While Economic Development Officer Marilyn Crewe already had a strong sense of how things were going in Neepawa’s business community, she recognized that personal impressions and anecdotal conversations could only go so far. Feelings, while important, are not a substitute for hard data, and she understood that there might be blind spots in her understanding of the broader local landscape. To address this, the Town of Neepawa undertook a formal Business Retention and Expansion Survey over the summer months. Conducted by a third-party firm, the survey reached out to a representative sample of businesses across a range of sectors, asking detailed questions that touched on many aspects of daily operations, future growth, and overall satisfaction.

Now that the results have been made public, Crewe says she is encouraged by what the data shows. In fact, across nearly every metric that the consultants examined, the town received positive results. Even the response rate for the survey itself was a highlight, coming in at more than four times higher than the industry average—an indicator, Crewe believes, that Neepawa’s business community is not only engaged but also eager to have their voices heard. Among the areas measured were growth opportunities, access to human resources, and the effectiveness of the town’s marketing and promotional efforts. In each case, the numbers pointed toward a healthy and optimistic business environment.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the study is the overall health of Neepawa’s business sector. Compared to national benchmarks, Neepawa performed well above average. Even more telling was the level of contentment among respondents, with an impressive 94% of businesses expressing satisfaction with their current situation in the community. This, Crewe notes, speaks volumes about the stability and vitality of Neepawa’s local economy.

That said, the survey did not shy away from identifying challenges. Crewe was candid in pointing out three key areas that require ongoing attention: the availability of affordable and suitable housing, the need for accessible and reliable child care, and the importance of expanding post-secondary educational opportunities that align with local market demands. These are not new issues, she added, but ones the town has already been working to address. For example, the opening of a post-secondary training facility in 2023 marked a significant step toward bridging the education gap, and further initiatives are in the works to tackle the other concerns.

Even beyond the results, the very act of conducting the survey has proven valuable. “For Neepawa to take a moment to listen to business in a comprehensive way that only a study like this can do is a huge step forward,” Crewe reflected. The process not only validated much of what the town already suspected but also provided concrete evidence to guide future planning. With clear data in hand and a strong base of community support, Neepawa is well-positioned to continue building on its successes while strategically addressing the challenges that remain.