One study on small business in Owen Sound does not tell the whole story, according to Steve Furness at city hall.
The Economic Development Manager is saying a Canadian Federation of Independent Business survey that ranks Owen Sound second last out of 95 communities, needs to be taken with a grain of salt.
Furness says the survey of small business puts a strong focus on the property tax burden.
Although he admits the Owen Sound commercial rate is higher than some centres, the survey fails to take into account several other factors.
The Economic Development Manager says improvements to the downtown facade, free downtown wireless initiatives and the waiving of 2009 development charges.. were not considered in the recent survey.
Furness says just a few years ago, the Bank of Montreal found Owen Sound was a hot spot for new small business development.
He says both studies need to be looked at, and neither tells the full story.
Meanwhile, the Economic Development Manager says the Scenic City will continue to review tax rates for business, which have recently been reduced slightly, and will encourage small business to set up shop in the city.