Congratulations. Hope this will spur lots on true investment into the greater Prince George region and city.

Why shouldn’t it be the best place in the world to do business with the amount of tax dollars used to drive the economy and the cheap property that the city provides.
Cheers

because there's too many anti-business wingnuts here. Nobody wants to deal with the hordes of unintelligent, backward ghetto-dwellers who protest every business that tries to come here, then turn around and bitch about potholes, healthcare, school closures and everything else business ultimately pays for. Run the wingnuts out of town and this place will prosper.

Who pays for business being able to stay in business? Those who purchase the services and products of the businesses.

Businesses are part of the economic cycle just like everyone else. They have some advantages over the average private customer.

Take groceries, for example. I cannot deduct my purchases of groceries from my income tax before I calculate a net income. Nor can I deduct the gasoline and wear and tear on the car when I use it to buy my groceries.

When businesses buy something to create products or services, the same as private individuals provide a service when they are employed, they can deduct such expenses. As a private individual, I cannot.

In fact, I can run a business, expense everything, make no net profit and pay no taxes at all.

"Nobody wants to deal with the hordes of unintelligent, backward ghetto-dwellers who protest every business that tries to come here, then turn around and bitch about potholes, healthcare, school closures and everything else business ultimately pays for"

No doubt that business does drive a great deal of economic activity, however, the actual money that business pays into the coffers isn't as significant as many people probably think.

Per stats from the Department of Finance, federal government revenues from 2008-2009 were comprised 50% of personal income tax, 11% from GST (paid for fully by individuals) and only 13% from coprorate income tax.

So while business does provide the opportunity for people to work, individuals pay FAR MORE than business when it comes to paying for the actual services and infrastructure that everyone ultimately benefits from, business included.

I hope that a businessman or woman has some advantages in opening a business otherwise why bother? There has to be some added perks for taking the risk, mortgaging your home, working nights and weekends, putting in 70-80 hours per week, taking no vacations for years, putting up with all the paperwork you don't get paid for, providing health and dental, the bureaucracy of the workplace and all the problems.
And for all this the small businessman or woman hopes that they can provide a service that customers appreciate and they can constantly improve on, that unforeseen economic conditions don't harm them, and eventually heaven forbid, make a profit. Thank God that there may eventually be an advantage otherwise most of us, outside of government workers, would not have a job.
Stats say that small business provides 65% of the jobs in Canada.
If this report brings new business to town then Thank you very much.

RIP .... I am sorry, I do not call what you describe as a business. I call that a ma and pop operation .....

Running such an operation as a business to me means:

1. putting oneself on salary at reasonable rates and drawing that on a regular twice a month or every two week basis.

2. investment money that comes in has a reasonable rate of return associated with it such as long term GIC+

3. there is sufficient income before taxes that provide money to maintain the capital assets of the business and invest back in to grow the business as well if so desired.

4. there is sufficient income to build up a "good will" value in the business so that it is a saleable item which will provide you the greater than normal return on investment.

If you do not have a business that can survive in that fashion after a couple of years, I suggest that you quit that and go onto something else because the business is not sustainable, not productive, not benefitting the community other than providing volunteer labour and donations to the community and maybe even undermining other businesses.

It is how businesses are run in underdeveloped economies.

I was sure the correctness czar would show up.
I guess every business started big and then became smaller. How many businesses started as Mom and Pop and through good management and good fortune became bigger? How many loggers took the risk, put in unbelievable hours and grew? How many operators started small and expanded or franchised? How many small businesses support local teams and charities. How many Mom and Pop stores as you call them coach, sit on community boards or counsels? How many stores suffered through hardships that eventually prospered hiring more people?
You can't split hairs with those so blind they will not see.

Yeah. And what about being #1 for pollution of the air? And what about being #1 for being the cultural septic tank of BC? We gotta keep trying to keep on the top of all the first place list!

you mean chainsaw carvings aren't culture?

If you come to PG for culture, it doesn't say much for your intelligence.

gus... do you own your own business or are you arm chair quarterbacking. I own a business, RIP is right on a few things... as for writing off grocery's thats illegal, same with the car wear and tear. It is only if it was for business reasons... try getting auditied you will see it isn't worth the risk in most cases.

There are days when I, my wife and my kids wish I would just get a job. Then I would be home more and when I am at home... I would actually be away from work.

Well Porter and RIP, I can relate to your comments. I have been self-employed for over 15 years and I can tell you there are easier roads to take. The sacrifices, the missed paychecks, the 60 hour weeks, 3 week vacations? (maybe in my dreams).

I suggest taking a walk in my shoes sometime and tell me if you think I have some unfair advantage because I can write off some of my vehicle expenses, or business lunches or ???

No Pension Plans, no Benefit packages, No Golden Dental plans and no job security. Profits? Ha, I'd be happy to break even and keep 50% of what I earn. But, that is still a dream. The costs of being in business are a burden, the Regulators, Government, CRA, EI, CPP, and Worksafe BC are all after your time and your money. We spend more and more time complying and less time looking after our clients.

Believe me, working for somebody else would be a delight in comparison with a lot less responsibilities. And I have thought about it often lately. Especially after experiencing a 30% reduction in business income.

Yes, I do have my own business which contracts out services. I bill for the hours I work and get paid for those hours plus expenses. There is little risk. The risk is the same as an employee has these days.

I have also been a business owner with several employees for a decade. I think any investor or lender will tell you the things I have written. They are blatant and out there and lot of people do not want to hear it, I realized that when I wrote it. The reason why someone might have to take out a mortgage on a house to invest in their business is because one cannot get a business loan, primarily because they do not have a viable business plan.

Many people wishing to start a business of their own do not even know how to write a viable business plan.

1. No projects for you as a contractor = no billable hours = no money coming in.

2. No projects or customers for your employer = no billable hours or goods purchased = layoff for you as an employee
= no money coming in.

Same result, different paths, same risks.

When times are tough, they are tough for employees and small business employers. Those business owners that have some flexibility built through a padding of employees have the option of keeping the business going by kicking in with their work once again anmd getting rid of some or all the hired help.

Human resources are typically the highest costs in a business. When times get tough, they are the first component of the business to go.

If you do not like my words about running your own business and paying yourself for your work and for your investment, then listen to some those that might want to invest in your business.

http://www.entrepreneur.com/money/moneymanagement/article80024.html

By paying yourself what you are worth, you aren't painting an artificial portrait of the business.

lol Gus - your post reminds me of an old friend of mine. Sitting around having a few beers he had the "greatest idea ever" for a business. After quitting his job and buying a truck and some decals he then went to the bank for money for the equipment he needed. No numbers, no plan, just "sure it will work". When the business failed it was "all the banks fault for not giving me the money"
hahahaha

BTW, back to the topic of the report

The summary of the report can be read here:

[url]ftp://ftp.competitivealternatives.com/2010_compalt_execsum_en.pdf[url]

PG is first in the list on the last page. Of the 13 cities on the west coast, the top two are Canadian since US cities are generally more expensive to do business in.

Thus PG is a factor of 94.3 and Vancouver is 94.9, with Boise at 97.2.

It is good for promotional purposes to be number one for those wanting to locate close to the Pacific Rim market. Generally speaking, however, eastern Canadian cities are less expensive to do business in.

There are some excellent comparative analysis options available on the site for specific cities and specific industries as well as averages.

http://www.competitivealternatives.com/results/locationmenu.aspx

ftp://ftp.competitivealternatives.com/2010_compalt_execsum_en.pdf

Gee, Gus, your advice takes all the fun out of operating your own business-WAIT! I forgot, there is not much fun to be had. The viewpoint seems cynical, but your words are true. The voice of experience often seems cynical, but realism can come across that way. Speaking as one who got into business without enough capital, no schooling, and not much experience, but made it work anyway(luck, hard work)
I agree with you for the most part, but I think that you would agree that we all have to start somewhere, and as my Father is so fond of saying "everybody deserves the chance to try something and go broke"
metalman.

Good morning everyone

What started out as a "thumbs up" article from a very well respected accounting business firm extolling the advantages of Prince George somehow morphed into a lecture on business from our respected, esteemed professor consultant.
So i was thinking, perhaps Gus you could be our welcoming liaison on any prospective businesses who contemplate coming to Prince George. You could advise them on the finer points of business and "tune them up" so to speak.
Who knows with your warm, engaging, friendly, approachable, non-combative, non-judgemental, unassuming manner you may do for business what the Boston Strangler did for door to door salesmen?

Keep it coming Gus.

One Line said it all, "Do you have a business plan". If you dont better go to the want adds and look for a job, if you have a skill to get one.

The days of thr pioneer are gone.
Cheers