Halton Region is preparing a rural agricultural strategy to support and enhance the long-term viability and sustainability of the agriculture/rural economy in Halton. This strategy will inform the future policy direction in the Regional Official Plan, and other economic development initiatives of the Region.

For this strategy to be successful, advice and guidance from the agricultural and rural community and all levels of government is required. The strategy once developed will identify the opportunities to support the agricultural economy and the steps needed to ensure it continues to thrive on a go forward basis. The active involvement of the agricultural and rural community is critical to developing a vision and effective action plan going forward.

Just as a survey of farmers is a key component of the work, so too is obtaining the input of businesses in the hamlets and rural clusters in order to obtain their perspectives on how to improve their viability and ensure continued success. This short CONFIDENTIAL survey is your opportunity to provide input and guidance on this important initiative. The survey will only take 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

If there are other thoughts you would like to raise, please include these in the final section of the document.

Thank you for your contribution!

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* 1. Name and address of the business:

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* 2. Name and position of the contact person:

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* 3. Type of business (in your own words):

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* 4. Location of business (i.e. which hamlet or rural cluster are you in or located nearest to)

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* 5. Is this a ‘home-based’ business, occupation or cottage industry? (A home-business is one which is primarily carried out in the same facility as the place of residence).

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* 6. How long has the business been in operation?

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* 7. How many employees are in the business:

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* 8. How many of the employees identified above are:

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* 9. What is the annual gross sales range of the company:

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* 10. Do you belong to any local or regional business organizations? If so, please list:

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* 11. What percentage of your annual sales are made to the following market segments:

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* 12. Where do you sell to geographically (as a percentage of sales)?

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* 13. How dependent would you say your business is on sales to the agricultural community?

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* 14. Which of the following reasons explains why your business is located where it is? (Check as many as apply)

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* 15. What, if any, are the challenges in doing business from your current location? (Please describe in your own words)

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* 16. What is your outlook for sales and market growth over the next five years?

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* 17. Why is that your expectation?

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* 18. What is the likelihood that your business will continue in its current location over into the next five years?

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* 19. Why do you expect to do that?

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* 20. What recommendations would you like to see as a result of the study in order to improve the long-term sustainability of the agricultural and rural economy in Halton Region?

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* 21. What role should the Region play in promoting the long-term viability and future success of the agricultural industry? Please describe.

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* 22. Do you have any other comments you would like to make?

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