Timmins is one of Canada’s top 20 places to do business, according to a report published by the Financial Post and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). Entitled “Communities in Boom”, the annual report released on Oct. 21 examined 107 large and mid-sized cities across Canada to analyze their entrepreneurial activity. This year, Timmins ranked 12th overall, a significant rise from its rank of 39 in the 2012 survey, and its rank of 83 in 2011. Of Ontario communities included in the report, Timmins ranks only behind Toronto and Leamington.
Timmins continued rise as a national hotspot for business confidence is the result of ongoing improvements across the report’s 14 indicator categories, including overall entrepreneurship and government policy. In particular, Timmins scored well with a healthy number of building permits, high business expectations for more full-time hires, and a strong level of business start-ups leading to self-employment.
“These figures confirm the economic growth and optimism that Timmins has continued to see in recent years,” said Timmins Mayor Tom Laughren.
“To rank 12th in a pool of 107 municipalities reinforces the fact that Timmins is ‘top of mind’ for many when it comes to our booming economy and the many investment opportunities that exist as a result.”
The report also indicates that Timmins businesses are becoming much more optimistic about government regulation, and are more satisfied with the City’s awareness of small business needs. The Timmins Chamber has worked diligently with its members and the City to address these specific areas throughout the last year; these efforts are clearly having an impact, according to Chamber President Phil Barton.
“Timmins is home to some truly amazing and innovative entrepreneurs, and this report speaks to the hard work the Chamber and the City have undertaken to help provide them with the tools they need to do business better,” said Barton. “As we continue to represent the interests of our members, we’re extremely pleased to see Timmins businesses respond with growing confidence in their ability to grow and thrive. This is a great place to do business, and we certainly agree that it’s one of the very best in Canada.”
