Automation and Robotics Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) Plan 

Welcome to the City of Cambridge's Automation and Robotics BR+E Plan!

The City of Cambridge is committed to strengthening our local economy by focusing on the automation and robotics sector. We are excited to launch a comprehensive Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) project aimed at understanding and supporting businesses in this critical industry. Here’s why we’re undertaking this initiative and what we hope to achieve:

Why We’re Conducting This Project

  1. Identify Needs and Challenges: We aim to gain a clear understanding of the specific needs and challenges faced by automation and robotics businesses. This will help us tailor our support and resources effectively.

  2. Promote Growth and Competitiveness: By enhancing the growth and competitiveness of our local automation and robotics cluster, we aim to boost the local economy and create more job opportunities.

  3. Strengthen Relationships: We want to build stronger relationships between the City of Cambridge and local businesses, fostering a collaborative environment that encourages investment and partnership.

  4. Attract Investment: Insights from this project will be used to attract further investment and new businesses to our Industrial Parks, fueling economic development.

  5. Inform Policy and Planning: The data gathered will inform municipal policies and strategic planning, ensuring our strategies align with industry needs and trends.

What We Hope to Achieve

  1. Improved Understanding of Business Needs: We’ll develop a comprehensive understanding of the needs and challenges within the automation and robotics sector, guiding targeted support efforts.

  2. Enhanced Business Competitiveness: Our goal is to strengthen local businesses’ competitiveness, boosting productivity, innovation, and market share.

  3. Stronger Business-Government Relationships: We aim to improve collaboration and ongoing dialogue between the City and businesses, fostering a supportive environment.

  4. Increased Investment Attraction: Leveraging insights to attract new investments and businesses, thereby boosting local economic growth and job creation.

  5. Informed Policy and Strategic Planning: We’ll use data-driven insights to shape policies and strategic plans that meet the needs of the automation and robotics sector.

  6. Addressing Immediate Opportunities: Rapid responses to any immediate opportunities or challenges identified during the survey to ensure swift resolution.

  7. Increased Awareness and Engagement: Raising awareness about the importance of the automation and robotics sector and encouraging further engagement from the public and private sectors.

  8. Final Reporting and Actionable Insights: A comprehensive final report will summarize key findings and actionable plans, shared with participating businesses and stakeholders.

How We Will Conduct This Project

To ensure we gather accurate and useful information, we will:

  • Schedule in-person site visits with each business to conduct the survey. 
  • In some cases, surveys may be sent for self-completion or conducted over the phone.

Project Timeline: 

Fall 2024/Winter 2025 - Conduct Interviews 

Winter 2025 - Data Analysis 

Spring 2025 - Develop Goals & Action Plans 

Spring 2025 Final Reporting 

Project Partners/Team

The BR+E initiative will be led by the Economic Development Staff, who will act as Project Lead and BR+E Coordinator.

We look forward to working closely with all businesses in the automation and robotics sector to make Cambridge a thriving hub of innovation and economic growth.

If you are a business in this sector, we would love to hear from you! 

Thank you for your participation and support!

For more information or to get involved, please contact Laura Pearce.

 

 Frequently Asked Questions 

Why is the City of Cambridge focusing specifically on the automation and robotics cluster?
The automation and robotics sector has been identified as a key cluster due to its significant potential for growth and economic impact. By focusing on this cluster, we aim to address its unique needs, support its development, and leverage its strengths to boost local economic growth and job creation.
What is the purpose of the Automation and Robotics BR+E Plan?
The plan aims to understand the needs and challenges of automation and robotics businesses, enhance their growth, strengthen business-government relationships, attract investment and inform policy and planning.
How will participating businesses benefit from this project?
Businesses will gain targeted support, better understand the cluster and supply chain in Cambridge and the Region of Waterloo, establish stronger government relationships, and potentially attract new investments and opportunities.
How will the data from the survey be used?
The data will help identify business needs, improve local policies, and create strategies to support and grow the automation and robotics sector.
What happens if my business is unable to complete the survey in person?
 If an in-person visit isn’t possible, the survey can be completed via email or over the phone.
Will the survey results be confidential? 
Yes, all survey responses will be aggregated therefore specific responses will be kept confidential and used only for the purposes of the BR+E Plan.
How will the findings be shared with participants?
A comprehensive final report summarizing the key findings and actionable plans will be shared with all interested participating businesses and stakeholders.
What are the next steps after the survey?
Following the survey, data will be analyzed, goals and action plans will be developed, and a final report will be presented in Spring 2025.