January 12, 2012

Researchers at Medicine Hat College are partnering with Mount Royal University to conduct local research aimed at helping small business owners in the region.

“We want to help small businesses figure out their barriers to growth,” said Miranda Davies, a business instructor at MHC and lead researcher on the project. “We know that entrepreneurship is a main component in creating new jobs, and we want to know how small businesses can be assisted in succeeding.”

Davies is working with lead project manager Jon Sookocheff and a student research assistant to recruit 80 small businesses to fill out the survey. The survey is targeted at independently owned and operated small businesses located in Medicine Hat. 

Medicine Hat College is one of three colleges working with MRU on the project. Lakeland College and Portage College are also taking part in the research. Once community surveys are completed, they will be sent to MRU for statistical analysis.

The MHC research team plans on surveying four communities in our region over the course of the three-year study, beginning with Medicine Hat. 

Once the results for Medicine Hat are compiled, business owners who have completed the survey are invited to attend an information session to learn the results.  The research team also plans to host at least two training sessions for small business owners who have completed the survey.

“Our hope is that we can align the small businesses with proper community services, so they can together help build a more thriving economy,” Davies said.

To participate, business owners are asked to contact Miranda Davies at (403)504-3589 or mdavies@mhc.ab.ca. They are also encouraged to attend an informational breakfast on February 7th at 8 a.m. at Inspire Café.

The survey is expected to take 45 minutes to complete and results are expected to be returned in April. Funding for the survey has been provided by Alberta Rural Development Network. The survey is available online here.