What businesses do residents want to see in Portage?

Residents of Portage la Prairie had the opportunity to share their thoughts about what businesses they'd like to see come to our community last week at the Portage Job Fair. 

Portage Regional Economic Development (PRED) Director Eve O'Leary says they're involved with Communities Building Youth Futures. She sits on the leadership table as a part of PRED providing the economic development lens. 

"I'm very excited to be involved in the career fair," says O'Leary. "One of the things I wanted to do from an economic development point of view was to try and get a pulse on what that people think PRED should be attracting in terms of businesses. We're hearing lots of examples and also trying to get a pulse on what do people love about the community and some of the things that they'd like to see change."

She outlines examples of some suggestions.

"These are all just examples for today, but people are talking maybe about Wendy's and some coffee shops here, maybe a Starbucks, different clothing stores and different themes as well for children in terms of a trampoline park," continues O'Leary. "We're getting some really exciting ideas and it's great. It's been a great brainstorming session today."

Among the suggested businesses put on sticky notes, there were Cabela's, Costco, "a real mall," Hot Topic, Swiss Chalet, Mongo's, Footlocker, health foods, Chapters, Indigo, more thrift stores, laser tag, and escape rooms.
 

Click below to enlarge: