COLUMBIA BASIN BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION PROJECT R EPORT ON THE M INING AND M ETALLURGICAL S ECTOR S PRING 2016 (photo credit: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/washington-lawsuit-claims-teck-toxins-caused-disease-1.2472544) The Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute, at Selkirk College, is a regional research centre that supports informed decision-making through the provision of information, applied research and related outreach and extension support. Visit www.cbrdi.ca for more information. The Kootenay Association for Science & Technology is a non-profit society representing and investing in the region’s science, technology and manufacturing sectors. Since 1998, KAST has worked to foster a culture that values innovation and entrepreneurship as vital to the region’s economic diversity and competitiveness. In 2015, KAST launched the Metallurgical Industrial Development Acceleration & Studies (MIDAS) project, an applied research, commercialization and digital fabrication training facility in Trail, B.C., focused on the metallurgical sector that exists in the region surrounding the Teck Trail Operations smelter. www.kast.com The Metallurgical Committee of the LCCDTS promotes the development of the region’s metallurgical businesses, including mining, metallurgical, environmental and related service industries, by encouraging and supporting innovative practices, networking and business development. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report describes findings from Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) surveys conducted at 40 businesses in the mining and metallurgical sector between 2012 and 2015. BRE is an actionoriented and community-based approach to business and economic development. It promotes job growth by helping communities and business sectors to learn about concerns of, as well as opportunities for, local businesses, and to set priorities for projects to address those needs. KEY RESEARCH FINDINGS Select survey results are summarized below. Survey Module Company Information Local Workforce Sales Facilities and Equipment Government Services Business Climate Finding The highest number of respondents’ businesses are classified as ‘Manufacturing’, ‘Professional, Scientific and Technical Services’, and ‘Construction’ under the North American Industry Classification system. The location was the most frequently cited reasons given for businesses to locate in a given area, indicating the reliance on a dominant company. Most companies do not have any other locations. Over half of the companies are ‘growing’. Respondents reported a total of 2,716 employees. The majority of employees are full-time. 55% of respondents were not aware of trends, technologies or other significant changes that would occur in their industry that would require new skills. The size of the market for the product or service, and the market share, is stable or increasing for the vast majority of businesses. 68% of businesses have their sales generated by their top 3 customers. 82% of businesses report that their sales are to local customers. Businesses would like to powder coating, steel and computers/software from local suppliers. 54% of businesses own the facility in which they operate. Nearly half of businesses plan to expand within 3 years, with 94% indicating that expansion will occur within the community. Top barriers to expansion are lack of identifying and accessing new markets and financing. Top rated government services include access to the US border, access to markets and access to highways/roads. The lowest ratings include availability of buildings for lease or purchase, availability of appropriately zoned land, and telecommunications. Improvements to expand telecommunication services, increasing airport service and improving airport service are the government services most in need of improvement The West Kootenay Regional Airport is the most used airport by local businesses. The overall business climate was rated as good, and the majority of businesses believe that the business climate will improve over the next five years. Business climate factors that received the highest ratings include cultural and recreational amenities and the workforce quality. Businesses most commonly listed the lifestyle, as well as the stable economy and Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector Assessment and Plans large industrial base as its greatest strength as a place to do business. The business competitiveness factors that are most important to respondents include workforce skill development, strategic alliances, and improving business management. The overall health of their company was rated as excellent by 30% of businesses and good by 62% of businesses. None of businesses are at a high risk of closing or downsizing. Local Workforce The mining and metallurgical sector in the Kootenay/Boundary region employs a total of 2,716 employees. The vast majority (86%) of employees are full-time and live within the community in which they work. Combined with the skills gaps indicated in the recruitment data, we see an indication that the industry could benefit from coordinated recruitment activities outside of the region. Actions related to this theme include working with the various levels of government to address the concerns of local employees, as well as promoting the value the industry contributes to local communities and aggressive recruitment/marketing outside of the region. Innovation The ability for companies to remain relevant and competitive through awareness of new technologies and business practices is critical. This is evident in the stated training needs and in the analysis of business competitiveness factors. As a sector influenced by global conditions, remaining current with global trends and innovations is critical as is ensuring employees have the necessary skills for companies to remain competitive and relevant. Actions in this area could include promotion of and support through the newly formed Metallurgical Industrial Development Acceleration Studies (MIDAS) Centre. Recommendations include convening industry networks to discuss and share information on emerging technologies and industry practices. The new MIDAS centre would be ideal for this function. Further, promotion of the full package of MIDAS centre services and supports should be performed to lower barriers to innovation for the region’s industry. Training & Skill Development The majority of businesses (67%) indicated that they do maintain a training budget to upgrade employee skills, and yet 61% of businesses indicated that the climate for technical training was poor. Future initiatives could include supporting and/or developing a network to help businesses identify shared training needs, promote and/or develop training opportunities, and work with educational institutions to ensure local skill requirements are considered in programming. Youth Employment Findings indicate that employees under the age of 26 are in the minority. Increasing youth involvement in the local workforce could be encouraged. Actions on this theme could involve gaining a better understanding of the reasons for the low youth employment rate, connecting local businesses with youth employment programs (federally, provincially and/or through CBT), and connecting local businesses with local schools and post-secondary institutions. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector Business Growth & Expansion 53% of businesses in the region report being in a growth cycle, and 46% indicate that they are planning to expand within the next three years. The data gathered coupled with the general positive business climate (65% rate the local business climate as ‘good’) and the optimism for the future provides a positive report on local business growth. Actions in this area could include supporting existing businesses as they plan for local expansion/growth. Assistance could come in the form of assistance with navigating regulations, and connecting businesses with resources to assist in expansion projects. It is worth noting that very few businesses (9%) sought assistance with expansion efforts from an external organisation. This is an area where improvements could be made to have local resources approach businesses proactively to understand barriers and work collaboratively towards solutions. MIDAS’s potential role should be explored. Economic Diversification Low levels of economic diversification were identified as a barrier to growth by some respondents, as well as the challenges of a geographically remote location. The industry is highly dependent on Teck, in the local mining sector. Businesses identified manufacturing, construction, and recreational services as the most important sectors to attract, but also indicated that the economic drivers with the highest future growth potential are tourism, technology based businesses, manufacturing, and green or environmental businesses. Actions to increase the diversification could include working with local businesses to identify new markets locally and elsewhere, and assessing new technologies, particularly green/environmental technologies as it relates to the mining industry. Continued collaboration between various levels of government and local businesses towards a diversified economy will be key to achieving results in this area. Supply Sourcing The data indicates that the majority of supplies come from outside the local region, but that there exists a strong practice of sourcing local supplies, with 47% of businesses indicating they are able to source their supplies locally. There is an opportunity to engage in discussion with businesses in the sector to understand what opportunities may exist to increase local supply, and actively engage existing businesses or encourage new businesses to fill that role if feasible. Supply chain analysis and gap analysis may provide information to the business network that may facilitate existing businesses, or new entrants, to move into the supply chain gaps. Succession and Business Planning Business and succession planning are critical to the health and longevity of businesses, yet only 22% of respondents indicated that they have a formal succession plan and less than half have an up-to-date business plan. Findings suggest that there are opportunities to support the business community by providing succession and business planning assistance. Open, instructive training sessions have the potential to provide a base level of support to a large number of businesses; however, given the importance of individual circumstances in business and succession planning, one-on-one assistance program could result in greater overall benefit by providing a higher level of support to businesses. Any future planning support initiatives should be aggressively advertised to ensure uptake among local businesses, and may include direct outreach to those businesses identified as part of the BRE survey. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary........................................................................................................ ii Key Research Findings ........................................................................................................... ii List of Figures ................................................................................................................ vi Project Overview ...........................................................................................................1 The BRE Concept ...................................................................................................................1 Project Objectives .................................................................................................................1 Research Considerations ................................................................................................2 The BRE Survey .....................................................................................................................2 The Data Set..........................................................................................................................2 Data Collection......................................................................................................................2 Data Input, Analysis and Reporting ........................................................................................ 2 Data Combining and Special Report Note ............................................................................... 3 Research Findings ..........................................................................................................4 Company Information ........................................................................................................... 4 Local Workforce .................................................................................................................. 11 Sales ................................................................................................................................... 20 Facilities and Equipment...................................................................................................... 25 Government Services .......................................................................................................... 33 Business Climate ................................................................................................................. 37 Assessment and Plans ......................................................................................................... 48 Recommendations ....................................................................................................... 51 Next Steps........................................................................................................................... 51 Potential Action Areas ......................................................................................................... 52 Appendix A: Data Tables .............................................................................................. 55 Company Information ......................................................................................................... 55 Local Workforce .................................................................................................................. 64 Sales ................................................................................................................................... 85 Facilities and Equipment...................................................................................................... 96 Government Services ........................................................................................................ 112 Business Climate ............................................................................................................... 115 Assessment and Plans ....................................................................................................... 134 Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Industry classification ........................................................................................................... 4 Figure 2: Facility function(s) ................................................................................................................ 5 Figure 3: Location of primary competitors .......................................................................................... 5 Figure 4: Key words and responses respondents' discussions of the factors that make them successful in this region....................................................................................................................... 6 Figure 5: Why did you choose this community to locate your business? ........................................... 6 Figure 6: Other Locations .................................................................................................................... 7 Figure 7: Location of Other Locations ................................................................................................. 7 Figure 8: Location of headquarters ..................................................................................................... 7 Figure 9: Life cycle stage...................................................................................................................... 8 Figure 10: Length of time in business .................................................................................................. 8 Figure 11: Type of business ................................................................................................................. 9 Figure 12: Ownership and management changes in last 5 years ........................................................ 9 Figure 13: Anticipated timeline for ownership change ....................................................................... 9 Figure 14: Anticipated exit strategy .................................................................................................. 10 Figure 15: Existence of formal succession plan ................................................................................. 10 Figure 16: Existence of current business plan ................................................................................... 10 Figure 17: Total number of employees ............................................................................................. 11 Figure 18: Nature of employment ..................................................................................................... 11 Figure 19: Historical Employment trend ........................................................................................... 11 Figure 20: Full-time employment trend over last 3 years ................................................................. 12 Figure 21: Full time employment trend over next 3 years ................................................................ 12 Figure 22: Age of the majority of essential employees ..................................................................... 12 Figure 23: Wages in relation to other businesses in the region ........................................................ 13 Figure 24: Trend in unfilled positions ................................................................................................ 13 Figure 25: Location of workforce recruitment .................................................................................. 13 Figure 26: Recruitment and retention challenges ............................................................................. 14 Figure 27: Key words and responses in respondents' discussion of retention challenges ............... 14 Figure 28: Recruitment Activities ...................................................................................................... 15 Figure 29: Current recruitment areas................................................................................................ 16 Figure 30: Future areas where recruitment may be challenging ...................................................... 16 Figure 31: Strategies to overcome employee recruitment challenges ............................................. 17 Figure 32: Skill level of majority of workforce ................................................................................... 17 Figure 33: Training Budget ................................................................................................................ 17 Figure 34: Awareness of any anticipated trends, technologies, significant changes that will be occurring in your industry that will require new skills ...................................................................... 18 Figure 35: Training or professional development needs................................................................... 18 Figure 36: Areas for new Training in next five years ......................................................................... 19 Figure 37: Preferred modes of training ............................................................................................. 