resilient rural economy.
“I’m excited about the Business Retention and Expansion study because it will help us hear directly from local businesses, better understand their needs, and guide future economic development priorities in Meaford.”
– Jessica Kenyon, Economic Development & Community Growth Coordinator, Municipality of Meaford
How To Get Involved
Businesses and residents are invited to take part in several ways:
- Attend the drop-in Open House — Monopoly Night, an interactive way to share your input on the project: Wednesday, September 23, 6:00–8:00 p.m., Meaford Hall Arts & Cultural Centre.
- Stay tuned for opportunities to engage in surveys online.
Participation is voluntary and individual survey responses are kept confidential; results are compiled and reported in aggregate. Earlier focus groups and one-on-one interviews are by invitation; businesses interested in taking part can contact the project team.
To lead the work, the Municipality has partnered with Town Hall Consulting Inc., a firm specializing in economic development and strategy for rural and small Ontario municipalities. Town Hall will coordinate the engagement, analyze the findings, and work with the Municipality to turn what it hears into an actionable plan.
“We are excited to partner with the Municipality of Meaford on this project. We look forward to engaging the business community, asking questions, listening, and learning where there are opportunities to support local business to grow and expand.”
– Rob Adams, CEO & Founder, Town Hall Consulting Inc.
Jessica Kenyon
Coordinator, Economic Development & Community Growth
21 Trowbridge Street West, Meaford, Ontario, Canada, N4L 1A1
Media Contact
Holly Moroney
Manager, Communications & Customer Service
21 Trowbridge Street West, Meaford, Ontario, Canada, N4L 1A1
About Town Hall Consulting Inc.
Town Hall Consulting Inc. is a firm specializing in economic development and strategy for rural and small Ontario municipalities. Town Hall partners with communities on strategic planning, economic development, and business retention and expansion, helping turn community and stakeholder input into practical, actionable plans. Learn more at townhallconsulting.ca.