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Cen tre for Innova tive b Entrepreneu ria l Leaders h ip

Forestburg BVI Assessment Summary December 2012

The Business Vitality Initiative (BVI) helps communities to assess . their capacity to work with and support entrepreneurs, and to foster small business growth. The BVI measures the perceptions of community leaders, business people and citizens about the current

. business environment in their community and compares the results to an average of other communiti·es to determine possible short and long· term actions the commuhity can undertake to improve its business friendliness.

The Forestb&Jrg BVI was initiated by a partnership between the Alberta Urban Municipalities

Describing the community. Paricipan s ere. asked o i e t l1r ords t . d scrlb orestbw g. n os cor n1011

v ords glv n w friendl'/, clean, beautiful~ and prosperous.

Association (AUMA) and CIEL. Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development (ARD) funded it. The community sponsor was the Village of Forestburg, which selected the participants. The local project coordinator is Debra Moffatt, CAO of Forestburg.

On November 13, 2012, 11 people attended the BVI session held at the Village Offi.ce, where they took part in focus groups and discussions. ~ine members .Strengths: of the gro.up frll~d out the Participants we _ ask ·.d to name -h ee BVI questronnaire. streng hs not used to po en ial In

CIEL has written a 63 page report on that session, and this document summarizes it.

Forestburg. Th _ most omm n spo s ~ w r recreation facilities,

youth,, and people.

This Forestburg BVI is a special modified version of the BVI that includes an assessment session only.

Forestburg, Alberta BVI 1 http://www.theciel.com

December 2012

The Assessment

The multiple-choice section of the two-part questionnaire asked the participants to rate their community by agreeing or disagreeing with a series of statements related to entrepreneurial capacity. Each statement was framed in a positive context (e.g. marketing services in my community are affordable and accessible). Participants were asked to rate the statement with one of the following: completely agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree, completely disagree, or don't know.

If all respondents completely agreed to a positively worded statement, the question score

i

Predicted top economic dr.vers I the '" years? A TCO POWf!'t", co·al mine,, agriculture.

To untapped business opportun ities? Clothing store, expanded use of .rc1ilway.

would be 100. If all respondents completely disagreed with the statement, the question score would be 0. A neutral response (neither agree nor disagree) would be scored as 50. A score over 50 would indicate that there is a perceived good capacity, while a score less than 50 would indicate a perceived lower capacity.

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53

Forestburg and the 28-Community Average Section Scores In the full report on the Forestburg BVI, CIEL has analyzed the ten BVI sections, illustrated by charts and graphs such as the ones on the next page.

The radial graph below shows the score out of 100 for each of the ten BVI sections. The area circumscribed by Forestburg's scores is shaded. The darker black line

Top three way.s to im,prove Fo s burg?

More retaN and local shopping, attraction for A Teo employees to live here, grocery store.

connects the 28-community average scores. The bar graph below it

Forestburg, Alberta BVI 2 . December 2012 http://www.theciel.com

gives the same information in a different format.

A. Opportunities and At1ltudes

- 100,ilP--

J. Markets and Marketing --;;; _

L Communication and Connectivity

G.

C. Education and Training

/ D. Innovation

/ . Leadership. Teamwork,

and Net 11orking

F Role of Government and Organisations

100 ------------·---------------·----------------------~---··---·----·---·-···------··--

0 80 0

0 70


December 2012

Recurring Themes

The qualitative (written answer) section of the questionnaire collects information about the issues, strengths and weaknesses within the community. (e.g. What are 3 words or phrases that describe your community? What is your community's greatest strength in terms of its markets?), as well as additional comments in each of 10 sections. The following themes were particularly prominent throughout those sections of the Forestburg BVI.

• Villa e seen as friendl beautiful and clean. • Health care schools and infrastructure seen as valuable assets. • Diversified commercial base. Have the basics in terms of

businesses for the community; now need to be strategic in terms of attracting next-step businesses to take community to new level.

• There is currently no cohesive brand. Brand needs to be develo ed and romoted to remote communit .

• Affordable residential rental and commercial accommodation are both llimitin issues.

• Catalytic business organization like Chamber needed to move business-friendliness forward In terms of encouraging training, mentorin networkin , buildin ca acit ·oint marketin etc.

• Engagement of key employers needed to address issues like em lo ees & families livin in Villa e a renticeshi s etc.

Recommended Short-term Actions

c B

• Buy local project (e.g. local coupons, identifying customer and business gaps, customer appreciation days, 3/$60 campaign, etc.)

• Approach Community Futures or others to increase and promote business training opportunities (e.g. customer service, marketing, youth mentoring, social media, branding, etc.)

• Youth opportunity identification session to engage youth and identify 'doable' entrepreneurial, educational and recreation a I opportunities


December 2012

Marke ing

N WO ' ~ng

.Ad mi R sea ch. Plann i g

• Assess interest in uniting event(s) &. attraction(s) for community

• Targeted and strategic recruitment for specific businesses & needs mentioned (e.g. seniors housing, cl1othing store, anchor business, etc.)

