The 2025 Business and Retention and Expansion survey focuses on professional services, and underscores that the County’s remote workers in this growing sector find it difficult to connect.

The annual Economic Development survey launched in 2023 with a general survey. In 2024 it focused on construction and skilled trades. 

The report from Farrell Insights notes this second wave of migration from the city follows the first wave of chefs, vintners, and brewers. 
The effect of that wave was transformative.

In partnership with Farrell Insights, the professional services study included an online component, four focus groups, and personal interviews. Mike Farrell, President of Farrell Insights, presented the results to the Committee of the Whole on January 15th. 

Professional services encompasses a ‘’wide cross-section of services and careers,” he noted.

Business services and consulting, real estate, building services, landscape services, personal and family services, and health and wellness—excluding doctors, nurses, and dentists — are all part of it.

There are about 14,500 people of working age in the County between the ages of 15 and 64, and 14 percent of them work in professional services. That’s about 2000 people.

The survey received 79 responses, over half from those working in business and consulting. 

“Only eight percent of the professionals surveyed have always lived in the County,” Mr. Farrell said. Many moved in over the past 4 to 7 years.

“They’ve come from the cosmopolitan centres to escape the shoebox life in the big city,” he noted, pointing out that this second wave of migration from the city follows the first wave of chefs, vintners, and brewers. The effect of that wave was transformative.

“They are buying houses here, they are increasing the tax base,” he added.

Respondents reported being drawn to the County for the close connection offered by small towns and rural communities. “Community came up tons and tons of times,” Mr. Farrell said. “The allure of a small, close-knit community.”

But for many, the desire to connect is stifled by working from home, the reality for 78 percent of survey respondents. 

To allay this, Economic Development staff are piloting a coworking space in Picton Town Hall on Thursdays throughout January.

Mr. Farrell also emphasized networking opportunities such as Creative Rural Minds, a quarterly workshop series in partnership with the Four Season Visitor Economy and Department of Illumination.

For many in professional services, it’s not just about social connection, but an opportunity to create new business opportunities. The report notes that 65 percent of respondents are business owners, most County-based. 

These are primarily small businesses of one to four employees. While they operate from the County, the markets they serve are equally local, regional, and national. 

Only 11 percent of respondents said the County is an “excellent” place to work. The main concern was the lack of reliable internet access, and the high cost of speed. 

“We know about internet and we know about roads,” Mayor Steve Ferguson said. “What do you think would be the most significant thing we can do for this category of the economy?” he asked. 

“There’s no silver bullet,” Mr. Farrell allowed. “Acknowledgement will help. It’s an important piece of the pie. Showing there is networking support will go a long way.”