19 Figure 38: Usual training locations .................................................................................................... 19 Figure 39: Critical considerations for employees .............................................................................. 20 Figure 40: Annual sales ...................................................................................................................... 20 Figure 41: Status of market for product/service ............................................................................... 21 Figure 42: Market Share in Comparison to Competitors .................................................................. 21 Figure 43: Projected sales growth in the next year ........................................................................... 21 Figure 44: Historic sales trend at this location .................................................................................. 22 Figure 45: Historic sales trend at parent company ........................................................................... 22 Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector Figure 46: Historic sales trend within the industry ........................................................................... 22 Figure 47: Historical export sales trend............................................................................................. 23 Figure 48: Sales generated by top 3 customers ................................................................................ 23 Figure 49: Geographic source of majority of sales ............................................................................ 23 Figure 50: International trade status................................................................................................. 24 Figure 51: Engagement with government procurement processes .................................................. 24 Figure 52: Geographic source of majority of supplies....................................................................... 24 Figure 53: Reason for out-of-area purchasing................................................................................... 25 Figure 54: Supplying products/services within the community/region ............................................ 25 Figure 55: Size of facility .................................................................................................................... 26 Figure 56: Condition of facility .......................................................................................................... 26 Figure 57: Condition of equipment ................................................................................................... 26 Figure 58: Ownership status of facility .............................................................................................. 27 Figure 59: Length of time remaining on lease ................................................................................... 27 Figure 60: Historical Investment in facility (past 18 months)............................................................ 28 Figure 61: Plans to expand within three years .................................................................................. 28 Figure 62: Room for expansion ......................................................................................................... 28 Figure 63: Adequacy of current site to support expansion ............................................................... 29 Figure 64: Expansion to occur in community .................................................................................... 29 Figure 65: Estimated expansion investment ..................................................................................... 29 Figure 66: Component of expansion budget for equipment and technology ................................... 30 Figure 67: Component of expansion budget for real estate ............................................................. 30 Figure 68: Size of facility expansion .................................................................................................. 30 Figure 69: Recent facility upgrades ................................................................................................... 31 Figure 70: Planning facility upgrades................................................................................................. 31 Figure 71: Barriers to expansion........................................................................................................ 31 Figure 72: Organizations approached for expansion assistance ....................................................... 32 Figure 73: Considering energy efficiency in expansion plans ............................................................ 32 Figure 74: Awareness of BC Hydro Power Smart .............................................................................. 33 Figure 75: Rating of government services ......................................................................................... 34 Figure 76: Key words and responses in respondents' suggestions for improvements to government services .............................................................................................................................................. 36 Figure 77: Airport service used.......................................................................................................... 36 Figure 78: New services at local airports........................................................................................... 36 Figure 79: Rating of local business climate ....................................................................................... 37 Figure 80: Rating of business climate factors .................................................................................... 38 Figure 81: Business climate today vs. 5 years ago............................................................................. 39 Figure 82: Business climate 5 years from today ................................................................................ 40 Figure 83: Community’s strengths as a place to do business............................................................ 40 Figure 84: Community's weaknesses as a place to do business........................................................ 41 Figure 85: Barriers to growth in the community ............................................................................... 42 Figure 86: Level of service from business support providers ............................................................ 43 Figure 87: Potential Suppliers............................................................................................................ 44 Figure 88: Supply to local companies ................................................................................................ 44 Figure 89: Sectors, businesses or industries that would strategically benefit you or the industry .. 45 Figure 90: Importance of business competitiveness factors............................................................. 46 Figure 91: Performance on key productivity drivers ......................................................................... 47 Figure 92: Economic drivers with greatest growth potential ............................................................ 48 Figure 93: Facility’s overall health ..................................................................................................... 49 Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector Figure 94: Overall health of parent company ................................................................................... 49 Figure 95: Local management's attitude toward community ........................................................... 49 Figure 96: Parent company's attitude toward local community ....................................................... 50 Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector PROJECT OVERVIEW This report describes the findings from Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) surveys 1 of 40 businesses from across the Columbia Basin, but chosen predominantly from the West Kootenay/Boundary region, involved in the mining and metallurgical sector specifically. These surveys were conducted between 2012 and 2015. The BRE surveys are initiated by local community partners involved in the area of economic development, typically the local Chamber of Commerce plays a pivotal role. In most instances the BRE surveys are undertaken as part of the regular services that the local agencies provide to local businesses. The agencies then work collaboratively to help implement the recommendations identified in the BRE survey. This report was commissioned through the KAST / LCCDTS Metallurgical Committee partnership. Funding for the interviews was provided by the Columbia Basin Trust. The Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute (RDI) provided training, data analysis and report writing support. THE BRE CONCEPT BRE is an action-oriented and community-based approach to business and economic development. It promotes job growth by helping communities and industry sectors learn about the concerns of, as well as opportunities for, businesses and to set priorities for projects to address those needs. Ultimately, communities and industries will have greater success in attracting new businesses if existing businesses are content with local economic conditions and community support. Business development and job creation are key factors in fostering healthy and vibrant communities—depending on the characteristics of a community’s economy, anywhere from 40 to 90 per cent of new jobs come from existing businesses. PROJECT OBJECTIVES Typical project objectives are to: 1. Identify the needs, concerns, and opportunities of existing local businesses in order that, where appropriate, local action can be taken to respond to the businesses’ needs or development opportunities; 2. Learn of the future plans of the region’s local businesses with respect to expansion, relocation and /or retention and follow-up where assistance can be provided; 3. Demonstrate the community’s pro-business attitude and develop an effective means of communication with local businesses; 1 Short and Long BRE surveys can be downloaded from: http://cbrdi.ca/research-areas/appliedresearch/business-retention-expansion/ Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 1 4. Encourage the business community’s active involvement in economic development. RESEARCH CONSIDERATIONS THE BRE SURVEY The RDI has a licence agreement with the Economic Development Association of BC for BC Business Counts, a program that provides access to an online BRE survey, contact management, and reporting system called ExecutivePulse. Data presented in this report was collected as part of a comprehensive BRE survey that is aligned with surveys conducted by other participants in the BC Business Counts program across the province of BC. Survey data can therefore be analyzed at a community, sub-regional, regional and provincial level. The base survey, consisting of 94 questions, includes modules for company information, the local workforce, sales, facilities and equipment, and future plans for growth or succession. Based on feedback from a BRE regional advisory group, thirteen region-specific questions were appended to the base BRE survey. 39 of the 40 businesses completed the additional thirteen region specific questions. THE DATA SET The companies that participated in the interviews were identified and selected as part of each of their communities’ individual Business Retention and Expansion projects. Selection criteria differs with each community, but typically includes a review of business license information and North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes to ensure a representative cross section of the business community. Subsequent to those community based survey, the companies included in this report were selected from across the Columbia Basin metals sector. A total of 40 businesses from the metals sector were selected for inclusion in this report. DATA COLLECTION Typically, a researcher is retained to interview local companies and to enter the data gathered from the interviews into the ExecutivePulse database. On average, the interview process takes approximately 90 minutes to two hours to complete, and the data entry requires an additional hour per interview. The persons interviewed are typically either the owners of the businesses or a senior manager in the company. DATA INPUT, ANALYSIS AND REPORTING The people carrying out the interviews are typically responsible for entering the data into the ExecutivePulse system. The interviewers ensure that all information is maintained in a confidential manner prior to entry into the database. The RDI is responsible for confidentiality of the information after entry into the database. Quantitative data are analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data are analysed using the grounded theory method of generating key coding themes. Based on the results of data Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 2 analysis activities, an initial draft was generated by the RDI and then reviewed with the KAST. Findings and related recommendations were assembled into this report by RDI researchers. DATA COMBINING AND SPECIAL REPORT NOTE This BRE study added to a selection of interviews performed under the KAST/KRIC Manufacturing and Technology Sector (MATS) BRE. This approach created a number of data management issues. Combining recent interviews with a partial selection 2 of previous BRE interviews, proved challenging. As a result, the initial analysis missed two companies identified by KAST as part of the Metallurgical sector. After the first draft of this report, RDI researchers extracted the remaining two company interviews and reviewed the report in light of the missing data. It was determined that the missing data only minimally impacted the results of this report. The RDI researcher has scoured this report to ensure that there are no misleading statements and that all recommendations represent the full data set. The appendices (data tables) have all been updated with the full data set. Due to resource constraints, the one facet of this report that has not been updated is the graphs. The graphs in this report are formed from only 39 of 40 companies. 2 The MATS BRE interviewed many companies that fell into neither a related industrial field, or within the geographic scope of the present study. It proved difficult to create a smooth system for selecting these companies. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 3 RESEARCH FINDINGS 3 COMPANY INFORMATION Type of Product/Service Offered The majority of businesses interviewed were clustered in three areas: manufacturing (31% or 12 respondents), professional, scientific and technical services (23% or 9 respondents), and construction (21% or 8 respondents). Figure 1: Industry classification Educational Services 3% Administrative Support, Waste Management… 10% Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 23% Information and Cultural Industries 3% Transportation and Warehousing 5% Retail and Wholesale Trade 5% Manufacturing 31% Construction 21% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% Note: 39 respondents Facility Function The majority of respondents (86% or 31 respondents) indicated that their facility provides services. Other primary functions include headquarters (67% or 24 respondents) and engineering/R&D (61% or 22 respondents). Fewer respondents indicated that their facility serves as manufacturing, distribution, or warehousing. 3 In many instances respondents provided multiple answers, resulting in responses which exceed the number of respondents. Consequently, percentages can exceed 100%. See, for example, Figure 2. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 4 Figure 2: Facility function(s) Services Headquarters Engineering/RD Manufacturing Distribution Warehousing 86% 67% 61% 39% 22% 14% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Note: 36 respondents Competition The vast majority of competition (76 % or 13 responses) reported was coming from within the province 4. Figure 3: Location of primary competitors None 6% In Province 76% Outside Canada 24% In Canada 18% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Note: 17 respondents 4 Multiple competitors were listed by respondents resulting in more responses than number of respondents. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 5 Factors for Success Figure 4: Key words and responses respondents' discussions of the factors that make them successful in this region When asked what factors made their company successful in this region, the highest number of respondents (21 % or 8 businesses) cited Location. Reputation (16% or 6 businesses), Quality product/service, knowledgable staff, and experience (all referenced by 11% or 4 businesses), were also discussed frequently. “Very driven as a group. Driven to deliver quality work.” “Teck is a big and regular customer that helps keep things steady.” “We are professional, practical and offer practical solutions. We work hard to get the work done and take a realistic approach.” “Product development is the main thing.” “Having a broad suite of resources to draw on as a one stop shop - integration of services. Choosing Location The location (53% or 10 respondents) commonly was most cited for the reason the business was located in the community. Other frequently cited reasons include the business opportunity and the fact they were already living in the community (26% or 5 respondents). Figure 5: Why did you choose this community to locate your business? Location Business opportunity Already living here Lifestyle Born and raised here 53% 26% 26% 16% 5% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Note: 19 respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 6 Other Locations 61% of respondents (22 respondents) indicated that their company does not have any other locations. Figure 6: Other Locations No 61% Yes 39% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Note: 36 respondents 86% of those other locations (6 respondents) are in other areas of the province, 43% (3 respondents) are in other parts of Canada and 29% (2 respondents) indicated that their company has another location outside of Canada. 5 Figure 7: Location of Other Locations In Province Elsewhere in nation Outside Canada 86% 43% 29% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Note: 7 respondents 78% (13 businesses) of respondents reported that their headquarters are located in British Columbia, 16% (6 businesses) indicated that they are headquartered elsewhere in Canada and 5% (2 businesses) indicated that their headquarters are located in another country. Figure 8: Location of headquarters In Province 78% Elsewhere in nation 16% Outside Canada 5% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Note: 37 respondents 5 Responses reflect that respondents can have other locations in more than one other location. Therefore total number of other locations exceeds number of respondents. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 7 Age and Life Cycle Stage Just over half of respondents (53% or 20 respondents) reported that their business is in the ‘growing’ life cycle stage. Another 39% (15 businesses) indicated that their business is in the ‘maturing’ stage. Only 5% (2 businesses) indicated that they are in the ‘emerging’ stages, and just one business (3%) indicated that they were declining. Figure 9: Life cycle stage Maturing Growing Emerging Declining 39% 53% 5% 3% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Note: 38 respondents Most businesses (14 respondents or 38%) reported that they have been in business for more than 20 years. A significant number reported that they have been in business for between 10 and 19 years (12 respondents or 32%). Figure 10: Length of time in business >20 Years 38% 10-19 Years 32% 5-9 Years 14% 1-4 Years 11% <1 Year 5% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% Note: 37 respondents Ownership and Management 87% (33 respondents) indicated their company is privately owned. Most respondents (29 respondents or 76%) indicated that their business is classified as a corporation, while 16% (6 respondents) indicated that they are a sole proprietorship. The remainder of businesses are registered as a partnership (1 respondent) or limited liability partnership (2 respondents). Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 8 Figure 11: Type of business Corporation Sole proprietorship Limited liability partnership (LLP) Partnership 76% 16% 5% 3% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Note: 38 respondents 55% of businesses (21 businesses) have not seen a management or ownership change in the last 5 years, while 45% of businesses (17 businesses) have changed management and/or ownership over that same period of time. Of the 17 respondents that have seen changes in management and or ownership, 94% (15 businesses) report that change has had a positive impact. Four businesses (11%) are expecting an ownership change in the near future. Figure 12: Ownership and management changes in last 5 years No 55% Yes 45% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Note: 38 respondents Succession and Business Plans Of the four businesses that responded and reported a pending ownership change, one expects the change will happen in two years, while three expect the process to take 3 years or more. Figure 13: Anticipated timeline for ownership change 3 years or more 75% 2 years 25% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Note: 4 respondents 25% of respondents (1 respondent) expect that the current owner will exit the business by selling it to another company, while another respondent (25% or 1 respondent) expect it to be sold/transferred to a non-family member. Of the two ‘other’ responses given (50% or 2 respondents), one respondent didn’t know how they intended to exit the business, and the other indicated it would be through an employee share purchase plan. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 9 Figure 14: Anticipated exit strategy Other Sell/transfer to a non-family member Sell to another company 50% 25% 25% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Note: 4 respondents Figure 15: Existence of formal succession plan Yes, 22% No, 78% Only 22% (8 respondents) of respondents reported that they have a formal succession plan in place. Three respondents (60%) indicated they received assistance in preparing their succession plan, with assistance coming from a business partner (1 respondent or 33%) or an accountant (2 respondents or 67%). Further, only six have identified a successor to the business. Note: 37 respondents Figure 16: Existence of current business plan Yes, 40% Less than half of all respondents (40% or 14 respondents) indicated that they have a business plan in place. No, 60% Note: 35 respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 10 LOCAL WORKFORCE Size of Workforce The 39 businesses interviewed reported a total of 2,716 employees. 26 % or 10 of the businesses surveyed indicated that they have between 20 and 49 employees, while 23% or 9 businesses indicated they have between five and nine employees or less than five. Figure 17: Total number of employees Over 100 50-99 20-49 10 - 19 5-9 Less than 5 13% 3% 26% 13% 23% 23% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% Note: 39 respondents 86% (2,330) of employment positions at surveyed businesses are full-time, while only 10% (259) are temporary and 5% (127) are temporary. Figure 18: Nature of employment Temporary Part Time Full Time 10% 5% 86% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Note: 39 respondents 35% of respondents (13 businesses) indicated that the number of employees at their business has stayed the same historically. While 51% (19 businesses) indicated that the size of their workforce has increased. Only 14% (5 businesses) indicated a decrease. Figure 19: Historical Employment trend Increasing Staying the same Declining 51% 35% 14% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Note: 37 respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 11 The last three years has seen increased and stable growth in the size of the full-time workforce, with 57% of businesses (21 respondents) reporting an increase in the number of employees, and 35% (13 respondents) reporting that full-time employment over that three year time period has remained constant. Figure 20: Full-time employment trend over last 3 years Decreased Stayed the same Increased 8% 35% 57% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Note: 37 respondents 62% of businesses (23 respondents) interviewed expect the size of their full-time workforce will increase over the next 3 years, while 30% (11 respondents) expect it to stay the same. Three businesses (8%) indicated they expected a decrease over the next 3 years. Figure 21: Full time employment trend over next 3 years Decreased Stayed the same Increased 8% 0% 10% 30% 20% 30% 62% 40% 50% 60% 70% Note: 37 respondents Workforce Demographics Of the responses received, 70% (26 responses) indicated that the majority of their essential employees are between 35 and 49 years old. There were no reported essential employees less than 25 years of age. Figure 22: Age of the majority of essential employees 50 or older 35 - 49 26 - 34 16% 70% 14% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Note: 37 respondents Wages When reporting on average wages for skilled or professional workers, the majority of responses (50% or 16 businesses) indicated they pay between $30 and $49 per hour. The most commonly reported average wage for semi-skilled workers (58% or 14 businesses) was under between $20 Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 12 and $29 and the most commonly reported average wage for entry-level workers (30% or 7 businesses of respondents) was $20 to $29. 47% of respondents (17 respondents) reported that their wage scale is similar to other businesses in the region. 6 Figure 23: Wages in relation to other businesses in the region Greater than Same as Lower than 44% 47% 8% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Note: 36 respondents Recruitment and Retention Of those businesses that responded, 76% (28 respondents) indicated that the number of unfilled positions at their company would remain constant. Figure 24: Trend in unfilled positions Increasing 24% Stable 76% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Note: 37 respondents The majority of respondents (76% or 28 respondents) reported that they primarily recruit employees from local labour markets. 16% (6 respondents) recruit provincially, while 8% (3 respondents) report that they recruit nationally. It is worth noting that no businesses reported international recruitment. Figure 25: Location of workforce recruitment Locally 76% Provincially 16% Nationally 8% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Note: 37 respondents 6 Detailed wage data is found in Appendix A. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 13 Of the 38 respondents, 43% (16 respondents) indicated that they have experienced recruitment challenges and 34% (13 respondents) indicated that they have experienced retention challenges. Figure 26: Recruitment and retention challenges Recruitment challenges 43% Retention challenges 34% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Note: 38 respondents The most frequent response in discussing employee retention issues was competitive wages (38% or 11 respondents). Avoiding layoffs (31% or 9 respondents) and supporting a positive environment (17% or 5 respondents) were other topics discussed. Figure 27: Key words and responses in respondents' discussion of retention challenges “People are regularly coming to them and asking if they have work. They have no trouble finding and keeping employees.” “They pay well, and have a good consistent level of interesting and challenging work. That seems to keep people around.” “Creating a fun work atmosphere Every 4-6 weeks they get out of the office for a fun day such as biking, paddling, rafting etc.” “Providing a satisfying, respectful workplace and paying respectful wages.” When asked what efforts businesses have undertaken to recruit employees, efforts that emerged most often were word of mouth (29% or 9 respondents), local advertising and networking (10% or 3 respondents). Respondents also cited using union halls, online advertising, and college recruitment (6% or 2 businesses). Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 14 Figure 28: Recruitment Activities None 16% Word of mouth 29% Networking 10% Local advertising 10% Union hall 6% Online advertising 6% College recruitment 6% WorkBC 3% Trade Journals 3% Social media (Facebook/ Linkedin) 3% Selling on lifestyle 3% Recruitng Firms 3% Online job boards 3% Online Job boards 3% Offer benefits/bonuses 3% Internal job postings 3% Employment agencies 3% Canada Job Bank 3% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% Note: 31 respondents Of the 16 companies that indicated they were experiencing recruitment challenges, the areas currently being recruited for among surveyed businesses include professional/technical (25% or 4 respondents), professional/other, plant managers/operators, material/fabricators, and machine operators (19% or 3 respondents respectively). The responses included in the ‘other’ categories charted below are detailed in Appendix A. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 15 Figure 29: Current recruitment areas Other 75% None 6% Professional/Technical 25% Professional/Other 19% Plant Managers / Operators 19% Material/Fabricators 19% Machine Operators 19% Electrical/Electronics 13% Administrative/Clerical 13% Mechanics 6% Machinists 6% General Laborer 6% Construction/Contractors 6% Advanced Manufacturing Workers 6% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Note: 16 respondents 49% of respondents (18 businesses) anticipate future recruitment difficulties. The most commonly anticipated recruitment areas which may prove challenging include professional/technical (22% or 4 respondents) and material/fabricators (22% or 4 respondents). The responses included in the ‘other’ categories charted below are detailed in Appendix A. Figure 30: Future areas where recruitment may be challenging Other 61% Professional/Technical 22% Material/Fabricators 22% Plant Managers/Operators 17% Mechanics 17% Machine Operators 17% Electrical/Electronics 17% Professional/Other 11% Machinists 11% General Laborer 11% Construction/Contractors 11% Advanced Manufacturing Workers 6% Administrative/Clerical 6% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Note: 18 respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 16 78% of respondents (14 respondents) indicated that they believed that there were not strategies that could be undertaken to address employee recruitment. Word of mouth (29% or 9 respondents), networking (10% or 3 respondents), and local advertising (10% or 3 respondents) were the most frequently cited strategies employers have undertaken to recruit employees. Figure 31: Strategies to overcome employee recruitment challenges No Yes 78% 22% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Note: 18 respondents Skills and Training The majority of respondents (62% or 23 respondents) indicated that over half of their workforce is comprised of skilled or professional workers, 11% (4 respondents) indicated that their workforce is mainly semi-skilled workers and 3% (1 respondent) indicated that entry-level workers make up the majority of their workforce. Figure 32: Skill level of majority of workforce Entry-level Semi-skilled Skilled/Professional 3% 11% 62% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Note: 37 respondents 67% (24 businesses) indicated that there is a training budget to upgrade employee skills. 58% (11 businesses) indicated that their company offers in-house training. Just 11% (2 businesses) use contracted training. Figure 33: Training Budget No Yes 33% 67% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Note: 36 respondents 55% of respondents (21 businesses) indicated that they were not aware of trends, technologies, and other significant changes that will be occurring in their industry that will require new skills. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 17 Figure 34: Awareness of any anticipated trends, technologies, significant changes that will be occurring in your industry that will require new skills No Yes 55% 45% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Note: 38 respondents 65% or 24 respondents indicated that there are areas of training or professional development that would benefit their employees or themselves. Most commonly listed among these areas were business management (17% or 4 businesses), followed by sales/marketing, managerial training, and customer service (all cited by 13% or 3 businesses). Figure 35: Training or professional development needs Business management 17% Sales/Marketing 13% Managerial training 13% Customer service 13% Technical training 8% Safety/First Aid/Food Safe 8% Emerging technologies 8% Emerging industry practices 8% Training to get the job done 4% Time management 4% Social media 4% Propane certification 4% Build capacity with government 4% Accounting/Bookeeping 4% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Note: 24 respondents When asked what new training might need to be considered in the next five years, the most commonly cited response, after ‘none’ (39% or 7 businesses) was in the area of emerging technologies (28% or 5 businesses). Other areas where training will be needed include product training and emerging industry practices (17% or 3 businesses). Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 18 Figure 36: Areas for new Training in next five years None Emerging technologies Product training Emerging industry practices Computer and technology training 39% 28% 17% 17% 11% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Note: 18 respondents 84% of respondents (32 businesses) stated that they prefer training when it is delivered in a classroom format, while 63% (24 businesses) preferred online or a webinar style format, 32% or 12 businesses expressed a preference for individual coaching. Figure 37: Preferred modes of training Other Classroom Online/ Webinar training Individual coaching 11% 84% 63% 32% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Note: 38 respondents 53% of respondents (20 businesses) typically seek training opportunities that are offered within the province, and 50% (19 businesses) seek training within the local area. Fewer training opportunities are sought elsewhere in the region, country or in the United States. Figure 38: Usual training locations British Columbia Local Rest of Canada Regional United States 53% 50% 26% 24% 11% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Note: 38 respondents Unions Eight businesses (21%) reported that they have union status. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 19 Employees The most frequently cited critical issues for employees are child care (34% or 12 businesses). Transportation, cost of living, and ‘other’ were each cited by 31% or 11 businesses. For a list of factors included in the “other” category charted below, see Appendix A. Figure 39: Critical considerations for employees Other Child care Transportation Cost of living Housing 31% 34% 31% 31% 23% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% Note: 35 respondents 86% of businesses (31 businesses) interviewed reported that over 75% of their employees live within the community, 5% (1 business) indicated that 75% of the employees live elsewhere in the region and 5% (1 business) indicated that they live outside of the region. SALES Market Size and Share The highest number of respondents (6 businesses or 29%) reported annual sales between $1 million and $4.99 million. 46% (18 businesses) of respondents did not share annual sales information. Figure 40: Annual sales over $50 million $50 million to 20 million $9.9 million to 5 million $4.9 million to 1 million $999,999 to $500,000 499,999 to $100,000 $99,999 to $50,000 Under $25,000 10% 14% 14% 29% 14% 10% 5% 5% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% Note: 21 respondents The majority of businesses interviewed (54% or 20 businesses) indicated that the size of the market for their product or service is stable. Another 43% (16 businesses), reported that the market is increasing. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 20 Figure 41: Status of market for product/service Increasing 43% Decreasing 3% Stable 54% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Note: 37 respondents 51% (19 businesses) of respondents indicated that their share of the market for their product in comparison with their competitors is stable, while 43% (16 businesses) indicated that it is increasing. A small number of respondents (5% or 2 businesses) indicated that their market share is decreasing. Figure 42: Market Share in Comparison to Competitors Increasing Decreasing Stable 43% 5% 51% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Note: 37 respondents Growth 42% of respondents (14 businesses) expect to see low growth in sales in the realm of 1 – 9%. Moderate growth in sales of 10-24% over the next year is projected by 12% of respondents (4 businesses). 6% of respondents (2 businesses) expect strong growth in the next year. 18% (6 businesses) of respondents expect their sales to remain stagnant, while a further 3% (1 business) expects sales to decline. Figure 43: Projected sales growth in the next year 50 - 99% 25 - 49% 10 - 24% 1 - 9% 0% Declining 6% 18% 12% 42% 18% 3% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Note: 33 respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 21 In looking back over the past five years, the majority of responses (57% or 21 businesses) indicated that sales at their business have increased over time, 30% (11 businesses) indicated that sales have remained relatively stable and 8% (3 businesses) reported that sales have declined. Figure 44: Historic sales trend at this location Not applicable 5% Increasing 57% Staying the same 30% Declining 8% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Note: 37 respondents Data indicates that the sales trend at parent companies is only slightly different from sales trends at this location. 30% or 9 businesses reported that sales at their parent company have historically increased and only 17% (5 businesses) reported that they have stayed the same. Figure 45: Historic sales trend at parent company Not applicable Increasing Staying the same 53% 30% 17% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Note: 30 respondents Data indicates that the sales trend within industry has generally followed the sales trend reported for the company’s. 50% percent of respodents (18 businesses) reported that sales within their industry have been increasing while 39% (14 businesses) reported that they have stayed the same. Figure 46: Historic sales trend within the industry Not applicable Increasing Staying the same Declining 8% 3% 0% 50% 39% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Note: 36 respondents Of the 16 businesses that reported exporting to international markets, 22% (8 businesses) indicated that their export sales have been increasing and 16% (6 business) indicated that they have been stable, while 5% (2 businesses) report a decline. