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What role should local government play in the business community? This brings up an interesting topic - should our City be regulating which businesses open up in the City and deciding which locations those businesses should be operating in?
Currently the City does this in a broad sense through our community plans and zoning bylaws that designate specific areas for residential, commercial and industrial uses. However we generally encourage the establishment of businesses within appropriate zones to be determined by individual prospective entrepreneurs and by the overall economics of the community.
Occasionally an established business owner may attempt to use the local government to prevent further competition from becoming established. One of the opinions expressed by some is that proponents of manipulating the market in this way are simply trying to protect themselves from competition. An additional opinion is that competition breeds innovation, better personal service and ultimately more success.
Recently a new business was established in Port Alberni in direct competition with a current one in the same neighbourhood. In order to remain competitive, the existing business owner is innovating the business to add a mobile service, thus serving the community even more effectively and enlarging the customer base.
Through continuing to offer the personal service that they are known for and by being innovative, this business should continue to flourish because of- not in spite of- competition.
Let your City Council know your thoughts on this and any other topic. Come for our monthly "Coffee with Mayor and Council" sessions, come to our biweekly Council meetings, visit our website or phone my office at 250-720-2822 to make a personal appointment.
Thank you,
John D.
