Thunder Bay looks to BR+E.

• Position: Around the North; Business Retention and Expansion - Brief Article

A new economic development project called Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) was announced by the City of Thunder Bay to stimulate growth of existing local businesses.

"Helping our existing businesses is the primary objective of the project," says Derik Brandt, manager of tourism and economic division in the city.

"The BR+E initiative can make local businesses more competitive by evaluating and addressing their broader needs and concerns."

The project stimulates job growth by helping communities identify the concerns and barriers that are important to survival and success. Trained volunteers will visit local businesses, with emphasis put on the tourism, forestry, knowledge and transportation sectors. They will gather information, identify and analyze the challenges, and local leaders will attempt to come up with solutions to better fit the...