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 22 Figure 47: Historical export sales trend Not applicable Increasing Staying the same Declining 57% 22% 16% 5% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Note: 37 respondents Source of Sales The customer base in this sector appears to be fairly reliant on a core customer base, with the largest percentage of respondents (68% or 13 businesses) indicating that 76% - 100% of their sales are generated by their top 3 customers. Figure 48: Sales generated by top 3 customers 76 - 100% 68% 51 - 75% 16% 26 - 50% 16% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Note: 19 respondents A majority of respondents (82% or 27 respondents) indicated that over 50% of their sales are to customers within the local area. 9% (3 businesses) indicated that over 50% of their sales are within the United States. Fewer respondents (6%,3%, 3%) indicated that the majority of their sales are to provincial, national, or international markets, respectively. Figure 49: Geographic source of majority of sales International 3% United States 9% National 3% Provincial 6% Local 82% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Note: varies - refer to Appendix A Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 23 13 respondents (34%) indicated that they import goods or services from other countries and 10 respondent (26%) indicated that they export goods or services to other countries. 55% of respondents (21 respondents) stated the question was not applicable. Figure 50: International trade status Not applicable None Import Export 55% 5% 34% 26% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Note: 38 respondents Procurement Figure 51: Engagement with government procurement processes Of the 24 responses provided, only 38% (15 respondents) indicated that they do engage in government procurement. Yes 38% No 63% Note: 24 respondents 47% of respondents (15 businesses) interviewed reported that they purchase a majority of their supplies from local sources. 31% (10 businesses) indicated that the majority of their supplies come from businesses located within the province. Figure 52: Geographic source of majority of supplies International United States National Provincial Local 6% 0% 3% 31% 47% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Note: varies - refer to Appendix A Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 24 Purchasing When reflecting on their reasons for purchasing products or services from out-of-area suppliers, the most common response (88% or 21 businesses) indicated that the products they need are not available locally. Figure 53: Reason for out-of-area purchasing Product not available here 88% Higher costs locally 17% Unaware of local venders 4% Loyalty to current supplier 4% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Note: 24 respondents Products that businesses stated they would like to source from a local supplier include powder coating, steel, computers/software. Figure 54: Supplying products/services within the community/region When asked whether the respondents own business supplied products/services within the community/region, a strong majority (89% or 17 businesses) reported that they did. No, 11% Yes, 89% Note: 24 respondents FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT Size and Condition 34% (12 businesses) of respondents reported that their facility is between 1,000 and 4,999 square feet in size, and another 20% (7 businesses) indicated it was less than 1,000 square feet. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 25 Figure 55: Size of facility 20,000 sq ft or more 17% 10,000-19,999 sq ft 11% 5,000-9,999 sq ft 17% 1,000-4,999 sq ft 34% less than 1,000 sq ft 20% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% Note: 35 respondents 62% of respondents (23 businesses) indicated that their facility is in good condition. Another 22% (8 businesses) indicated that it is in excellent condition and 8% (3 businesses) reported that their facility is in fair or poor condition respectively. Figure 56: Condition of facility Poor Fair Good Excellent 8% 8% 62% 22% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Note: 37 respondents 67% (24 businesses) of respondents indicated that their equipment is in good condition. 31% (11 businesses) indicated that it is in excellent condition and just 3% (1 business) report their equipment is in fair condition. Figure 57: Condition of equipment Fair 3% Good 67% Excellent 31% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Note: 36 respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 26 Ownership Figure 58: Ownership status of facility 54% of respondents (19 businesses) own the facility in which they operate and 46% (16 businesses) lease it. Leased, 46% Owned, 54% Note: 35 respondents Of the 16 businesses that lease their facility, 60% have less than a year remaining on their lease and 20% have between 1 and 2 years remaining. The majority of respondents that lease their facility (95% or 18 businesses) intend to renew their current lease agreement. Preference towards leasing or owning was split nearly equally, with 47% preferring lease arrangements, and 53% preferring owning. Figure 59: Length of time remaining on lease >5 Years 7% 3-5 Years 13% 1-2 Years 20% <1 Year 60% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Note: 15 respondents Investment and Expansion 43% of respondents (15 businesses) indicated that their company’s investment in their facility has increased over the past 18 months, while 54% or 19 businesses, indicated that the investment has stayed the same. Only one business (3%) indicated that investment in their facility has decreased over the same time period. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 27 Figure 60: Historical Investment in facility (past 18 months) Increasing Staying the same Declining 43% 54% 3% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Note: 35 respondents Figure 61: Plans to expand within three years 46% of respondents (17 businesses) plan to expand within three years, 54% (20 businesses) do not. Yes, 46% No, 54% Note: 37 respondents The majority of respondents indicated there was room for expansion at their site (65% or 24 businesses), while 22% (8 businesses) indicated that there was not room at their site. Figure 62: Room for expansion Maybe 14% No 22% Yes 65% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Note: 37 respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 28 Figure 63: Adequacy of current site to support expansion Of the 17 businesses planning expansion in the next three years, 82% (14 businesses) reported that their current site will be adequate. No, 18% Note: 17 respondents Yes, 82% The vast majority of respondents (94% or 16 businesses) indicated that expansion will occur within the community. Figure 64: Expansion to occur in community No 6% Yes 94% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Note: 17 respondents A substantial investment is planned for 1 business (9%), with a $20 million investment planned, while 2 businesses (18%) are planning investments in the range of $1 – $4.9 million. A total of 8 businesses (73%) are planning investments of less than one million dollars. Figure 65: Estimated expansion investment $20 million and over 9% $1-$4.9 million 18% $500,000-$999,999 27% $100,000-$499,999 18% $25,000-$99,999 9% Less than $25,000 18% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% Note: 11 respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 29 Of the 17 businesses planning expansion, 6 (66%) responded to state that they expect to spend over 50%of their expansion budget on equipment and technology, while 3 (33%) responded to indicate that 50% or less of their entire expansion budget will be devoted to equipment and technology. Figure 66: Component of expansion budget for equipment and technology 100% 50 to 99% Under 50% 0% 44% 22% 22% 11% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Note: 9 respondents Of the 17 businesses planning expansion, 5 respondents (50%) expect to spend between 100% of their expansion budget on real estate, while an additional 5 respondents (50%) expect to spend a portion of the budget on real estate. Figure 67: Component of expansion budget for real estate 100% 50% 50 to 99% 10% Under 50% 20% 0% 20% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Note: 10 respondents Of the 17 possible respondents, 10 responses were provided. 2 respondents (20%) indicated that they expect the size of their facility expansion will be between 10,000 and 19,999 square feet. 3 reported (30%) their expansion would be less than 1,000 square feet. Figure 68: Size of facility expansion 10,000-19,999 sq ft 20% 5,000-9,999 sq ft 20% 1,000 to 4,999 sq ft 30% Less than 1,000 sq ft 30% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% Note: 10 respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 30 Facility Upgrades Figure 69: Recent facility upgrades Yes 42% 42% of businesses (8 businesses) indicated that there had been recent facility upgrades. Of those 8 businesses, 71% (5 businesses) indicated that those upgrades were completed in the last 12 months. No 58% Note: 19 respondents Figure 70: Planning facility upgrades 44% (8 businesses) indicated that they are planning facility upgrades, and that the majority (63% or 5 businesses) of those planning upgrades will occur in the next 12 months. Respondents were also asked to identify any barrier to upgrading, however no responses were provided. Yes 44% No 56% Note: 18 respondents Respondents cited a variety of factors that act as barriers to their expansion. Most common of those were identifying and accessing new markets (12% or 3 businesses), and finances (12% or 3 businesses). Other responses are listed in Appendix A. Figure 71: Barriers to expansion Other (please specify): Identifying and accessing new markets Finance Transport/freight Lack of suitable premises Lack of skilled staff Broadband access 20% 12% 12% 4% 4% 4% 4% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% Note: 25 respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 31 9% of respondents (3 of 32 businesses) indicated that they have sought assistance with their expansion efforts from an external organization. Of those businesses, the highest number (100% or 3 businesses) had approached the local economic development office, 67% (2 businesses) had approached their local Council, and 33% (1 business) had approached BC Hydro, the BC Ministry responsible for Economic Development and ‘Other’ respectively. Figure 72: Organizations approached for expansion assistance Local Economic Development Office 100% Local Council 67% Other (please specify): 33% BC Ministry responsible for Economic… 33% BC Hydro 33% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120% Note: 3 respondents Energy Efficiency Figure 73: Considering energy efficiency in expansion plans Yes 22% 22% of those who responded (5 businesses) are considering energy efficiency in their expansion plans. No 78% Note: 23 respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 32 Figure 74: Awareness of BC Hydro Power Smart 57% of respondents (21 businesses) are familiar with the energy efficiency support available through the BC Hydro Power Smart program. No, 43% Yes, 57% Note: 37 respondents GOVERNMENT SERVICES Respondents were asked to rate a list of government services as poor, fair, good or excellent. Respondents also had the option to rate a service as not applicable to their business. • • • • • The services that received the highest number of POOR ratings were availability of buildings for lease or purchase (16% or 4 businesses), availability of appropriately zoned land (12% or 3 businesses), and telecommunications (10% or 3 businesses). The services that received the highest number of FAIR ratings were telecommunications (28% or 8 businesses), availability of road transport services (23% or 7 businesses), and access to suppliers (20% or 6 businesses). The services that received the highest number of GOOD ratings were development approval process (80% or 20 businesses), recycling (72% or 21 businesses), availability of appropriately zoned land (72% or 18 businesses), and availability of buildings for lease or purchase (72% or 18 businesses). The services that received the highest number of EXCELLENT ratings were access to US border (32% or 6 businesses), access to markets (29% or 9 businesses) and access to highways/roads (26% or 8 businesses). The services that the highest number of respondents felt are NOT APPLICABLE to their business were access to port facilities (89% or 16 businesses), availability of rail transport (78% or 18 businesses) and the availability of warehousing (42% or 10 businesses). Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 33 Figure 75: Rating of government services Availability of warehousing Availability of road transport services Availability of rail transport 13% 0% 0% 46% 42% 23% 23% 0% 3% 52% 13% 0% 9% 0% 4% Availability of buildings for lease or purchase 4% 3% 0% 20% Access to airport facilities 0% 0% % Excellent % Fair 16% 68% 6% 0% 0% 23% 13% 6% 0% % Not Applicable 55% 26% 58% 32% 42% Access to US Border 0% 0% Access to Port Facilities 0% 11% 0% 0% 0% % Good 60% % Poor 29% Access to highway/ roads 72% 8% 12% 4% 17% Access to markets 72% 4% 16% 4% Availability of appropriately zoned land Access to suppliers 78% 26% 89% 50% 100% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 34 Water and sewerage supply Telecommunications (internet, cell) 8% 4% 4% 65% 19% 7% 10% 0% 28% Recycling 10% 0% 0% 17% Inspections /licensing 7% 4% 4% 15% Disposal of waste material 4% 4% 8% Development approval process 4% 4% 4% 8% 55% % Excellent 72% % Good % Fair 70% % Poor % Not Applicable 62% 23% 80% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Note: # of respondents varies When asked whether there were any suggestions on how to improve any of the services and infrastructure, 46% respondents (16 businesses) indicated they had suggestions. The highest number of responses (38% or 6 businesses) discussed improvements to expand telecommunication services (internet/cell phone/broadband/fiber/etc…). Increasing airport service (25% or 4 businesses) and improving airport service (13% or 2 businesses) were also mentioned. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 35 Figure 76: Key words and responses in respondents' suggestions for improvements to government services “Better internet service is very important.” “Getting clients and workers from other offices in and out is difficult with challenging road access and air access.” “Better cell coverage would be good.” Airport Service The West Kootenay Regional Airport (Castlegar) is the most used airport, with 17% of respondents (3 businesses) indicating they use that airport. Figure 77: Airport service used West Kootenay Regional Airport (Castlegar) Trail Regional Airport 17% 6% 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16% 18% Note: 4 respondents Respondents indicated that they would most like to see improved flight reliability (32% or 6 businesses), with 11% of respondents (2 business) each indicating a desire for food service. Figure 78: New services at local airports Better flight reliability Food service Passenger service Improve airport scanning services Commuter flights 5% 5% 5% 0% 5% 11% 32% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% Note: 19 respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 36 BUSINESS CLIMATE Quality of Business Climate The majority of responses rated the overall business climate as good (65% or 24 businesses). Figure 79: Rating of local business climate Poor 3% Fair 19% Good 65% Excellent 14% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Note: 37 respondents Respondents rated the quality of a list of specific business climate factors as either poor, fair, good, excellent or not applicable to their business. • • • • • The factors that received the highest number of POOR ratings included technical training (61% or 22 businesses) and local tax structure (19% or 7 businesses). The factors that received the highest number of FAIR ratings included Chamber of Commerce (37% or 7 businesses) and the workforce availability (32% or 12 businesses). The factors that received the highest number of GOOD ratings included tourism services (89% or 17 businesses) and colleges/universities (68% or 25 businesses). The factors that received the highest number of EXCELLENT ratings included cultural/recreational amenities (49% or 18 businesses) and workforce quality (35% or 13 businesses). The factors that received the highest number of NO OPINION ratings include the Community Futures (74% or 14 businesses), and Chamber of Commerce (16% or 6 businesses), and K-12 education (16% or 6 businesses). Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 37 Figure 80: Rating of business climate factors 3% Local Tax Structure 19% 14% 35% 30% 5% Local Government 11% 8% 27% 49% 3% K-12 education 62% 16% 3% 16% 8% Housing 8% 5% 62% 16% % Excellent 0% Economic Development 5% 11% Cultural/Recreational Amenities 35% 8% 3% 5% 0% Community Futures 30% % Fair 68% 5% 11% 14% 0% 16% 16% 0% % No Opinion 74% 3% Chamber of Commerce % Poor 49% 26% 0% 0% Colleges/Universities % Good 54% 20% 32% 37% 40% 60% 80% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 38 Workforce Stability 24% 35% 24% 8% 8% Workforce Quality 3% 16% 11% Workforce Availability 5% 0% 0% 0% Tourism services 35% 35% % Good % Fair 24% 22% 32% 16% % Poor % No Opinion 89% 11% 0% Technical Training 14% 19% 61% 6% 0% % Excellent 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Note:# of respondents varies 61% of respondents (22 businesses) felt that the business climate is better today than it was 5 years ago. 14% (5 businesses) thought that it is worse, and 19% (7 businesses) believed there was no change in the business climate. Reasons given for the business climate being worse off include declining economy, more competition, and businesses closing. Figure 81: Business climate today vs. 5 years ago No opinion 6% Worse today 14% No change 19% Better today 61% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Note: 36 respondents 51% of respondents (19 businesses) expect that the business climate will be better 5 years from today. 8% (3 businesses) expect that it will be worse. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 39 Figure 82: Business climate 5 years from today Will be worse 8% No change 41% Will be better 51% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Note: 37 respondents Strengths and Weaknesses of Business Climate 41 responses were provided when 37 respondents were asked to list the community’s strengths as a place to do business; the highest number of responses (27% or 10 responses) cited the area’s lifestyle as the community’s strength. 14% (5 businesses) indicated the stable economy, and 14 % (5 businesses) indicated the large industrial base were factors in the community’s strength as a place to do business. Figure 83: Community’s strengths as a place to do business Lifestyle Stable economy Large industrial base Strong sense of community Skilled workforce Location Recreational opportunities Word of mouth Natural beauty Low crime rate Growth potential Great place to live Friendliness Environment Central location for region Affordable 27% 14% 14% 11% 8% 8% 5% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% Note: 37 respondents 29 responses were provided when respondents were asked to list the community’s weaknesses as a place to do business; the highest number of responses (17% or 6 respondents) was the geographic isolation. Shipping and Receiving costs along with the size, growth and aging population accounted for 11% of responses (4 businesses) respectively. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 40 Figure 84: Community's weaknesses as a place to do business Geographic isolation 17% Shipping and Receiving costs 11% Population (size/growth/aging) 11% Location 6% Limited market 6% Development Constraints… 6% Dependent on one major industry 6% Cyclical nature of markets 6% Tax structure 3% Suitable staff 3% Risk aversion 3% Lack of skilled workforce 3% Competition 3% 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16% 18% Note: 36 respondents Business Growth 76% of respondents (28 businesses) indicated that there are barriers to growth. The highest number of respondents (18% or 5 businesses) stated that the isolated location is an important barrier to growing the community’s economy. Other commonly cited barriers include low economic diversification (14% or 4 businesses), shipping costs and the developmental approval process (11% or 3 businesses) respectively. