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Survey Focuses On Hidden Professionals

Jun 29, 2018 | 6:53 AM

The City of Vernon is trying to gt a handle on how many hidden professionals are working in the city

Those are business people — some who export their services elsewhere — who operate in non-traditional office spaces such as their homes.

The city’s economic development manager Kevin Poole says they hope to get a better idea of their long term needs.

“The goal is, especially from a municipal taxation perspective and the vacancy rate, is to support the move, build the business out of the home into commercial space, and into office space.”

Poole says the city is working with a consultant from Urban Systems on the $5,000 study.

“We want to get a better understanding of what their needs are longer term, and if they’re looking to relocate out of their house, or as we’re calling it, the un-traditional office space, into something more traditional.”

Councillor Brian Quiring at first questioned the need for the survey, until hearing more details from Poole.

“There is still kind of a glut of office space for rent in the downtown, like second story space. There is a lot,” said Quiring.

Pictured: Kevin Poole