Market Strengths and Trends

Information obtained from the Minto Business Retention & Expansion Survey (2007)
66 Businesses were surveyed

 Impression of the Community
·        73% of the businesses surveyed said that Minto is a good to excellent place to do business.

·        70% of businesses surveyed indicated that they had no change in attitude in the last three years. Of those who did express a change in attitude 50% had a more positive attitude.

·        86% of businesses strongly agree or agree that there is plenty of convenient parking in the downtown.

·        77% of businesses believe the downtown is an excellent place to do business.

·        76% feel that the look and feel of the downtown helps their business.

·        76% believe that the existing business mix in the downtown helps their business.

 Advantages of Doing Business in Minto

·        Location on major traffic routes
·        Friendly community
·        Central location - one hour from cities and one hour from beaches
·        Lower business and housing costs
·        Rural lifestyle

Factors for doing business in Minto that were rated as good to excellent by 70% or more of the businesses

·        Quality of life
·        Support from local business
·        Telecommunication infrastructure capacity
·        Access to markets, customers and clients
·        Availability of utilities
·        Labour costs
·        Access to suppliers

Improving the Retail Business Environment

·        Façade Improvement Grant Program (announced in 2009)
·        Streetscape Plan (completed in 2008, implementation in 2010 & 2011)
·        Business Recruitment Program (2010)
·        Clean streets, sidewalks and landscaping
·        Public washrooms

Number and Type of New Businesses Opened

·        Evergreen Variety (2007)
·        Harry Stone's Pizza Burger & Ale House (2008)
·        Mortgage Centre & Leslie Mitchell Investments (2008)
·        Quality Discounts Clothing (2009)
·        Primerica (2010)
·        Barnaby's Car Wash & Laundry Mat (2010)
·        Moretronics (2010)
·        Concerned Mothers for Canadian Armed Forces (2010)

Major developments planned, underway and recently completed
·        A subdivision for the community of Harriston is being proposed that would create 200 new homes.

·        Streetscape improvements which include public space enhancements, interlocking brick boulevards, lighting, plantings, street furniture and public art will begin in the spring of 2010.

·        "Harriston, the hub where it starts" had been developed and will be further developed to include joint advertising opportunities, events etc. 

 Traffic Counts
Highway 109 Guelph St. Bridge Main St. Harriston
15, 511 AADT (2006, County of Wellington)

Highway 89
3,950 AADT (2006, Ministry of Transportation)