The city of Canby’s Economic Development Department wrapped up its Canby business survey recently as it sought to get the pulse of Canby’s business community.
The city conducts this survey every three years.
“We have seen a tremendous response from the business owners here in Canby,” said Mariah Dodson, the city’s community outreach specialist and the project manager for the survey effort. “It’s our best response rate to date. A 20 percent response rate is considered an excellent level and we have met and exceeded that number.”
Overall, the responses have been positive, said Dodson, adding that preliminary findings “are very encouraging.”
Eight-four percent of business owners that responded indicated that Canby is a good or excellent place to do business. That is a considerable jump from the 72 percent who responded the same in the 2012 business survey.
“It shows that Canby business as a whole is making progress and that business owners are feeling more comfortable and optimistic than they were just a few years ago,” said Dodson.
Additionally, 32 percent of business owners responded that they have seen expanded sales with the improving economy, and 16 percent have expanded their staff, creating more job opportunities in Canby.
“We will get a full presentation after Economic Development analyzes the overall results. I am very pleased that we had such a great response and increased numbers, to the survey,” said Mayor Brian Hodson. “This is one way we can measure what is happening across the entire business community. The survey gives us an unfiltered perspective from those that drive our economy.”
The Economic Development Department will use the new information to guide future development strategies and business assistance efforts.
“We want to be able to capitalize on the strengths and opportunities in Canby and work to improve those areas in which businesses are facing challenges,” said Dodson.
The full survey report will be presented to Canby City Council and released to the public in the coming weeks after the final analysis is completed.
“I think the reported growth of the businesses is good news. I continue to be optimistic of the economic growth of Canby as well as our county,”?said Hodson. “We are on an incremental growth pattern that is steady and I want to make sure it is sustainable. I will not say we have recovered at a state level. I think we need to be diligent in recruiting businesses and looking at ways to promote all angles — industrial, services, health care, retail, etc., of Canby to continue this positive growth before I would say we have fully recovered. We are on the right track and going in a positive direction as a city.”
“I want to say thank you again to our business community for their participation and involvement,” said Dodson. “It is wonderful to see.”
Originally Published in Canby Herald
241 N Grant Street
Canby, Oregon 97013
Phone: 503-266-6831