• Increase attractiveness & usability of webasite to improve communication and promote community events (e.g. www.Time.ly)

• Meet & work with largest employers to discuss joint needs and address Village issues like increasing employees and families living in Village, increasing apprenticeships, etc.

• Series of forums or workshops showcasing new and innovative ideas from within region and beyond

• Provide support to get Chamber of Commerce running again

• Investigate ways to increase railroad opportunities, including tourism

• Educate key stakeholders on importance of a brand to attain critical mass to create brand (e.g. Battl1e River Beef)

• Research affordable housing solutions I • Investigate feasibility of expansion of business hours

Recommended Long-Term Actions

Capaoy Buflding

N , orking

• Buy local program • 'Learning challenge' initiative to change attitudes

around learning, ongoing skills acquisition and innovation

• Youth engagement strategy Ongoing strategy to Increase the capacity of local businesses

• Downtown/town beautification to target vacant or illmaintained buildings Brand develo ment and remotion

• More actiive engagement of service clubs in community and business vitality

• Im rove hi h s eed internet to south industrial


December 2012

subdivision and other problems areas

• Investigate incentives for people wanting to invest in property, businesses (e.g. tax-free for a year) .

• Research options for expansion of affordable commercial space

• Investigate expansion of air service to Fort McMurray • Research child care options to accommodate shift work • Research attracting anchor business ·

The 10 Highest Scoring Questions

Qu · s ion

C6 There are quality elementary and secondary schools in the area.

Existing infrastructure (e.g. local roads, H4 water, power) Is of good quality, well

maintained, serviced, and modern .

A quality health care facility is Bl accessible, well serviced and within a

reasonable distance.

The governing bodies (town councils,

Fl regional district) recognize that businesses are important and valuable for the development of the area .

Core business areas are easily H2 accessible by all users (e.g. parking,

sidewalks, crosswalks, etc.).

A4 Successful businesses want to remain in the area.

There are plentiful and varying 84 opportunities for involvement (e.g. arts,

athletics, politics, church groups).

13 Quality communication services (phone, cell phone, high speed internet, etc.)


Score out of 100 28-

O/o

ores bu g Com-

Dtffe -mun1 y

Averaae ence

86 79 9°/o

83 68 22°/o

81 72 12°/o

81 74 10°/o

81 62 30°/o

78 81 -4°/o

78 69 13°/o

69 63 10°/o

December 2012

are adequate for business.

Lenders are willing to take chances Gl based on lndivldual character and good

business ideas

E4 We collaborate and cooperate with neighbouring communities.

The 10 Lowest Scoring Questions

---Quest on

. J3 The area has a distinctive or unique

brand or marketing image.

14 Public transportation within the area is adequate.

Businesses in the area /region jointly J4 market their products and services as a

group, locally and in other regions.

JS People prefer to purchase local products and services.

There are formal and informal forums

01 (conferences, workshops, association breakfast meetings) on technology and technology appl'ications.

Support and assistance for innovative 02 business research and development is

available.

H7 Quallity rental space is available to accommodate business needs.

The education and business C4 communities work together to provide

convenient training for businesses.

Business skills training is available (e.g. Cl business plan development, marketing,

accounting, etc.).


68 47 46°/o

64 41 55°/o

Score out of 100 2.S

Com-O/o

forestb 1rg mun tty

Dif e -1 Average 1

ence

6 40 -86°/o

13 29 -57°/o

16 32 -51 O/o

31 41 -26°/o

31 31 1°/o

32 44 ·"".28°/o

33 45 -26°/o

33 41 -19°/o

34 52 -34°/o

December 2012

.

11

A6

65

A4

C4

A3

f 1

Hi

J2

JS

D3

E6

cs A pool of skilled labour is available to 36 37 -2%

local businesses in the area.

The "Gut Check 12"

The following 12 questions provide a snap-shot of a community's business vitality. These key questions can be used to Inform future efforts aimed at improving business friendliness. They are taken from the 60 BVI questions.

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Q es, Ion

The· area is facing a significant economic opportunity. Young adults (25-34) consider the area to be a desirable place to live. Successful businesses want to remain in the area. The education and business communities work together to provide convenient training for businesses. Citizens are motivated to learn new skills and to develop existinq ones. The governing bodies (town councils, regional district) recognize that businesses are important and valuable for the development of the area. There are vibrant, active downtown areas or community cores. Products and services are reasonably priced in comparison to regional and big city competitors People prefer to purchase local products and services. Local businesses demonstrate creativity and innovation in seekinq new customers. There Is a pool of talented leaders with diverse skills, cultural experiences and backgrounds who are available for leading area initiatives.


Score out of 100 ....

26

Porestburg Com-

munlty Average '

53 63

42 48

78 81

33 41

41 52

81 74

47 47

44 56

31 41

50 52

61 66

December 2012

o/o Differ-ence

-16°/o

-13°/o

-4°/o

"-19°/o

-21 O/o

10°/o

-1 O/o

-20°/o

·26°/o

-4°/o

-7°/o

G1 Lenders are willing to take chances based on individual character and good business ideas

Forestburg, A lberta BVI 9 http://www.theciel.com

68 47 · 46°/o

·December 2012

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