By Justin Crann
Heads up, entrepreneurs. A recent survey has listed Moose Jaw fourth of more than 100 Canadian cities for new business.
“We’re right up there,” said Brian Martynook, executive director of the Moose Jaw and District Chamber of Commerce. “Entrepreneurs are looking forward to starting businesses here in Moose Jaw.”
The survey, authored by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), based its findings on three factors: business outlook, existing business presence and the receptiveness of local policy.
“It’s a combination of things that speak well of the business environment and the cost of doing business in Moose Jaw,” said Mayor Glenn Hagel.
Hagel was quick to emphasize the city’s particularly strong performance with respect to policy.
“Moose Jaw received a 30 (in policy) and, with Prince Albert, it is the highest in that category in the country. If you look at the list, there is no 31,” he said.
“How accomodating our policy is, is really reflective in the numbers,” said Martynook. “We’re even stronger than Grand Prairie, which is No. 1 (overall).”
When paired with an earlier KPMG study that ranked Moose Jaw first among 33 Midwest U.S. and Western Canadian municipalities, the CFIB survey paints a very positive picture for prospective business owners, according to Hagel.
“That two very different bodies that do their analyses of good places to do business have ranked us so highly speaks well to the business environment,” he said. “I would say our business sector is steadily growing, and information like this helps to reinforce that this is a good place to do business.”
According to Martynook, 159 new businesses opened in Moose Jaw in the nine month period between January and September 2012.
“People do look at these surveys ... they put us on the map,” Martynook said. “We’re ranked fourth of 103 cities, and for the size of city that we are, that’s pretty damn good.”
For more details, see an upcoming edition of the Moose Jaw Times-Herald.
