Community Profile - Introduction

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Introduction

At the very heart of North America lies Brandon Manitoba, a city that has built its reputation on providing the atmosphere in which business can succeed without artificial incentives. Brandon is rated as the best municipality for small business in western Canada Based on a membership survey of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
* 2006 Census Canada. We have no hidden surprises in our tax structure. The city’s overall business cost competitiveness is consistently ranked in the top 10 percent of over 50 Canadian Cities. Contributing to Brandon’s overall cost competitive environment is the fact that there is no municipal business tax. The economy’s diversification provides an extremely stable and positive environment for businesses to compete within the global economy.

When you combine Brandon’s attractive business environment with a balanced lifestyle, profit and personal reward are the natural result. In today’s busy world, time has become a precious commodity. Thanks to Brandon’s maximum in city commute of 12 minutes, business owners spend little time in traffic which allows them the freedom to choose how they spend their time. Time to grow their business, time to spend with family and friends, time for recreation, time for education, the choice is theirs.

Located in close proximity to a 24 hour US border crossing and international airport, near the geographic centre of North America, accessible by cargo rail and charter air, and at the cross roads of two major highway systems – Brandon is well placed for product export and supply import. 2 hours west of Winnipeg, 1 hour north of the US border, 1 hour east of the Saskatchewan - Brandon’s central location is ideally suited for North American and global impact.

Brandon acts as the service centre for some 180,000 people, including the entire Southwest Economic Region which has a total population of 103,333 (2006 Census). The primary trading area, includes roughly 60,000 people within a 30 km radius of the City of Brandon. Included within the trading area is CFB Shilo, located approximately 30 km from Brandon employing approximately 1400-1500 military and 438 civilians.

Brandon’s Labour Force is regional in nature and has proven to be an extremely stable and committed work force. The labour force is drawn from approximately 67 municipalities*, with 25% of the labour force living in rural communities outside the city’s boundaries. The community is home to Assiniboine Community College, Brandon University, the Manitoba Emergency Services College, and private vocational schools to serve the region’s education and training needs.

When considering all types and sizes of business, Brandon is home to approximately 2000 businesses, of which roughly 350 directly serve the agricultural market place. Brandon’s ties to the agricultural sector are strengthened by the presence of the Federal Agricultural Research Station. Brandon’s ratio of chamber of commerce members versus number of active businesses is one of the highest in Canada.

Brandon is a progressive community that works diligently to preserve and enhance its enviable quality of life. Brandon’s economy is expanding with an eye to the future but with a firm grasp on why residents enjoy living here. Ask any new resident to describe why they chose Brandon and you will hear these terms used frequently: opportunity, quality of life, value, competitive advantage, friendly and diverse.

Brandon’s emerging reputation on the national and international stage as a city that can do it all was developed through a concerted community effort. Years of sound fiscal management, a growing population, and a shared vision for the city’s future have all played a contributing role. In 2009, Standard & Poor’s affirmed its issuer credit and senior unsecured debt ratings on the City of Brandon as AA- . The rating reflects the city's solid operating performance, a robust local economy and strong support from the provincial government. The stable outlook reflects Standard and Poor’s expectation that the city's economic performance will remain healthy.

At the end of the day, one of Brandon’s greatest assets is the balance between profit and personal reward. Though Brandon presents all the diversity and convenience of a much larger centre, the city has remained a close knit community that takes a great deal of pride and ownership. A low crime rate, affordable housing, educational excellence and abundant recreation and cultural opportunities create a healthy environment to attract and retain employees.

We invite you to take a closer look at Brandon, and you too will soon discover that the balance between business success and a fulfilling personal life is truly achievable. In Brandon, you truly can have it all.

Economic Development Brandon is ready to help you explore the opportunities Brandon has to offer your business in a competent and confidential manner.

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