Kawartha Lakes COVID-19 Business Impact Study€¦ · 76.4% of respondents felt their business...

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Kawartha Lakes COVID-19 Business Impact StudyScientific Phase

MDB Insight May 2020

Background/ Research Methodology

Background

– The City of Kawartha Lakes hired MDB Insight to conduct a survey to help support businesses as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim was to gain an understanding of the impacts that COVID-19 has had on local businesses and any supports required to help local economic recovery.

– The survey used a Computer-Assisted-Telephone-Interviewing methodology, which resulted in a total sample of 179 businesses.

– The final sample was representative of the total proportions by industry in the City of Kawartha Lakes.

– Businesses were called by the Economic Development Staff at the City of Kawartha Lakes between 9 am and 9 pm, April 28th – May 4th, 2020

– The sampling resulted in a margin of error of +/- 7.3% with a 95% confidence level.

City of Kawartha Lakes COVID-19 Business Impact Survey

58.7% of the businesses surveyed were considered essential by the Province of Ontario. 77.6% of businesses reported a decrease in activity, and 20.7% reporting that they were not currently operating.

Overall Business Impacts

Based on the current Province of Ontario list, is your business an essential workplace?

Please indicate which of the following best describes the impact COVID-19 has had on the health of your business?

n = 179City of Kawartha Lakes COVID-19 Business Impact Survey

*.8% of the sample did not respond


Industry Expansions and Decreases

Business impacts within each industry

• Farms, Not-for-Profits and Retail/ Wholesale Trade were the industries with the highest proportion of businesses that reported expansion during COVID-19

• Within each industry, other than Farming and Not-for-Profits, the majority of respondents reported a decrease in their business

• All respondents in the Accommodations, Arts/ Entertainment/Recreation and Healthcare/Social Assistance industries reported a decrease in business

39.1% of the businesses

that reported an expansion

mentioned it would be

somewhat or very difficult

to maintain their current

levels of staff.

Business Staffing Levels

Respondents with employees that reported an expansion in business (N=25):

Respondents with employees that reported a decrease in business (N=75):

66.2% of the businesses

that reported decreased

business mentioned it was

somewhat or very difficult

to maintain their current

levels of staff.


Respondents outlined the adaptations they have made in response to the pandemic, and also mentioned their areas of immediate concern.


Adaptations and Areas of Immediate Concern

What are the areas of immediate concern to your business during the pandemic? What measures, if any, have you taken in response to COVID-19?

n = 179

76.4% of respondents felt their business could survive an additional 3 months under current conditions, 55.6% felt they could survive and additional 6 months

Business Outlook


Would you be able to maintain your business operations if the

current situation lasts an additional:

50% of businesses found the government assistance announced to be helpful to their business. 32% did not find the assistance available to be helpful and provided suggestions.

Government Assistance

Key Suggestions/ Inputs from Businesses

Loans/ subsidies didn’t cover them/ business hasn’t decreased enough for subsidy

Worried about paying back loans/ long term repercussions/ payment risks

Size of support is not enough to make a difference

Don’t need assistance/ feel they can make it through without



Technological Adaptations and Recovery Needs

Have you had challenges using technology to adapt to the current situation? If so, what?

n = 179

What will be most the most important needs for your business’ recovery?

Businesses listed the technological challenges they have experienced as well as the most important needs for their recovery

* 54.2% of business also listed ‘Other’ challenges using technology to adapt

The business sample was representative of the industry proportions in the City of Kawartha Lakes. 110 businesses requested a follow-up from the City of Kawartha Lakes Economic Development team.


Survey Sampling Outcomes

n = 179

Thank You!


Contact Details

Chris Bandak, MDB Insight

[email protected]

1.855.367.3535 x224

Simon Webb, MDB Insight

[email protected]

1.855.367.3535 x247


Kawartha Lakes COVID-19 Business Impact Study€¦ · 76.4% of respondents felt their business...

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