Orleans Weekly Journal
Published: Friday, October 31, 2008

A focus on local business

Small business is the job creation engine of our national economy, or so the small business lobby repeatedly tells us.

While the small and medium enterprise sector lags behind big business when it comes to investing in training and technology, there is no discounting that the small business sector is a major employer.

With the absence of major employers here in Orléans, the small – or shall we say manageable scale and scope – business sector is very important to our local economy. And you have an opportunity to celebrate and honour those local businesses that you think go above and beyond for you in terms of service, quality and price by voting in the annual People’s Choice Business Award run by the Orléans Chamber of Commerce.

Over 150 local businesses and entrepreneurs across 11 categories have been nominated by their customers and peers for service and professional excellence. But you only have until this Monday at midnight to cast your vote so I encourage you to surf by www.orleanschamber.ca and follow the links.

While the National Capital Region is better positioned than other cities to weather the present economic storm – thanks to the massive presence of the federal government and a relatively stable housing market – businesses will suffer as we tighten our proverbial belts and trim household budgets.

And local entrepreneurs on St. Joseph Boulevard, Innes Road, Tenth Line and a host of other Orléans thoroughfares will feel this pinch.

Many owners of these local enterprises (think drycleaner, family restaurant, tailor, car dealership, auto repair, ethnic food store, local pizzeria, plumber, appliance repair shop, specialty clothier, vacuum guy … the list goes on) are our neighbours and friends.

They are successful entrepreneurs due to their integrity and the accountability that comes as we stare into the whites of their eyes across the store counter or across our front lawns.

In these challenging economic times, I ask you to think of our local businesses – as opposed to a trip downtown, or Montreal or Toronto – as you think of your daily needs or as you gear up for Christmas shopping.

And again I encourage you vote in the Chamber’s People’s Choice Business Awards (deadline is Nov. 3 at midnight with the ceremony on Nov. 19) to get a sense of the variety of local businesses that serve us each and every day.

Readers have emailed or spoken to me about their desire to live, play and work in their own community.

So what should our local economic groups focus on in terms of attracting new jobs to Orléans … what sectors … security, retail, biotechnology, light manufacturing? What are the strengths that we should exploit and promote? I welcome your thoughts at orleansouttakes@transcontinental.ca.