Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) Project

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Help shape how the City supports Quinte West businesses.

Share your experience in a confidential conversation this November.


Overview

The City of Quinte West is launching a Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) project for its commercial sector, and we want to hear directly from the people who run businesses here. Between Nov. 2 and Dec. 11, 2026, researchers from Context Research Group will sit down with a minimum of 75 local businesses, in person at your business or by phone, to understand what is working, what is getting in the way, and what would help you grow. BR+E is a structured, confidential business survey program used by municipalities across Ontario.

This study builds on the City's previous BR+E study and feeds directly into a Commercial Sector BR+E Action Plan that the Economic Development and Tourism Division will use to shape its programs, services, and supports over the coming years. The more businesses we hear from, the stronger the plan will be.

Who we want to hear from

Retail, professional services, restaurants and hospitality, personal services, and other commercial businesses across Quinte West, including Downtown Trenton, Frankford, and the rural wards of Sidney and Murray. Businesses of every size are welcome, from sole proprietors to the community larger employers. What participating involves a conversation of about 30 to 45 minutes with a member of the Context Research Group team.

In these discussions we will ask about your business and its outlook, workforce and hiring, your experience doing business in Quinte West, awareness of City programs such as the Community Improvement Plan, and the opportunities and challenges you see ahead. There are no right or wrong answers, and nothing you say will be attributed to you or your business unless you opt-in to share specific feedback with the City.

Ways to take part

  • Invite us to your business. This is our preferred option. Seeing where you work tells us more than any survey can. Book a time for an on-site visit here.
  • Schedule a 30-minute call. If a visit is not convenient, book a phone or video call with William Schatten of Context Research Group: Book a 30-minute call here.

Your confidentiality

Context Research Group is an independent research firm and a member of the Canadian Research Insights Council. Your responses are confidential. Results will be reported in aggregate only, no individual business will be identified in any report or presentation, and all information is handled in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). City staff will not see individual interview responses, however a business can opt-in to sharing their specific feedback with the City.

What happens next

Findings will be analyzed over the winter and reviewed with the City's Economic Development and Tourism Division and business partners. The results and the Action Plan will be presented to the business community at a breakfast event in February, and the final report will be available on this page in March.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Who is Context Research Group?
A: A Toronto-based research and strategy firm working on behalf of the City of Quinte West. The team has delivered similar business and tourism research for municipalities across Ontario, including a BR+E survey for the Municipality of Kincardine in 2026.

Q: How was my business selected?
A: The City maintains a list of commercial businesses in Quinte West. We are reaching out to businesses across sectors, sizes, and wards so the results reflect the whole commercial community. If you have not been contacted and would like to take part, book a time using the links above. Is there a cost or obligation? None. Participation is voluntary, and you can skip any question.


Help shape how the City supports Quinte West businesses.

Share your experience in a confidential conversation this November.


Overview

The City of Quinte West is launching a Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) project for its commercial sector, and we want to hear directly from the people who run businesses here. Between Nov. 2 and Dec. 11, 2026, researchers from Context Research Group will sit down with a minimum of 75 local businesses, in person at your business or by phone, to understand what is working, what is getting in the way, and what would help you grow. BR+E is a structured, confidential business survey program used by municipalities across Ontario.

This study builds on the City's previous BR+E study and feeds directly into a Commercial Sector BR+E Action Plan that the Economic Development and Tourism Division will use to shape its programs, services, and supports over the coming years. The more businesses we hear from, the stronger the plan will be.

Who we want to hear from

Retail, professional services, restaurants and hospitality, personal services, and other commercial businesses across Quinte West, including Downtown Trenton, Frankford, and the rural wards of Sidney and Murray. Businesses of every size are welcome, from sole proprietors to the community larger employers. What participating involves a conversation of about 30 to 45 minutes with a member of the Context Research Group team.

In these discussions we will ask about your business and its outlook, workforce and hiring, your experience doing business in Quinte West, awareness of City programs such as the Community Improvement Plan, and the opportunities and challenges you see ahead. There are no right or wrong answers, and nothing you say will be attributed to you or your business unless you opt-in to share specific feedback with the City.

Ways to take part

  • Invite us to your business. This is our preferred option. Seeing where you work tells us more than any survey can. Book a time for an on-site visit here.
  • Schedule a 30-minute call. If a visit is not convenient, book a phone or video call with William Schatten of Context Research Group: Book a 30-minute call here.

Your confidentiality

Context Research Group is an independent research firm and a member of the Canadian Research Insights Council. Your responses are confidential. Results will be reported in aggregate only, no individual business will be identified in any report or presentation, and all information is handled in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). City staff will not see individual interview responses, however a business can opt-in to sharing their specific feedback with the City.

What happens next

Findings will be analyzed over the winter and reviewed with the City's Economic Development and Tourism Division and business partners. The results and the Action Plan will be presented to the business community at a breakfast event in February, and the final report will be available on this page in March.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Who is Context Research Group?
A: A Toronto-based research and strategy firm working on behalf of the City of Quinte West. The team has delivered similar business and tourism research for municipalities across Ontario, including a BR+E survey for the Municipality of Kincardine in 2026.

Q: How was my business selected?
A: The City maintains a list of commercial businesses in Quinte West. We are reaching out to businesses across sectors, sizes, and wards so the results reflect the whole commercial community. If you have not been contacted and would like to take part, book a time using the links above. Is there a cost or obligation? None. Participation is voluntary, and you can skip any question.

Page published: 03 Nov 2026, 09:52 AM