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 41 Figure 85: Barriers to growth in the community Isolated location 18% Low economic diversification 14% Shipping costs 11% Developmental approval process 11% Skilled labour 7% Resistance to change 7% Population (size / growth / age) 7% Negative attitude 7% Zoning 4% Internet access 4% Fear of major employer closing 4% Environmentalists 4% Cost of doing business 4% Access to capital 4% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Note: 28 respondents The following excerpts illustrate the barriers cited: “There are few secondary businesses serving the other businesses in the area. That is a big area they see for growth.” “The previous generation is now retiring and for 30 years didn't hire anyone or have succession plans and are now closing.” “Lack of available trained trades workers. Lack of professionals and local technical training opportunities - have to send people out of the region to get trained in the trades.” “There is a sense that things are always on the verge of collapse. Would like the area to have a sense that everyone is doing OK. Always hear that it's a great place to live but...... Get rid of the but.” Respondents were asked about the level of support they received from various business support providers. The Chamber of Commerce received the highest Poor response (42% or 8 businesses). The highest Excellent response was for the Innovation Councils (Kootenay Association for Science and Technology, Kootenay Rockies Innovation Council) (21% or 4 businesses). The Innovation Councils (53% or 10 businesses), Economic Development Organization/Commission (58% or 11 businesses), National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance (42% or 8 businesses), and the Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Incentive Program (44% or 8 businesses) all received high responses delivering a good level of service. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 42 Figure 86: Level of service from business support providers Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Incentive Program 6% 0% 0% 0% National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance 5% 0% 0% 0% Invest Kootenay 0% 0% 0% 0% 44% 50% 42% 53% 26% 74% Innovation Councils (Kootenay Association for Science and Technology, Kootenay Rockies… 21% 11% 0% 0% 16% Economic Development Organization / Commission 5% 5% 0% 5% Continuing Education and Workforce Training Community Futures College Industry Liaison Officer Chamber of Commerce Basin Business Advisors 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 5% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 53% % Excellent 58% % Good 26% % Fair 32% % Poor % Unable to assist 68% % Not Applicable 22% 78% 26% 74% 26% 42% 26% 21% 79% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 43 Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Incentive Program % Excellent 6% 44% 0% 0% 0% % Good % Fair 50% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% % Poor % Unable to assist Note: # of respondents varies 16% of respondents (6 businesses) indicated that there are suppliers that could locate in the region, while 84% (31 businesses) believed there were not. Of those potential suppliers, retail stores were most commonly cited by 40% (2 respondents). Figure 87: Potential Suppliers Retail stores 40% Software developers 20% Lab services 20% Building supplies 20% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% Note: 5 respondents Figure 88: Supply to local companies 89% of respondents (17 businesses) indicated that they do supply products or services to companies located in the community or region. No 11% Yes 89% Note: 19 respondents Manufacturing (46% or 11 respondents), Construction (21% or 5 respondents), and Recreational Services (8% or 2 respondents), were the most frequently cited businesses/sectors identified that would strategically benefit the respondents. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 44 Figure 89: Sectors, businesses or industries that would strategically benefit you or the industry Manufacturing 46% Construction 21% Recreational services 8% Tourism 4% Technology businesses 4% Restaurants 4% Mining and exploration 4% Information Technology 4% Analytical lab services 4% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% Note: 24 respondents Business Competitiveness and Productivity Businesses were asked to consider the importance of various factors for ensuring business competitiveness over the next five years. Those factors that received the highest number of somewhat important or very important ratings include workforce skill development (92% or 33 businesses), Strategic alliances (joining with other businesses to provide products/services)(89% or 32 businesses) and Improving business management (89% or 31 businesses). Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 45 Figure 90: Importance of business competitiveness factors Workplace health and safety Workforce skill development 86% 14% 0% 92% 8% 0% 19% 24% Water/sewer costs 57% 14% Water/sewer availability 59% 27% Strategic alliances (joining with other businesses to… 89% 6% 6% Reliable air transportation 49% 46% 5% New product research and development 3% New market development outside of region 3% 11% 11% Improving worker productivity 14% Improvement of customer services 3% Improvement business management 81% 16% New market development locally 0% 64% 33% 78% 14% 86% % Somewhat important, very important 84% % Not important at all or not very important 89% 9% 3% Expansion of workforce employees Exchange rate for Canadian dollar 46% 46% 8% 33% Energy costs 11% Availability of telecommunications… Affordable shipping/freight 3% 5% Accessing capital 84% 73% 22% 46% 49% 30% 19% 0% 62% 30% 5% Access to exporting and international markets 56% 14% 8% Add or change in business, products or services 61% 39% 0% % Not applicable 51% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Note: # of respondents varies Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 46 When asked to rate their business’ performance on a list of productivity drivers, the drivers that received the highest number of: • • • • EXCELLENT ratings include Networking and collaboration with other businesses (32% or 10 businesses), leadership and management capacity, and Organizing work (structures & processes) (28% or 9 businesses) respectively; GOOD ratings include Productive workplace culture (75% or 24 respondents) and Innovation & the use of technology (69% or 22 businesses); FAIR ratings include Investing in people and skills (10% or 3 businesses) and Measuring impact of productivity efforts/ investments (9% or 3 businesses); and POOR ratings include measuring impact of productivity efforts/investments and Networking and collaboration with other businesses (3% or 1 businesses). Figure 91: Performance on key productivity drivers Productive workplace culture Organizing work (structures & processes) Networking and collaboration with other businesses 22% 28% 6% 0% 6% 32% 0% 3% 6% Investing in people and skills Innovation & the use of technology 59% 58% % Excellent 25% Measuring impact of productivity efforts/ investments Leadership and management capacity 75% 3% 0% 0% 9% 3% 9% % Good 53% % Fair % Poor 28% 66% 6% 0% 0% 27% 10% % Not Applicable 60% 0% 3% 22% 69% 6% 0% 3% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% Note: # of respondents varies Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 47 Economic Drivers Respondents believe that the economic drivers with the highest growth potential over the next 5 to 10 years include tourism (52% or 15 businesses), technology based businesses (48% or 14 businesses), manufacturing and green or environmental businesses (38% or 11 businesses respectively). For a list of economic drivers identified as “Other”, refer to Appendix A. Figure 92: Economic drivers with greatest growth potential Other 31% Tourism 52% Technology-based businesses 48% Manufacturing 38% Green or environmental businesses 38% culture and creative businesses 21% Relocation of people from urban… 21% Arts 21% Forestry 17% Construction 17% Other niche service businesses (e.g.… 14% Health & wellness 10% Education 3% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Note: 29 respondents Proximity to Alberta None of the respondents (0%) surveyed reported that they were impacted by their proximity to Alberta. ASSESSMENT AND PLANS Overall Health The majority of businesses surveyed reported that their facility is in overall good health (62% or 23 businesses), 30% (11 businesses) reported that their company’s health is excellent and 8% (3 businesses) reported that it is fair. It is worth noting that no respondents indicated that their company is in poor health. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 48 Figure 93: Facility’s overall health Fair 8% Good 62% Excellent 30% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Note: 37 respondents Most businesses with a parent company indicated that the health of that parent company is either good (19% or 7 businesses) or excellent (14% or 5 businesses). Figure 94: Overall health of parent company Not applicable 65% Fair 3% Good 19% Excellent 14% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Note: 37 respondents Attitude toward Community 54% of respondents (20 businesses) indicated that their local management’s attitude toward the community is good and 35% (13 businesses) indicated that it is excellent. Figure 95: Local management's attitude toward community Not applicable Fair Good Excellent 5% 5% 54% 35% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Note: 37 respondents The highest number of respondents (22% or 8 businesses) indicated that their parent company’s attitude toward the local community is good. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 49 Figure 96: Parent company's attitude toward local community Not applicable 64% Poor 6% Good 22% Excellent 8% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Note: 36 respondents Risk of Closing or Downsizing All of the businesses surveyed indicated that the risk of businesses closing or downsizing within the next three years is low. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 50 RECOMMENDATIONS NEXT STEPS The results of this survey can be used by economic development organizations in the mining and metallurgical sector within the Kootenay/Boundary region to inform short- and long-term business retention and expansion action planning. Many BRE programs ensure that follow-up actions occur as soon as possible following completion of the survey stage. This approach builds credibility, a sense of success and momentum to carry out long-term actions. Successful BRE programs pick an initial set of short-term actions that: • can be completed in 6 months or less; • are highly visible to businesses and the community as a whole; and • have the potential for considerable impact with minimal input (i.e., the “low hanging fruit”). Patience and a commitment over the long-term are critical in determining the success of these initiatives. For this reason, BRE should be thought of, and implemented as, an on-going process as opposed to a one-time project. The LCDDTS Metallurgical Committee and KAST are urged to share this report with their jurisdiction’s local governments for their consideration. BRE results can form the backbone of an economic development strategy. Some communities form committees or action groups around the themes or action areas identified in the BRE report to ensure success in implementation. The following steps could further and support links to planning and action: 1. Continually communicate (through press, presentations, electronic media, etc.) with the business community regarding actions and be clear that the actions are tied to the BRE process. 2. Use the existing Metallurgical network and the newly formed MIDAS to continue building on the momentum of the BRE report and ensure actions and next steps are taken and kept on track. Include follow-up discussions with individual businesses (particularly to address red and green-flags). Consider using the “Business Walk” survey as a tool to connect with businesses annually. 3. Host a business stakeholder forum to present findings, discuss common issues and potential solutions. 4. Host a facilitated action planning session with economic development stakeholders and industry representatives. 5. Based on results from the forums and action planning session, finalize priority actions, develop related action plans, update existing economic development plans and develop relationships with a broader network of support providers (at regional, provincial and national scales) to support implementation. 6. Establish a monitoring program to assess the impact of implementation efforts. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 51 POTENTIAL ACTION AREAS Local Workforce The mining and metallurgical sector in the Kootenay/Boundary region employs a total of 2,716 employees. The vast majority (86%) of employees are full-time and live within the community in which they work. 62% of all employees are considered skilled/professional, with just 3% considered entry-level positions. Combined with the skills gaps indicated in the recruitment data, we see an indication that the industry could benefit from coordinated recruitment activities outside of the region. Interestingly, child care was the issue of most critical importance to their employees, with transportation and the cost of living following closely at 31%. Actions related to this theme include working with the various levels of government to address the concerns of local employees, as well as promoting the value the industry contributes to local communities and aggressive recruitment/marketing outside of the region. Innovation The ability for companies to remain relevant and competitive through awareness of new technologies and business practices is critical. This is especially so for the continued development of a healthy mining sector in the Kootenay/Boundary region. Yet 55% were not aware of any anticipated trends, technologies or significant changes that will occur in the industry that would require new skills, additionally, 39% did not believe there were any areas for new training in the next five years, while others indicated emerging technologies (28%), product training (17%) and emerging industry practices (17%) were areas where new training should be considered. As a sector influenced by global economic conditions, remaining current with global trends and innovations is critical as is ensuring employees have the necessary skills for companies to remain competitive and relevant. Actions include convening industry networks to discuss and share information on emerging technologies and industry practices. The new MIDAS centre would be ideal for this function. Further, promotion of the full package of MIDAS centre services and supports should be performed to lower barriers to innovation for the region’s industry. Training & Skill Development The majority of businesses (67%) indicated that they do maintain a training budget to upgrade employee skills, and yet 61% of businesses indicated that the climate for technical training was poor. Findings indicate that they have a preference for classroom sessions (84%), online webinars (63%), or individual coaching (32%) style formats. 92% of businesses indicated that workforce skill development was of highest importance for ensuring future business competitiveness. Future initiatives could include supporting and/or developing a network to help businesses identify shared training needs, promote and/or develop training opportunities, and work with educational institutions to ensure local skill requirements are considered in programming. Youth Employment Findings indicate that employees under the age of 26 are in the minority. Increasing youth involvement in the local workforce could be encouraged. Actions on this theme could involve gaining a better understanding of the reasons for the low youth employment rate, connecting local businesses with youth employment programs (federally, provincially and/or through CBT), Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 52 and connecting local businesses with local schools and post-secondary institutions. This may assist in addressing the recruitment challenges that 43% of businesses report having. Business Growth & Expansion 53% of businesses in the region report being in a growth cycle, and 46% indicate that they are planning to expand within the next three years. The majority of those businesses planning to expand do feel their existing site is adequate (82%), and the majority of expansion plans are expected to occur within the community (94%). Of the barriers to expansion mentioned, identifying and accessing new markets (12%), as well as financing (12%) were most commonly referenced. Barriers to growth more generally included the isolated location (18%) and the low economic diversification (14%). Businesses also report that employment rates are generally stable or increasing, and that 62% of businesses anticipate an increase to the amount of full-time employment over the next three years. This data coupled with the general positive business climate (65% rate the local business climate as ‘good’) and the optimism for the future provides a positive report on local business growth. Actions in this area could include supporting existing businesses as they plan for local expansion/growth. Assistance could come in the form of assistance with navigating local regulations, and connecting businesses with resources to assist in expansion projects. It is worth noting that very few businesses (9%) sought assistance with expansion efforts from an external organisation. This is an area where improvements could be made to have local resources approach businesses proactively to understand barriers and work collaboratively towards solutions. Economic Diversification Low levels of economic diversification was identified as a barrier to growth by some respondents, as well as the challenges of a geographically remote location, this is this is supported by the fact that the largest percentage of respondents indicated that between 76 – 100% of their sales are generated by their top three customers. . The industry is highly dependent on Teck, in the local mining sector. Businesses identified manufacturing, construction, and recreational services as the most important sectors to attract, but also indicated that the economic drivers with the highest future growth potential are tourism, technology based businesses, manufacturing, and green or environmental businesses. Actions to increase the diversification could include working with local businesses to identify new markets locally and elsewhere, and assessing new technologies, particularly green/environmental technologies as it relates to the mining industry. Continued collaboration between various levels of government and local businesses towards a diversified economy will be key to achieving results in this area. With the majority of businesses indicating an overall good business climate, there is much positive support to build on the work already occurring in this area. Supply Sourcing The data indicates that the majority of supplies come from outside the local region, but that there exists a strong practice of sourcing local supplies, with 47% of businesses indicating they are able to source their supplies locally. The most common response (88%) for the reason why supplies are sourced outside of the local area is that they are not available locally. There is an opportunity to engage in discussion with businesses in the sector to understand what opportunities may exist to Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 53 increase local supply, and actively engage existing businesses or encourage new businesses to fill that role if feasible. Supply chain analysis and gap analysis may provide information to the business network that may facilitate existing businesses, or new entrants, to move into the supply chain gaps. . A potential spin off effect could be the diversification of the local economy. Succession and Business Planning Business and succession planning are critical to the health and longevity of businesses, yet only 22% of respondents indicated that they have a formal succession plan and less than half have an up-to-date business plan. Findings suggest that there are opportunities to support the business community by providing succession and business planning assistance. Open, instructive training sessions have the potential to provide a base level of support to a large number of businesses; however, given the importance of individual circumstances in business and succession planning, one-on-one assistance program could result in greater overall benefit by providing a higher level of support to businesses. Any future planning initiatives should be aggressively advertised to ensure uptake among businesses, and may include direct outreach to those businesses identified as part of the BRE survey. Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 54 APPENDIX A: DATA TABLES COMPANY INFORMATION Percent of Question Respondents Figure 1: Industry Classification NAICS Construction Manufacturing Retail and Wholesale Trade Transportation and Warehousing Information and Cultural Industries 23 31-33 41-45 48-49 51 8 12 2 2 1 20.00% 30.00% 5.00% 5.00% 2.50% Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 53 1 2.50% 54 9 22.50% 56 4 10.00% 61 1 2.50% 100.00% Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Administrative Support, Waste Management and Remediation Educational Services Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 40 40 0 100% Figure 2: Functions located at this facility Warehousing Distribution Manufacturing Engineering/RD Headquarters Services Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Count Count 6 9 14 22 25 32 108 Percent of Question Respondents 16.22% 24.32% 37.84% 59.46% 67.57% 86.49% 40 37 3 92% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 55 Figure 3: Who are your competitors?: Where are your competitors located? In Canada Outside Canada In Region In Province None Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Count 2 3 6 8 1 20 11.11% 16.67% 33.33% 44.44% 5.56% 40 18 22 45% Figure 4: What are the factors that make your company successful here? Count Adaptability Competitive pricing Customer loyalty Demand for products and services Networking Niche product Established business Hard work Technical expertise Customer service Lack of competition Workforce Experience Knowledgeable staff Quality product / service Reputation Location Total 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 5 6 8 48 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Percent of Question Respondents Percent of Question Respondents 2.56% 2.56% 2.56% 2.56% 2.56% 2.56% 5.13% 5.13% 5.13% 7.69% 7.69% 7.69% 10.26% 10.26% 12.82% 15.38% 20.51% 40 39 1 98% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 56 Figure 5: Why did you choose this community to locate your business? Born and raised here Lifestyle Already living here Business opportunity Location Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 6: Does this company have another location elsewhere? Yes No Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 7: Does this company have another location elsewhere?: If Yes, where? Count 1 3 5 5 10 24 Percent of Question Respondents 5.00% 15.00% 25.00% 25.00% 50.00% 40 20 20 50% Count 15 22 37 Percent of Question Respondents 40.54% 59.46% 40 37 3 92% Count Outside Canada Elsewhere in nation In Province Total 2 3 7 12 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: 40 8 7 15 37 53% Percent of Question Respondents 25.00% 37.50% 87.50% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 57 Figure 8: Location of company's headquarters Outside Canada Elsewhere in nation In Province Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 8b: Location of company's headquarters: Province AB ON QC BC Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 8c: Location of company's headquarters: Province United Kingdom United States Canada Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Count 2 6 30 38 Percent of Question Respondents 5.26% 15.79% 78.95% 40 38 2 95% Count 1 2 3 14 20 Percent of Question Respondents 5.00% 10.00% 15.00% 70.00% 40 20 20 50% Count 1 1 20 22 Percent of Question Respondents 4.55% 4.55% 90.91% 40 22 18 Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 58 Response Rate: Figure 8d: Corporate headquarters location, if different than local location AB Edmonton Kelowna BC Nanaimo BC Vancouver BC Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 9: Life cycle stage of firm's primary product/service 55% Count 1 1 1 1 4 8 Count 1 2 21 15 39 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 39 1 98% <1 Year 1-4 Years 5-9 Years 10-19 Years >20 Years Total 14.29% 14.29% 14.29% 14.29% 57.14% 40 7 33 18% Declining Emerging Growing Maturing Total Figure 10: How long has this facility operated Percent of Question Respondents Count 2 4 5 12 15 38 Percent of Question Respondents 2.56% 5.13% 53.85% 38.46% Percent of Question Respondents 5.26% 10.53% 13.16% 31.58% 39.47% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 59 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 11: What is this company's ownership status? Publicly owned Privately owned Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 38 2 95% Count 5 34 39 Count Partnership Limited liability partnership (LLP) Sole proprietorship Corporation Total 1 2 6 30 39 Figure 12: Has the local facility changed owners or managers in the past 5 years? Yes No Total 12.82% 87.18% 40 39 1 98% Figure 11b: What is this company's legal status? Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Percent of Question Respondents Percent of Question Respondents 2.56% 5.13% 15.38% 76.92% 40 39 1 98% Count 17 22 39 Percent of Question Respondents 43.59% 56.41% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 60 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 12b: If Yes, describe the local impact of the change 40 39 1 98% Count Neutral Positive Total 1 15 16 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: 40 16 1 17 39 94% Figure 13: If Yes what is the anticipated time frame 2 years 3 years or more Total Count 1 3 4 Percent of Question Respondents 6.25% 93.75% Percent of Question Respondents 25.00% 75.00% Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: 40 4 0 4 36 100% Figure 13b: Is an ownership change pending for this facility? Count Percent of Question Respondents 4 32 11.11% 88.89% Yes No Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 61 Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 14: If Yes, how do you intend to exit the business? Sell to another company Sell/transfer to a non-family member Other Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: Figure 14b: If Yes, how do you intend to exit the business?: If other, please explain Don't know Employee share purchase plan Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Other' Respondents: Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: 36 40 36 4 90% Count Percent of Question Respondents 1 25.00% 1 25.00% 2 4 50.00% 40 4 0 4 36 100% Count 1 1 2 Percent of Question Respondents 25.00% 25.00% 40 2 0 2 4 100% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 62 Figure 15: Is there a formal succession plan? Yes No Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 15b: Have you identified a successor to your business? Yes No Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 15c: If Yes, have you been assisted in preparation of a succession plan? Count 9 29 38 Percent of Question Respondents 23.68% 76.32% 40 38 2 95% Count 7 30 37 Percent of Question Respondents 18.92% 81.08% 40 37 3 92% Count Yes No Total 3 2 5 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: 40 5 4 9 38 56% Percent of Question Respondents 60.00% 40.00% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 63 Count Figure 15d: If Yes, by whom Business partner Accountant Total 1 2 3 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: 40 3 0 3 5 100% Figure 16: Does this firm have a current written business plan? Count Yes No Total 15 21 36 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Percent of Question Respondents 33.33% 66.67% Percent of Question Respondents 41.67% 58.33% 40 36 4 90% LOCAL WORKFORCE Figure 17b: Total number of employees at this facility*: Total employees Less than 5 5-9 10-19 20-49 50-99 Over 100 Total Count 9 9 5 10 1 6 40 Percent of Question Respondents 22.50% 22.50% 12.50% 25.00% 2.50% 15.00% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 64 Total employees: 2921 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 40 0 100% Figure 17b: Total number of employees at this facility*: Full-time employees Count Less than 5 5-9 10-19 20-49 50-99 Over 100 Total 13 9 3 9 3 3 40 Total full-time employees: 2390 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 40 0 100% Figure 17c: Total number of employees at this facility*: Part-time employees Less than 5 5-9 10-19 50-99 Total Total part-time employees: Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Count 34 2 3 1 40 Percent of Question Respondents 32.50% 22.50% 7.50% 22.50% 7.50% 7.50% Percent of Question Respondents 85.00% 5.00% 7.50% 2.50% 127 40 40 0 100% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 65 Figure 17d: Total number of employees at this facility*: Temporary employees Less than 5 5-9 10-19 20-49 Over 100 Total Count 31 2 1 1 2 37 Total temporary employees: 404 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 37 3 92% Figure 18: Nature of Employment Count Full Time Part Time Temporary Total 2390 127 404 2921 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: Response Rate: 40 40 100.00% Figure 19: Historical employment trend Count Declining Staying the same Increasing Total 5 13 20 38 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: 40 38 Percent of Question Respondents 83.78% 5.41% 2.70% 2.70% 5.41% Percent of Question Respondents 81.82% 4.35% 13.83% Percent of Question Respondents 13.16% 34.21% 52.63% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 66 No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 20: How did the number of staff change, if at all, in the last 3 years?: Fulltime 2 95% Count Increased Stayed the same Decreased Total 22 13 3 38 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 38 2 95% Figure 20b: How did the number of staff change, if at all, in the last 3 years?: Part-time Count Increased Stayed the same Decreased Total 7 20 3 30 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 30 10 75% Figure 20c: How did the number of staff change, if at all, in the last 3 years?: Casual Count Increased Stayed the same Decreased Total 6 19 2 27 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: 40 27 Percent of Question Respondents 57.89% 34.21% 7.89% Percent of Question Respondents 23.33% 66.67% 10.00% Percent of Question Respondents 22.22% 70.37% 7.41% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 67 No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 21: Projected number of employees at this facility in three years Less than 5 5-9 10-19 20-49 50-99 Over 100 Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 21b: Projected number of employees at this facility in one year* Less than 5 5-9 10-19 20-49 50-99 Over 100 Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 21c: How do you expect the number of staff to change, if at all over the next 3 years?: Fulltime 13 68% Count 6 7 7 11 3 5 39 Percent of Question Respondents 15.38% 17.95% 17.95% 28.21% 7.69% 12.82% 40 39 1 98% Count 8 7 7 10 1 6 39 Percent of Question Respondents 20.51% 17.95% 17.95% 25.64% 2.56% 15.38% 40 39 1 98% Count Percent of Question Respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 68 Increased Stayed the same Decreased Total 24 11 3 38 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 38 2 95% Figure 21d: How do you expect the number of staff to change, if at all over the next 3 years?: Part-time Count Increased Stayed the same Decreased Total 6 22 2 30 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 30 10 75% Figure 21e: How do you expect the number of staff to change, if at all over the next 3 years?: Casual Count Increased Stayed the same Total 7 19 26 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 26 14 65% Figure 22: Describe the majority of essential personnel at this location Count 63.16% 28.95% 7.89% Percent of Question Respondents 20.00% 73.33% 6.67% Percent of Question Respondents 26.92% 73.08% Percent of Question Respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 69 26 - 34 35 - 49 50 or older Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 23: Describe the wage scale here compared to all other firms locally Lower than Same as Greater than Total 6 26 6 38 40 38 2 95% Count 3 18 16 37 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 37 3 92% Figure 23b: Average hourly wage: Skilled/Professional Count $20-$29.99 $30-49.99 $50-$99 $100 or more Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 23c: Average hourly wage: Semi-skilled Under $10 $15-$19.99 15.79% 68.42% 15.79% 7 17 6 3 33 Percent of Question Respondents 8.11% 48.65% 43.24% Percent of Question Respondents 21.21% 51.52% 18.18% 9.09% 40 33 7 82% Count 2 1 Percent of Question Respondents 8.00% 4.00% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 70 $20-$29.99 $30-49.99 $100 or more Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 23d: Average hourly wage: Entry-level Under $10 $10-$12.99 $13-$14.99 $15-$19.99 $20-$29.99 $30-49.99 $50-$99 Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 24: Is the number of unfilled positions Stable Increasing Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 25: Where does the company attract the majority of its workers from? 15 6 1 25 60.00% 24.00% 4.00% 40 25 15 62% Count 4 1 1 7 7 3 1 24 Percent of Question Respondents 16.67% 4.17% 4.17% 29.17% 29.17% 12.50% 4.17% 40 24 16 60% Count 29 9 38 Percent of Question Respondents 76.32% 23.68% 40 38 2 95% Count Percent of Question Respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 71 Nationally Provincially Locally Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 26: Recruitment and retention challenges Retention challenges Recruitment challenges Figure 26b: Is employee retention a problem? Yes No Total 3 7 28 38 40 38 2 95% Count 14 16 Count 14 25 39 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 39 1 98% Figure 26c: Is the company experiencing recruitment problems with any employee positions or skills? Count Yes No Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 27: If applicable, please describe any challenges and / or efforts 7.89% 18.42% 73.68% 17 21 38 Percent 36% 43% Percent of Question Respondents 35.90% 64.10% Percent of Question Respondents 44.74% 55.26% 40 38 2 95% Count Percent of Question Respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 72 you have undertaken to retain employees. Bonuses Support personal growth and skill development Training Benefits Support a positive environment Avoid layoffs (find extra work) Competitive wages None Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 28: If applicable, please describe any recruitment activities or strategies you have undertaken to attract employees. Canada Job Bank Employment agencies Internal job postings Offer benefits/bonuses Recruiting Firms Selling on lifestyle Social media (Facebook/ LinkedIn) Trade Journals WorkBC College recruitment Online job boards Networking Union hall Advertising Word of mouth 1 3.33% 1 3.33% 1 3 3.33% 10.00% 5 16.67% 10 33.33% 11 5 37 36.67% 16.67% 39 30 9 77% Count Percent of Question Respondents 1 1 1 1 1 1 3.12% 3.12% 3.12% 3.12% 3.12% 3.12% 1 3.12% 1 1 2 2 3 3 5 9 3.12% 3.12% 6.25% 6.25% 9.38% 9.38% 15.62% 28.12% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 73 None Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 29: Is the company experiencing recruitment problems with any employee positions or skills?: If Yes, in which category(s)? Advanced Manufacturing Workers Construction/Contractors Machinists Mechanics Administrative/Clerical Electrical/Electronics General Laborer Machine Operators Material/Fabricators Plant Managers / Operators Professional/Other Professional/Technical None Other Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: 5 38 15.62% 39 32 7 82% Count Percent of Question Respondents 1 5.88% 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 5.88% 5.88% 5.88% 11.76% 11.76% 11.76% 17.65% 17.65% 3 17.65% 3 4 1 12 39 17.65% 23.53% 5.88% 70.59% 40 17 0 17 38 100% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 74 Figure 29b: Is the company experiencing recruitment problems with any employee positions or skills?: Other (specify job roles/titles) Computer technologists Computer-aided design (CAD) technologists Chemists Engineers Skilled trades Managers Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Other' Respondents: Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: Figure 30: Do you anticipate future recruiting difficulties i.e. 3-5 year? Yes No Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 30b: Do you anticipate future recruiting difficulties i.e. 3-5 year?: If Yes, in what area(s)? Count Percent of Question Respondents 1 5.88% 1 5.88% 2 3 3 4 14 11.76% 17.65% 17.65% 23.53% 40 11 1 12 17 92% Count 19 19 38 Percent of Question Respondents 50.00% 50.00% 40 38 2 95% Count Percent of Question Respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 75 Administrative/Clerical Advanced Manufacturing Workers Construction/Contractors Machinists Professional/Other Electrical/Electronics General Laborer Machine Operators Mechanics Plant Managers/Operators Material/Fabricators Professional/Technical Other Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: 1 5.26% 1 5.26% 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 10.53% 10.53% 10.53% 15.79% 15.79% 15.79% 15.79% 3 15.79% 4 4 11 42 21.05% 21.05% 57.89% 40 19 0 19 38 100% Figure 30c: Do you anticipate future recruiting difficulties i.e. 3-5 year? : Other (specify job roles/titles) Count Apprentices Chemists Computer professionals Managers Skilled trades Engineers Total 1 1 3 3 3 4 15 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: 40 11 0 Percent of Question Respondents 5.26% 5.26% 15.79% 15.79% 15.79% 21.05% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 76 Parent Question 'Other' Respondents: Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: Figure 31: Is there anything we can do to help overcome issues with employee recruitment? Yes No Total 11 19 100% Count 4 15 19 Percent of Question Respondents 21.05% 78.95% Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 19 21 48% Figure 31b: Is there anything we can do to help overcome issues with employee recruitment?: If Yes, please explain Count Provide training and education 1 25.00% 1 25.00% 2 4 50.00% Seminar on how to best post available jobs Establish a job bank Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: Percent of Question Respondents 40 4 0 4 19 100% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 77 Figure 32: Skill Level of Majority of Workforce Count Skilled/Professional Semi-skilled Entry-level Total 23 4 1 28 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: Response Rate: 40 38 95.00% Figure 32b: Percent of workforce: Skilled/Professional Count less than 25% 25 to 49% 50 to 74% 75 to 100% Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 32c: Percent of workforce: Semi-skilled less than 25% 25 to 49% 50 to 74% 75 to 100% Total 3 9 8 18 38 Percent of Question Respondents 60.53% 10.53% 2.63% Percent of Question Respondents 7.89% 23.68% 21.05% 47.37% 40 38 2 95% Count 11 15 4 2 32 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 32 8 80% Figure 32d: Percent of workforce: Entry-level Count Percent of Question Respondents 34.38% 46.88% 12.50% 6.25% Percent of Question Respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 78 less than 25% 25 to 49% 50 to 74% Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 33: Does the company provide a training budget in order to upgrade employee's skills? Yes No Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 33b: Does the company offer in-house training? Yes No Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 33c: Does the company use Contracted Training? Yes No 22 4 2 28 78.57% 14.29% 7.14% 40 28 12 70% Count 25 12 37 Percent of Question Respondents 67.57% 32.43% 40 37 3 92% Count 12 8 20 Percent of Question Respondents 60.00% 40.00% 40 20 20 50% Count 2 18 Percent of Question Respondents 10.00% 90.00% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 79 Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 34: Are you aware of any anticipated trends, technologies, significant changes that will be occurring in your industry that will require new skills? Yes No Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 35: Are there any areas of training or professional development that would be of benefit to you or your employees? Yes No Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 35b: Are there any areas of training or professional development that would be of benefit to you or your employees?: If Yes, what 20 40 20 20 50% Count 17 22 39 Percent of Question Respondents 43.59% 56.41% 40 39 1 98% Count 24 14 38 Percent of Question Respondents 63.16% 36.84% 40 38 2 95% Count Percent of Question Respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 80 are they? Accounting/Bookkeeping Build capacity with government Propane certification Social media Time management Training to get the job done Emerging industry practices Emerging technologies Safety/First Aid/Food Safe Technical training Customer service Managerial training Sales/Marketing Business management Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: 1 4.17% 1 4.17% 1 1 1 4.17% 4.17% 4.17% 1 4.17% 2 8.33% 2 8.33% 2 8.33% 2 3 3 3 4 27 8.33% 12.50% 12.50% 12.50% 16.67% 40 24 0 24 38 100% Figure 36: What new training might you need to consider in the next five years? Count Computer and technology training 2 10.53% 3 15.79% 3 5 15.79% 26.32% Emerging industry practices Product training Emerging technologies Percent of Question Respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 81 None Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 8 21 40 19 21 48% Figure 37: What modes of education/training work best for you? Count Individual coaching Online/ Webinar training Classroom Other Total 12 25 33 4 74 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 37b: What modes of education/training work best for you?: Other Name Mentor In-house / Hands on / Workshop Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Other' Respondents: Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: Figure 38: When your staff attends training/certification, 42.11% Percent of Question Respondents 30.77% 64.10% 84.62% 10.26% 40 39 1 98% Count Percent of Question Respondents 1 2.56% 3 7.69% 4 40 4 0 4 39 100% Count Percent of Question Respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 82 where do they usually access the training? United States Regional Rest of Canada Local British Columbia Total 5 9 10 19 21 64 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 39 1 98% Union status Yes No Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 39: Please indicate which issues you believe are critical to your employees? Housing Transportation Child care Cost of living Other Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Count 9 30 39 12.82% 23.08% 25.64% 48.72% 53.85% Percent of Question Respondents 23.08% 76.92% 40 39 1 98% Count 9 11 12 12 11 55 Percent of Question Respondents 25.00% 30.56% 33.33% 33.33% 30.56% 39 36 3 92% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 83 Figure 39b: Please indicate which issues you believe are critical to your employees?: If Other, please list any other issues Affordable housing Benefits Getting enough work hours Job security Public transit Recreation amenities Wages Work environment Lifestyle Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Other' Respondents: Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: In general terms, what percent of your workforce lives in the: Community (%) 0-24% 50-74% 75-100% Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Count Percent of Question Respondents 1 1 2.78% 2.78% 1 2.78% 1 1 1 1 1 4 12 2.78% 2.78% 2.78% 2.78% 2.78% 11.11% 39 11 0 11 36 100% Count 2 4 31 37 Percent of Question Respondents 5.41% 10.81% 83.78% 39 37 2 95% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 84 In general terms, what percent of your workforce lives in the: Region (%) includes entire Columbia Basin-Boundary region 0-24% 25-49% 75-100% Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: In general terms, what percent of your workforce lives in the: Outside of region (%) 0-24% 25-49% 75-100% Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Percent of Question Respondents Count 19 3 1 23 82.61% 13.04% 4.35% 39 23 16 59% Percent of Question Respondents Count 16 3 2 21 76.19% 14.29% 9.52% 39 21 18 54% SALES Figure 40: Annual sales at this facility (optional) Count Percent of Question Respondent s Under $25,000 $99,999 to $50,000 499,999 to $100,000 $999,999 to $500,000 $4.9 million to 1 million $9.9 million to 5 million $50 million to 20 million 1 1 2 3 6 3 3 4.76% 4.76% 9.52% 14.29% 28.57% 14.29% 14.29% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 85 over $50 million Total 2 21 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 21 19 52% Figure 41: Is the market for your product/service Stable Decreasing Increasing Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 42: Is the market share (compared to your competitors) of your company's products Stable Decreasing Increasing Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 9.52% Percent of Question Respondents Count 20 1 17 38 52.63% 2.63% 44.74% 40 38 2 95% Count 19 2 17 38 Percent of Question Responde nts 50.00% 5.26% 44.74% 40 38 2 95% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 86 Figure 43: What is the projected sales growth in the next year at this business? Count Declining 0% 1 - 9% 10 - 24% 25 - 49% 50 - 99% Total 1 6 15 4 6 2 34 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 34 6 85% Figure 44: Historical sales trend: At this business (past five years) Count Declining Staying the same Increasing Not applicable Total 3 11 22 2 38 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 38 2 95% Percent of Question Respondents 2.94% 17.65% 44.12% 11.76% 17.65% 5.88% Percent of Question Respondents 7.89% 28.95% 57.89% 5.26% Figure 45: Historical sales trend: At the parent company Count Percent of Question Respondents Staying the same Increasing 5 9 16.67% 30.00% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 87 Not applicable Total 16 30 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 30 10 75% Figure 46: Historical sales trend: Within the industry Count Declining Staying the same Increasing Not applicable Total 1 14 19 3 37 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 37 3 92% Figure 47: Historical export sales trend Count Declining Staying the same Increasing Not applicable Total 2 6 9 21 38 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 38 2 95% 53.33% Percent of Question Respondents 2.70% 37.84% 51.35% 8.11% Percent of Question Respondents 5.26% 15.79% 23.68% 55.26% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 88 Figure 48: Percent of total sales generated by top 3 customers Count 26 - 50% 51 - 75% 76 - 100% Total 3 4 13 20 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 39 20 19 51% Figure 49: Source of Majority of Sales Count 27 2 1 3 1 34 Figure 49b: Please identify the source of your sales by percentage: International Count Survey Participants: 15.00% 20.00% 65.00% Percent of Question Respondents Local Provincial National United States International Total 0% 1-9% 10-19% 20-29% 50-59% 70-79% Total Percent of Question Respondents 13 2 1 1 1 1 19 79.41% 5.88% 2.94% 8.82% 2.94% Percent of Question Respondents 68.42% 10.53% 5.26% 5.26% 5.26% 5.26% 40 Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 89 Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 19 21 48% Figure 49c: Please identify the source of your sales by percentage: United States Count 0% 10-19% 20-29% 40-49% 50-59% 70-79% 80-89% 90-99% Total 14 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 22 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 22 18 55% Figure 49d: Please identify the source of your sales by percentage: National Count 0% 1-9% 10-19% 30-39% 50-59% 80-89% Total 13 1 5 2 2 1 24 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 24 16 60% Percent of Question Respondents 63.64% 9.09% 4.55% 4.55% 4.55% 4.55% 4.55% 4.55% Percent of Question Respondents 54.17% 4.17% 20.83% 8.33% 8.33% 4.17% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 90 Figure 49e: Please identify the source of your sales by percentage: Provincial Count 0% 1-9% 10-19% 20-29% 50-59% 60-69% 90-99% Total 9 2 1 6 3 1 1 23 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 23 17 57% Figure 49f: Please identify the source of your sales by percentage: Local / Regional Count 0% 10-19% 30-39% 70-79% 80-89% 90-99% 100% Total 3 2 2 1 7 3 16 34 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 34 6 85% Figure 50: International trade status Count Percent of Question Respondents 39.13% 8.70% 4.35% 26.09% 13.04% 4.35% 4.35% Percent of Question Respondents 8.82% 5.88% 5.88% 2.94% 20.59% 8.82% 47.06% Percent of Question Respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 91 Export Import None Not applicable Total 10 13 2 22 47 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 39 1 98% Figure 51: Do you engage in government procurement? Count Yes No Total 9 16 25 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 39 25 14 64% Figure 52: Source of Majority of Supplies Local Provincial National United States International Total Count 15 10 2 0 2 29 25.64% 33.33% 5.13% 56.41% Percent of Question Respondents 36.00% 64.00% Percent of Question Respondents 45.45% 30.30% 6.06% 0.00% 6.06% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 92 Figure 52b: Please identify the source of your supplies by percentage: Local / Regional Count 0% 1-9% 10-19% 20-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 80-89% 90-99% 100% Total 4 4 4 1 1 1 3 1 2 1 11 33 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 33 7 82% Figure 52c: Please identify the source of your supplies by percentage: Provincial Count 0% 20-29% 30-39% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89% 90-99% 100% Total 9 4 1 2 1 2 2 4 1 26 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: 40 26 Percent of Question Respondents 12.12% 12.12% 12.12% 3.03% 3.03% 3.03% 9.09% 3.03% 6.06% 3.03% 33.33% Percent of Question Respondents 34.62% 15.38% 3.85% 7.69% 3.85% 7.69% 7.69% 15.38% 3.85% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 93 No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 52d: Please identify the source of your supplies by percentage: National 14 65% Count 0% 1-9% 10-19% 20-29% 30-39% 50-59% 60-69% 100% Total 9 1 2 5 1 2 1 1 22 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 22 18 55% Figure 52e: Please identify the source of your supplies by percentage: United States Count 0% 1-9% 10-19% 20-29% 30-39% 50-59% Total 8 3 2 7 1 4 25 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 25 15 62% Percent of Question Respondents 40.91% 4.55% 9.09% 22.73% 4.55% 9.09% 4.55% 4.55% Percent of Question Respondents 32.00% 12.00% 8.00% 28.00% 4.00% 16.00% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 94 Figure 52f: Please identify the source of your supplies by percentage: International Count 0% 1-9% 50-59% 70-79% Total 13 1 2 1 17 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 17 23 42% Figure 53: What products or services, if any, are you purchasing from outside the area for which you would like to have a local supplier? Count Percent of Question Respondents 76.47% 5.88% 11.76% 5.88% Percent of Question Respondents All of our products and services Graphite Heavy equipment/parts Lab services Metal working services Office supplies Quartz Robots (Drones) Safety equipment Computers / Software Powder Coating Steel None Total 1 5.26% 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 3 1 17 5.26% 5.26% 5.26% 5.26% 5.26% 5.26% 5.26% 5.26% 10.53% 10.53% 15.79% 5.26% Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: 39 19 20 Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 95 Response Rate: Response Rate: 49% 50% Figure 53b: If majority of products/services are being purchased from outside of the area, why are they NOT being purchased from within the area? Loyalty to current supplier Unaware of local venders Higher costs locally Product not available here Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Count Percent of Question Respondents 1 4% 1 4% 4 17% 21 88% 27 38 24 14 63% Figure 54: Do you supply your products or services to any company in the community or region? Percent of Question Respondents Count Yes No Total 17 3 20 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 20 20 50% 85.00% 15.00% FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT Figure 55: What is the square footage of your current facility?: Square feet Count Percent of Question Respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 96 less than 1,000 sq. ft. 1,000-4,999 sq. ft. 5,000-9,999 sq. ft. 10,000-19,999 sq. ft. 20,000 sq. ft. or more Total 7 12 6 4 7 36 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 Figure 56: Condition of facility 19.44% 33.33% 16.67% 11.11% 19.44% 36 4 90% Count Percent of Question Respondents Excellent Good Fair Poor Total 8 23 3 3 37 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 Figure 57: Condition of equipment 21.62% 62.16% 8.11% 8.11% 37 3 92% Count Excellent Good Fair Total 11 25 1 37 Survey Participants: 40 Percent of Question Respondents 29.73% 67.57% 2.70% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 97 Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 3 92% Figure 58: Status of facility Count s 37 Percent of Question Respondent Leased Owned Total 16 20 36 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 Figure 59: Status of facility: If Leased, what is the length of term remaining 36 4 90% Count <1 Year 1-2 Years 3-5 Years >5 Years Total 9 3 2 1 15 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Leased' Respondents: 40 Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: 44.44% 55.56% Percent of Question Respondents 60.00% 20.00% 13.33% 6.67% 15 1 16 36 94% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 98 Figure 59b: Are you planning on renewing current lease? Count Yes No Total 15 1 16 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Leased' Respondents: 40 Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: Figure 59c: Are you planning on renewing current lease?: If No, why not Seeking larger building Total Percent of Question Respondents 78.95% 5.26% 19 0 16 36 100% Count Percent of Question Respondents 1 100.00% 1 Survey Participants: 40 Question Respondents: 1 No Response Count: 0 Parent Question 'No' Respondents: 1 Parent Question Respondents: 19 Response Rate: 100% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 99 Figure 59d: Do you have a preference of lease vs own? Count Lease Own Total 9 11 20 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 Figure 60: Historical investment trends: Over past 18 months in the facility 45.00% 55.00% 20 20 50% Count Declining Staying the same Increasing Total 1 20 15 36 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 Figure 61: Does the company plan to expand in the next three years? Percent of Question Respondents Percent of Question Respondents 2.78% 55.56% 41.67% 36 4 90% Count Yes No Total 17 21 38 Survey Participants: 40 Percent of Question Respondents 44.74% 55.26% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 100 Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 61b: Are there any local expansion plans in the next 12 18 months? 38 2 95% Count Yes No Total 17 20 37 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 Figure 61c: Does the company plan to expand in the next three years?: Estimated timeframe for expansion 45.95% 54.05% 37 3 92% Count <1 Year 1-3 Years >3 Years Total 3 12 1 16 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: 40 Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: Percent of Question Respondents Percent of Question Respondents 18.75% 75.00% 6.25% 16 1 17 38 94% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 101 Figure 62: Is there room for expansion at this site? Count Yes No Maybe Total 25 8 5 38 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 Figure 63: Does the company plan to expand in the next three years? Is your current site adequate for the proposed expansion? 2 95% Count 14 3 17 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: 40 Figure 64: Does the company plan to expand in the next three years? Will it be in this community? 65.79% 21.05% 13.16% 38 Yes No Total Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: Percent of Question Respondents Percent of Question Respondents 82.35% 17.65% 17 0 17 38 100% Count Percent of Question Respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 102 Yes No Total 16 1 17 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: 40 17 0 Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: 17 38 100% Figure 65: Does the company plan to expand in the next three years?: Estimated total investment Count Less than $25,000 $25,000-$99,999 $100,000-$499,999 $500,000-$999,999 $1-$4.9 million $20 million and over Total 2 1 2 3 2 1 11 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: 40 Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: Figure 66: Does the company plan to expand in the next three years?: Approximate percentage 94.12% 5.88% Percent of Question Respondents 18.18% 9.09% 18.18% 27.27% 18.18% 9.09% 11 6 17 38 65% Count Percent of Question Respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 103 equipment/technology 0% Under 50% 50 to 99% 100% Total 1 2 2 4 9 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: 40 9 8 Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: Figure 67: Does the company plan to expand in the next three years?: Approximate percentage real estate 17 38 53% Count 0% Under 50% 50 to 99% 100% Total 2 2 1 5 10 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: 40 Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: 11.11% 22.22% 22.22% 44.44% Percent of Question Respondents 20.00% 20.00% 10.00% 50.00% 10 7 17 38 59% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 104 Figure 68: Does the company plan to expand in the next three years?: Estimated facility size increase (square feet) Count Less than 1,000 sq. ft. 1,000 to 4,999 sq. ft. 5,000-9,999 sq. ft. 10,000-19,999 sq. ft. Total 3 3 2 2 10 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: 40 Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: Figure 69: Have there been any recent facility upgrades? 30.00% 30.00% 20.00% 20.00% 10 7 17 38 59% Count Yes No Total 8 12 20 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 Figure 69b: Have there been any recent facility upgrades? If Yes, when?: Month scale Percent of Question Respondents Percent of Question Respondents 40.00% 60.00% 20 20 50% Count Percent of Question Respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 105 6 12 18 36 Total 2 3 1 1 7 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: 40 7 1 Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: Figure 70: Planning any upgrades to the facility? 