Page 23 - Westman Business 2018

OCTOBER 2018 • WESTMAN BUSINESS • THE BRANDON SUN 23

a bit in metal fabrication as well.” And while KPMG has since ceased that analysis, giv- as late as 2016, was ranked among the top three in the
These already-existing clusters of businesses in Bran- en all the indicators – a low unemployment rate, strong country by KPMG.
don – both agricultural and industrial – act as a magnet population growth, GDP growth and disposable income There are, of course, hurdles to be met, especially
for similar companies to set up shop. spending in the retail sector – it appears 2019 will be when it comes to the retail sector. The growth of online
“If we didn’t have metal fabrication here, it would another solid year for the city. shopping has had a negative effect on the bottom line
be difficult to get someone to come here,” Chrest said. “If you look at that type of an indicator, and you look of large retailers in the community. And yet, Trudel said
“When you have a reasonable footprint, you have a at the overall environment which KPMG would have there has been solid growth in the service sector this year,
chance of attracting more.” evaluated, there has been no backward sliding,” Econom- in the range of 2.2 per cent. And the projection for 2019
Over the course of his first four years as mayor, Chrest ic Development Brandon director Sandy Trudel said. looks similar.
has joined his fellow elected officials in overseeing steady Save for a slight increase in May, Brandon’s localized “Overall, the projection for retail is that they remain
growth within the city, even as unemployment numbers unemployment rate has consistently come in lower than strong.”
in Brandon spiked between 2016 and 2017. last year’s rates, month over month. The city’s GDP While Brandon’s manufacturing sector and retail ser-
As The Sun reported in last year’s Westman Business growth remains at 1.4 to 1.5 per cent annually, and Bran- vices allow the city to be diversified enough to weather
section, the Wheat City has earned a competitive edge as don has maintained a strong population growth that is ups and downs in the economy, it remains highly depen-
it relates to the affordability of doing business – at least well above the national average. dent on its surrounding rural communities.
according to a 2016 report by KPMG on how cities’ eco- Municipal taxes have been kept well below the rate of
nomic competitiveness stack up against each other. inflation, and the city’s commercial property tax ranking, » Continued on Page 29