The Business Visitation Program launched in November 2021, and has been developed to support local businesses as an integral part of the CGI framework aimed at fostering relationships with the local business community. The program typically consists of in-person visits with CGI staff, although businesses may request a virtual visit instead. Visits may be initiated by the department or by any home-based or store-front business operating within Okotoks.
During the business visitation, staff representatives meet with local business owners to discuss:
- Business environment in Okotoks
- Business information and resources available to them
- Future plans for the business
- Challenges
- Opportunities for growth
- Support/resource needs of the business
- Services offered by the Town including opportunities to be more effective in service delivery
During the meeting with local business owners, staff will ask questions aimed at understanding trends and needs to help identify how the Town can provide better supports. The questions will help identify potential expansion or retention opportunities, and also inform the Town on what particular trends to keep track of.
Through the information gathered from visitations, areas of concern and importance for our existing businesses will be revealed so that the Town will better understand broader economic challenges, needs and opportunities that locally owned and operated businesses are facing. Policies and procedures will be reviewed and updated accordingly based on the feedback received.