8 20 88% Count Yes No Total 8 11 19 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 Figure 70b: Planning any upgrades to the facility? If Yes, when?: Month scale 28.57% 42.86% 14.29% 14.29% Percent of Question Respondents 42.11% 57.89% 19 21 48% Count 6 12 18 24 Total 1 4 1 2 8 Survey Participants: 40 Percent of Question Respondents 12.50% 50.00% 12.50% 25.00% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 106 Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: Figure 71: If No, are there any barriers to upgrading you wish to identify? None Total 8 0 8 19 100% Count Percent of Question Respondents 3 3 100% Survey Participants: 40 Question Respondents: 3 No Response Count: 8 Parent Question 'No' Respondents: 11 Parent Question Respondents: 19 Response Rate: 27% Figure 71b: What, if any, are the major constraints on your expansion? (Please check all that are applicable) Broadband access Lack of skilled staff Lack of suitable premises Transport/freight Finance Identifying and accessing new markets Count Percent of Question Respondents 1 1 3.85% 3.85% 1 3.85% 1 3 3.85% 11.54% 3 11.54% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 107 Other (please specify): Total 5 15 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: 40 No Response Count: 0 Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: Parent Question Respondents: Figure 71c: What, if any, are the major constraints on your expansion? (Please check all that are applicable): Other (please specify) Financing Finding more projects Lack of Suitable Premises Skilled labour supply Time Demand for service / product Economic uncertainty Total 19.23% 26 17 38 Count Percent of Question Respondents 1 1 9% 9% 1 9% 1 1 9% 9% 2 18% 2 9 18% Survey Participants: 40 Question Respondents: 11 No Response Count: 0 Parent Question 'Other (please specify):' Respondents: 11 Parent Question Respondents: 26 Response Rate: 100% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 108 Figure 72: Have you approached anybody in local/provincial/federal government or business development organizations to discuss your expansion plans? Percent of Question Respondents Count Yes No Total 3 30 33 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 33 7 82% Figure 72b: If Yes, which have you approached? BC Hydro BC Ministry responsible for Economic Development Other (please specify): Local Council Local Economic Development Office Total 9.09% 90.91% Count Percent of Question Respondents 1 33% 1 33% 1 33% 2 67% 3 100% 8 Survey Participants: 40 Question Respondents: 3 No Response Count: 0 Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: 3 Parent Question 33 Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 109 Respondents: Response Rate: Figure 72c: If Yes, which have you approached?: Other (please specify) Banks / Credit unions CBT (Columbia Basin Trust) Total 100% Count Percent of Question Respondents 1 33.33% 1 33.33% 2 Survey Participants: 40 Question Respondents: 1 No Response Count: 0 Parent Question 'Other' Respondents: 1 Parent Question Respondents: 3 Response Rate: 100% Figure 73: Have you factored improvements in energy efficiency in your expansion plans? Count Yes No Total 5 19 24 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 39 Percent of Question Respondents 20.83% 79.17% 24 15 62% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 110 Figure 74: Are you aware of BC Hydro Power Smart resources that are available to you? Count Yes No Total 21 17 38 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 Percent of Question Respondents 55.26% 44.74% 38 2 95% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 111 GOVERNMENT SERVICES Not Applicable % Not Applicable Poor Access to Port Facilities 16 84.21% 0 Access to US Border 5 25.00% 0 Access to airport facilities 0 0.00% 2 Access to highway/ roads 0 0.00% 0 Access to markets 0 0.00% 0 Access to suppliers 0 0.00% 1 Availability of appropriately zoned land 1 3.85% 3 Availability of buildings for lease or purchase 1 3.85% 4 Availability of rail transport 18 75.00% 0 Availability of road transport services 1 3.12% 0 Availability of warehousing 10 40.00% 0 Development approval process 2 7.69% 1 Disposal of waste material 6 22.22% 2 Figure 75: Government Services % Poor 0.00 % 0.00 % 6.25 % 0.00 % 0.00 % 3.23 % 11.54 % 15.38 % 0.00 % 0.00 % 0.00 % 3.85 % 7.41 % Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector Fair 0 0 4 2 5 6 2 1 2 7 0 1 1 % Fair 0.00 % 0.00 % 12.5 0% 6.25 % 15.6 2% 19.3 5% 7.69 % 3.85 % 8.33 % 21.8 8% 0.00 % 3.85 % 3.70 % 112 Good 3 9 19 22 18 19 19 19 1 17 12 21 17 % Good 15.79 % 45.00 % 59.38 % 68.75 % 56.25 % 61.29 % 73.08 % 73.08 % 4.17 % 53.12 % 48.00 % 80.77 % 62.96 % Excellent % Respondents Excellent 0 0.00% 19 6 30.00% 20 7 21.88% 32 8 25.00% 32 9 28.12% 32 5 16.13% 31 1 3.85% 26 1 3.85% 26 3 12.50% 24 7 21.88% 32 3 12.00% 25 1 3.85% 26 1 3.70% 27 Inspections /licensing 4 14.29% 1 Recycling 5 16.67% 0 Telecommunications (internet, cell) 0 0.00% 3 Water and sewerage supply 5 18.52% 1 Survey Participants: 40 3.57 % 0.00 % 10.00 % 3.70 % Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 1 0 8 1 3.57 % 0.00 % 26.6 7% 3.70 % 113 71.43 % 73.33 22 % 56.67 17 % 66.67 18 % 20 2 7.14% 28 3 10.00% 30 2 6.67% 30 2 7.41% 27 Figure 76: Do you have any suggestions on how to improve any of the services and infrastructure listed above? Yes No Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 76b: Do you have any suggestions on how to improve any of the services and infrastructure listed above?: If Yes, how? Downtown revitalization Improve highway and road quality and service Percent of Question Respondents Count 17 19 36 47.22% 52.78% 40 36 4 90% Percent of Question Respondents Count 1 5.88% 1 5.88% Improve recycling and waste management 1 5.88% Increase attention to community and business needs 1 5.88% Increase operational hours of border services 1 5.88% Streamline development approval processes 1 5.88% Expand electronic communication services (Cell phone/ Internet/ Broadband/Fiber) 6 35.29% Improve Airport service Total 6 18 35.29% Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: 40 17 0 Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: 17 Parent Question Respondents: 36 Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 114 Figure 77: Which airport services do you use? Percent of Question Respondents Count Trail Castlegar Total 1 3 4 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 19 21 48% Figure 78: Which airport services do you use?: What services would you like to see at the local airport? (where appropriate) Commuter flights Improve airport scanning services Passenger service Food service Better flight reliability Total Count 5.26% 15.79% Percent of Question Respondents 1 1 1 2 6 11 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 5.00% 5.00% 5.00% 10.00% 30.00% 40 20 20 50% BUSINESS CLIMATE Figure 79: Please rate the local business climate Excellent Good Fair Poor Total Percent of Question Respondents Count 5 24 7 1 37 14% 65% 19% 3% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 115 Survey Participants: 40 Question Respondents: 37 No Response Count: 3 Response Rate: 92% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 116 Figure 80: Business climate ratings No Opinion % No Opinion Poor % Poor Fair % Fair Good % Good Excellent % Excellent Respondents Chamber of Commerce 3 15.00% 4 20.00% 7 35.00% 6 30.00% 0 0.00% 20 Colleges/Universities 6 15.79% 4 10.53% 2 5.26% 25 65.79% 1 2.63% 38 Community Futures 15 75.00% 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 5 25.00% 0 0.00% 20 Cultural/Recreational Amenities 3 7.89% 1 2.63% 3 7.89% 13 34.21% 18 47.37% 38 Economic Development 4 10.53% 3 7.89% 11 28.95% 20 52.63% 0 0.00% 38 Housing 3 7.89% 3 7.89% 6 15.79% 23 60.53% 3 7.89% 38 K-12 education 7 18.42% 1 2.63% 6 15.79% 23 60.53% 1 2.63% 38 Local Government 3 7.89% 5 13.16% 10 26.32% 18 47.37% 2 5.26% 38 Local Tax Structure 6 15.79% 7 18.42% 11 28.95% 13 34.21% 1 2.63% 38 Technical Training 3 8.11% 22 59.46% 7 18.92% 5 13.51% 0 0.00% 37 Tourism services 3 15.00% 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 17 85.00% 0 0.00% 20 Workforce Availability 3 7.89% 6 15.79% 12 31.58% 8 21.05% 9 23.68% 38 Workforce Quality 2 5.26% 4 10.53% 6 15.79% 13 34.21% 13 34.21% 38 Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 117 Workforce Stability 4 Survey Participants: 40 10.53% 3 7.89% 9 Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 23.68% 13 34.21% 118 9 23.68% 38 Figure 81: Please compare the local business climate today versus 5 years ago Percent of Question Respondents Count Better today No change Worse today No opinion Total 22 7 5 3 37 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 37 3 92% Figure 81b: Please compare the local business climate today versus 5 years ago: If worse today, why? Percent of Question Respondents Count Declining economy More competition Businesses closing Total 1 1 2 4 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Worse today' Respondents: 40 5 0 Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: Figure 82: Do you have any forecast for the condition of the local business climate 5 years from today? Will be better No change Will be worse 59.46% 18.92% 13.51% 8.11% 20.00% 20.00% 40.00% 5 37 100% Percent of Question Respondents Count 19 15 3 50.00% 39.47% 7.89% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 119 No opinion Total 1 38 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 38 2 95% Figure 83: What are the community's strengths as a place to do business? Percent of Question Respondents Count Affordable Central location for region Environment Friendliness Great place to live Growth potential Low crime rate Natural beauty Word of mouth Recreational opportunities Location Skilled workforce Great community Stable economy Large industrial base Lifestyle Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 38 2 95% Figure 84: What are the community's weaknesses as a place to do business? Competition 2.63% 1 2.63% 1 2.63% 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2.63% 2.63% 2.63% 2.63% 2.63% 2.63% 2.63% 2 5.26% 3 3 4 5 6 10 42 7.89% 7.89% 10.53% 13.16% 15.79% 26.32% Count 1 Percent of Question Respondents 2.70% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 120 Lack of skilled workforce Risk aversion Suitable staff Tax structure 1 1 1 1 2.70% 2.70% 2.70% 2.70% Cyclical nature of markets 2 5.41% 2 5.41% 2 2 5.41% 5.41% Development Constraints (Zoning/Bureaucracy/Permits) 3 8.11% Population (size/growth/aging) 4 10.81% Shipping and Receiving costs 4 10.81% Geographic isolation Total 6 30 16.22% Dependent on one major industry Limited market Location Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 85: Are there any barriers to growth in this community? 40 37 3 92% Percent of Question Respondents Count Yes No Total 29 9 38 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 38 2 95% Figure 85b: Are there any barriers to growth in this community? : If Yes, what are they? Count 76.32% 23.68% Percent of Question Respondents Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 121 Access to capital Cost of doing business Environmentalists Fear of major employer closing Internet access Zoning Negative attitude Population (size / growth / age) Resistance to change Skilled labour Shipping costs Developmental approval process Low economic diversification Isolated location Total Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: 1 1 1 3.45% 3.45% 3.45% 1 3.45% 1 1 2 3.45% 3.45% 6.90% 2 6.90% 2 2 3 6.90% 6.90% 10.34% 4 13.79% 4 13.79% 5 30 17.24% 40 29 0 29 38 100% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 122 Not Applicabl e % Not Applicable Unable to assist % Unable to assist Basin Business Advisors Chamber of Commerce 16 6 80.00% 30.00% 0 0 0.00% 0.00% 0 8 0.00% 40.00% 0 1 0.00% 5.00% 4 5 College Industry Liaison Officer 15 75.00% 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 0 0.00% Community Futures Continuing Education and Workforce Training 15 78.95% 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 0 14 70.00% 0 0.00% 0 0.00% Economic Development Organization / Commission 6 30.00% 1 5.00% 0 Innovation Councils (Kootenay Association for Science and Technology, Kootenay Rockies Innovation Council) 4 20.00% 0 0.00% Invest Kootenay 15 75.00% 0 National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance 10 50.00% Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Incentive Program 9 47.37% Survey Participants: 39 Figure 86: Level of service from business support providers Excellen t % Excellent Respondent s 20.00% 25.00% 0 0 0.00% 0.00% 20 20 5 25.00% 0 0.00% 20 0.00% 4 21.05% 0 0.00% 19 0 0.00% 6 30.00% 0 0.00% 20 0.00% 1 5.00% 11 55.00% 1 5.00% 20 0 0.00% 2 10.00% 10 50.00% 4 20.00% 20 0.00% 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 5 25.00% 0 0.00% 20 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 9 45.00% 1 5.00% 20 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 9 47.37% 1 5.26% 19 Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector Poor 123 % Poor Fair % Fair Good % Good Figure 87: Are there suppliers you think could locate in this region? Percent of Question Respondents Count Yes No Total 6 32 38 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 38 2 95% Figure 87b: Are there suppliers you think could locate in this region?: If Yes, please list 15.79% 84.21% Percent of Question Respondents Count Building supplies Lab services Software developers Retail stores Total 1 1 1 2 5 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: 40 5 1 Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: Figure 88: Do you supply your products or services to any company in the community or region? Yes No Total 20.00% 20.00% 20.00% 40.00% 6 38 83% Percent of Question Respondents Count 17 2 19 89% 11% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 124 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 89: Tell us which business, sector, or industry to attract that would strategically benefit you or your industry 39 19 20 49% Percent of Question Respondents Count Analytical lab services Information Technology Mining and exploration Restaurants Technology businesses Tourism Recreational services Construction Manufacturing Total 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 5 11 24 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 25 15 62% 4.00% 4.00% 4.00% 4.00% 4.00% 4.00% 8.00% 20.00% 44.00% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 125 Not important % Not at all or applicable not very important % Not important at all or not very important Somewhat important, very important % Somewhat important, very important Respondents Figure 90: Business competitiveness factors Not applicable Access to exporting and international markets 7 18.42% 20 52.63% 11 28.95% 38 Accessing capital 2 5.26% 19 50.00% 17 44.74% 38 Add or change in business, products or services 2 5.26% 9 23.68% 27 71.05% 38 Affordable shipping/freight 3 7.89% 11 28.95% 24 63.16% 38 Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 126 Availability of telecommunications infrastructure and services 1 2.63% 5 13.16% 32 84.21% 38 Energy costs 4 10.81% 21 56.76% 12 32.43% 37 Exchange rate for Canadian dollar 3 7.89% 17 44.74% 18 47.37% 38 Expansion of workforce employees 0 0.00% 14 37.84% 23 62.16% 37 Improvement business management 1 2.78% 3 8.33% 32 88.89% 36 Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 127 Improvement of customer services 1 2.63% 5 13.16% 32 84.21% 38 Improving worker productivity 0 0.00% 5 13.51% 32 86.49% 37 New market development locally 4 10.53% 5 13.16% 29 76.32% 38 New market development outside of region 1 2.63% 6 15.79% 31 81.58% 38 New product research and development 1 2.70% 13 35.14% 23 62.16% 37 Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 128 Reliable air transportation 2 5.26% 18 47.37% 18 47.37% 38 Strategic alliances (joining with other businesses to provide products/services) 2 5.41% 2 5.41% 33 89.19% 37 Water/sewer availability 10 26.32% 23 60.53% 5 13.16% 38 Water/sewer costs 9 23.68% 22 57.89% 7 18.42% 38 Workforce skill development 0 0.00% 3 8.11% 34 91.89% 37 Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 129 Workplace health and safety 0 Survey Participants: 39 0.00% 5 13.16% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 33 86.84% 130 38 Figure 91: Performance of key productivity drivers Not Applicable % Not Applicable Poor % Poor Innovation & the use of technology 1 3.03% 0 0.00% Investing in people and skills 1 3.23% 0 Leadership and management capacity 0 0.00% Measuring impact of productivity efforts/ investments 3 Networking and collaboration with other businesses % Fair Good % Good Excellent % Excellent Respondents 2 6.06% 23 69.70% 7 21.21% 33 0.00% 3 9.68% 19 61.29% 8 25.81% 31 0 0.00% 2 6.06% 22 66.67% 9 27.27% 33 9.09% 1 3.03% 3 9.09% 18 54.55% 8 24.24% 33 2 6.25% 1 3.12% 0 0.00% 19 59.38% 10 31.25% 32 Organizing work (structures & processes) 2 6.06% 0 0.00% 2 6.06% 20 60.61% 9 27.27% 33 Productive workplace culture 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 1 3.03% 25 75.76% 7 21.21% 33 Survey Participants: 39 Fair Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 131 Figure 92: Please indicate which economic drivers have the greatest potential for growth in the region over the next 5 to 10 years. (please pick top 3) Percent of Count Question Respondents Education Health & wellness 1 3 3.45% 10.34% Other niche service businesses (e.g. services to seniors) 4 13.79% Construction Forestry Arts 5 5 6 17.24% 17.24% 20.69% Relocation of people from urban centres 6 20.69% culture and creative businesses 6 20.69% Green or environmental businesses 11 37.93% Manufacturing 11 37.93% Technology-based businesses 14 48.28% Tourism Other Total 15 9 96 51.72% 31.03% Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: Figure 92b: Please indicate which economic drivers have the greatest potential for growth in the region over the next 5 to 10 years. (please pick top 3): If Other please specify Hydroelectricity Pulp Recycling Renewable Energy 39 29 10 74% Percent of Question Respondents Count 1 1 1 1 3.45% 3.45% 3.45% 3.45% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 132 Mining Total 3 7 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Parent Question 'Other' Respondents: 39 Parent Question Respondents: Response Rate: Is your business impacted by its proximity to the Alberta border? 10.34% 5 4 9 29 56% Percent of Question Respondents Count No Total 20 20 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 39 20 19 51% Is your business impacted by its proximity to the Alberta border?: If Yes, please explain Total Survey Participants: 100.00% Percent of Question Respondents Count 0 39 Question Respondents: 0 No Response Count: 0 Parent Question 'Yes' Respondents: 0 Parent Question Respondents: 20 Response Rate: 0% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 133 ASSESSMENT AND PLANS Figure 93: Rate the following: Facility's overall health Count Excellent Good Fair Total 12 23 3 38 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 Figure 94: Rate the following: Overall health of the parent company 2 95% Count 6 7 1 24 38 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 Excellent Good 31.58% 60.53% 7.89% 38 Excellent Good Fair Not applicable Total Figure 95: Rate the following: Local management's attitude toward the community Percent of Question Respondents Percent of Question Respondents 15.79% 18.42% 2.63% 63.16% 38 2 95% Count Percent of Question Respondents 13 20 34.21% 52.63% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 134 Fair Poor Not applicable Total 2 1 2 38 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 38 2 95% Figure 96: Rate the following: Parent company's attitude towards the community Count Excellent Good Poor Not applicable Total 3 8 3 23 37 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 Rate the risk: Facility closing in the next 1 3 years 5.26% 2.63% 5.26% Percent of Question Respondents 8.11% 21.62% 8.11% 62.16% 37 3 92% Count Low Total 38 38 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 Percent of Question Respondents 100.00% 38 2 95% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 135 Rate the risk: Facility downsizing in the next 1 - 3 years Count Low Total 37 37 Survey Participants: Question Respondents: No Response Count: Response Rate: 40 Percent of Question Respondents 100.00% 37 3 92% Columbia Basin Business Retention and Expansion Project: Report on the Mining and Metallurgical Sector 136