The Region of Durham is launching its annual Durham Region Business Count 2026 this spring, gathering critical employment statistics to help build a stronger and more resilient local economy across all eight area municipalities in the region. From May through August, the Region’s dedicated Business Count team will be systematically visiting businesses throughout Durham Region to collect valuable data about current business operations, existing employment numbers, planned future growth, and commercial floor space utilization across every sector of the local economy.
Surveyors participating in the Durham Region Business Count 2026 will be easily identifiable to members of the public, wearing distinctive navy blue Durham Region shirts and carrying official photo identification cards at all times during their community fieldwork. They will conduct brief on-site surveys with business owners and operators to gather the information needed to support informed economic planning and targeted service delivery across the region’s diverse and rapidly growing business community.
All businesses currently operating within Durham Region are strongly encouraged to participate in the comprehensive count, including home-based businesses, agricultural operations of all sizes, and registered non-profit organizations that serve the local community. Businesses can complete the 2026 Business Count survey online at durham.ca/BusinessCount, providing a convenient digital option for those who prefer to submit their information electronically rather than scheduling an in-person visit from a survey team member.
While the survey team will make every reasonable effort to visit every brick-and-mortar business location in person during the extended collection period, they will also reach out by telephone, leave paper survey forms at the business location, or provide online completion options when they are unable to connect with business representatives directly during their initial visit to the premises.
The data collected through the Durham Region Business Count 2026 plays a critically important role in planning regional services and developing targeted programs that support a strong and continuously growing local economy throughout Durham Region. The information collected also helps maintain accurate and current Regional and municipal business directories that effectively connect local businesses with potential customers, clients, and valuable strategic partners throughout the community.
Businesses actively looking for new suppliers, reliable service providers, or productive partnership opportunities are encouraged to visit the Region’s comprehensive online business directory at durham.ca to explore the extensive network of local enterprises currently operating across Durham Region’s eight vibrant and diverse communities.
Colleen Goodchild, Director of Community Growth for the Region of Durham, emphasized the importance of the annual initiative by noting that quality data is absolutely essential to understanding and effectively supporting the local business community in meaningful ways. Through the Business Count program, the Region is able to better plan essential services, guide strategic infrastructure investments, and maintain up-to-date business directories that directly benefit the entire Durham community and its economic development goals.
All sensitive business data collected during the survey process will be kept strictly confidential and used only by the Region of Durham and local area municipalities for official planning purposes. Businesses interested in reviewing the complete Terms of Use and comprehensive data privacy information can find all relevant details by visiting durham.ca/BusinessCount online at their convenience.
