Strongsville Business Retention and Expansion Survey, 2011
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Transcript of Strongsville Business Retention and Expansion Survey, 2011
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City of Strongsville:Business Retention & Expansion Survey 2011Results
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NEWS RELEASE
August 17, 2011
City of Strongsville
Contact: Mayor Thomas P. Perciak(440) 580-3150
Mayor Thomas Perciak and Councilman Mike Daymut, Chairman of the Economic Development Committee,today announced the completion of the City of Strongsvilles Business Retention & Expansion Survey for
the year 2011.
Working closely with Ohio State Universitys BR&E Initiative, the purpose of the survey was to determine thevalue Strongsville businesses place on available amenities and services, as well as their satisfaction level in
those areas.
In April of 2011, the Strongsville, OH, Economic Development Committee sent the survey to 151 Strongsville
businesses and received 37 completed surveys for a strong return rate of 24.5% (survey response rate of 20% isconsidered very good).
The survey results indicated that 97% of businesses rated the City of Strongsville as a good to excellent
place to do business with 95% rating the overall quality of life in Strongsville as good to excellent. In
addition, 100% of respondents would recommend another business to locate in Strongsville.
The evaluation of City services and community amenities showed the following:
Strongsville Fire Department (100% of respondents ranked good to excellent) Strongsville Police Department (97%) Ehrnfelt Recreation Center (97%) Shopping (94%) Health Care Services (92%) Snow/Ice Removal (92%) Natural Gas Services (92%) Air Cargo/Shipping (89%) Street & Sidewalk Cleaning (89%) Business Services (89%) Strongsville School System (86%) Childcare Services (83%) Air Service (83%)
Local Roads & Freeway Access (81%) Water & Sewers (81%)
In addition, the respondents rated the following Development and Approval services as good to excellent:
Overall Development and Approval Process (81%) Plan Review (81%) Communication between the City and Business Owners (86%) The Department of Economic Development (94%)
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The following factors ranked highest for the reasons why respondents companies located in Strongsville:
Proximity to Freeways (22%) Proximity to Home (14%) Access to Customers (10.6%) Workforce Availability (9%) Local Officials (8%) Quality of Life (6%)
The BR&E Survey also revealed that the business community within Strongsville expects continued
growth. Of the companies who completed the survey, over the next three years:
70.3% expect an increase in their Number of Customers 78% expect an increase in Total Revenue 68% expect an increase in Profits 64% expect an increase in their Total Number of Employees with no respondents indicating a
reduction of employees
David Civittolo, County Extension Director for Ohio State Universitys BR&EInitiative, adds an experts
insight on Strongsvilles survey process: The Survey results indicate that businesses not only believe inStrongsville, they would strongly encourage new business start-ups to open in the City. Prof Civittolo
continues: Between the high quality of life that residents enjoy and the overwhelming positive support of the
business community, it is quite evident that Strongsville is a community destination for others to consider.
Copies of the survey results will be available to the public on the Citys website atwww.strongsville.orgor
through the City of Strongsvilles Economic Development Departmentat (please [email protected] ). The results of the survey have been presented for review to Strongsville City
Council and to the Strongsville Board of Education.
Quality of Life Survey Task ForceThomas P. Perciak, Mayor
Richard L. Pinkerton, PhD., Taskforce Chair & Professor Emeritus, Calif. State Univ., FresnoMichael J. Daymut, Co-Chair, Council President, Ward One
Rea Cantwell, Executive Director, Strongsville Chamber of CommerceGreg Davis, Director, Ohio BR&E Program, Ohio State University
David Civittolo, County Extension Director, Ohio State UniversityBrent Painter, Manager of Economic Development, City of Strongsville
The Reverend Ron Mowry, Pastor, Strongsville United Methodist ChurchBarry R. Zimmerman, Executive Vice President, Edgerton, Corp.
http://www.strongsville.org/http://www.strongsville.org/http://www.strongsville.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.strongsville.org/ -
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Survey Overview
Instructions Provided To Respondents
Answer only those questions with which you feel comfortable. If you require assistance please contact BrentPainter, Manager of Economic Development, City of Strongsville at (440) 580-3118 or via email at
Respondent Metrics
2011
Businesses Surveyed: 151
Respondents: 37Online Responses: 21
Hardcopy Responses: 16
First Response: 4/29/2011 06:21 PMLast Response: 6/30/2011 09:22 AM
Response Rate: 24.5%
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
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Survey ResultsThe following is a tabular depiction of the responses to each survey question. Additional comments provided by
respondents, if any, are included after each table.
Section - A - LOCAL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
1. What is your overall opinion of the City of Strongsville as a place to do business?
51.4% 19 Excellent
45.9% 17 Good2.7% 1 Average
2. What are your top three (3) reasons for locating or keeping your business in Strongsville?
22.1% 25 Proximity to freeways14.2% 16 Proximity to home
10.6% 12 Access to my customers8.8% 10 Workforce availability
8.0% 9 Local officials6.2% 7 Quality of life
5.3% 6 Financial incentives4.4% 5 Access to airport
4.4% 5 Safety services3.5% 4 Access to my suppliers
2.7% 3 Cost of doing business2.7% 3 Quality of housing
1.8% 2 Access to business support services (e.g., printing, advertising, financial services, hotels, etc.)1.8% 2 Access to downtown Cleveland
1.8% 2 Other:1.8% 2 Recreation facilities/entertainment
3. Would you recommend another business to locate in Strongsville?
100% 37 Yes
4. If no, why not?
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Section - Please indicate whether you believe the cost of doing business in Strongsville is
high, acceptable, or low.
5. Land costs
75.0% 27 Acceptable25.0% 9 High
6. Building costs (rent)
79.4% 27 Acceptable17.6% 6 High
2.9% 1 Low
7. Natural gas aggregation
90.9% 30 Acceptable
9.1% 3 High
8. Electrical aggregation
84.8% 28 Acceptable
15.2% 5 High
9. Labor costs
88.9% 32 Acceptable8.3% 3 High
2.8% 1 Low
10. Health care insurance
55.9% 19 High
44.1% 15 Acceptable
11. Workers compensation
71.4% 25 Acceptable28.6% 10 High
12. Real estate property taxes
54.3% 19 Acceptable45.7% 16 High
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13. City income taxes
68.6% 24 Acceptable
31.4% 11 High
14. Payroll taxes
69.7% 23 Acceptable30.3% 10 High
15. Sales tax
61.8% 21 Acceptable38.2% 13 High
16. Internet/Telecom
82.4% 28 Acceptable14.7% 5 High
2.9% 1 Low
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Section - From your perspective as a businessperson, please rate the following
WORKFORCE-RELATED amenities and services.
23. Pedestrian walkways
63.9% 23 Good22.2% 8 Average
11.1% 4 Excellent2.8% 1 Poor
24. Public transportation
36.1% 13 Average
30.6% 11 Good16.7% 6 Excellent
16.7% 6 Poor
25. Air service
45.7% 16 Good
37.1% 13 Excellent17.1% 6 Average
26. Health care services (EMS, hospitals, clinics)
48.6% 18 Excellent
43.2% 16 Good5.4% 2 Average2.7% 1 Poor
27. School system
45.9% 17 Excellent
40.5% 15 Good10.8% 4 Average
2.7% 1 Very Poor
28. Child care services
62.9% 22 Good
20.0% 7 Excellent17.1% 6 Average
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29. Restaurants
43.2% 16 Good
32.4% 12 Excellent24.3% 9 Average
30. Professional services
51.4% 19 Good24.3% 9 Average
24.3% 9 Excellent
31. Shopping
54.3% 19 Excellent40.0% 14 Good
5.7% 2 Average
32. Recreation center
61.1% 22 Excellent
36.1% 13 Good2.8% 1 Average
33. Cultural activities/entertainment
44.1% 15 Good23.5% 8 Excellent
20.6% 7 Average11.8% 4 Poor
34. Air Cargo/Shipping
58.3% 21 Good
30.6% 11 Excellent
11.1% 4 Average
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Section - From your perspective as a businessperson, please rate these other amenities
and services.
35. Snow and ice removal
58.3% 21 Good33.3% 12 Excellent
5.6% 2 Average2.8% 1 Poor
36. Street and sidewalk cleaning
57.1% 20 Good
31.4% 11 Excellent8.6% 3 Average
2.9% 1 Poor
37. Street repairs
36.1% 13 Good
30.6% 11 Average22.2% 8 Excellent
11.1% 4 Poor
38. Rubbish collection
52.9% 18 Good23.5% 8 Average23.5% 8 Excellent
39. Fire protection
54.3% 19 Good
45.7% 16 Excellent
40. Police protection
50.0% 18 Good
47.2% 17 Excellent2.8% 1 Poor
41. Business services
61.1% 22 Good27.8% 10 Excellent
11.1% 4 Average
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42. Hotel facilities
55.6% 20 Good25.0% 9 Average
11.1% 4 Excellent5.6% 2 Poor
2.8% 1 Very Poor
43. Conference facilities
47.2% 17 Good
30.6% 11 Average16.7% 6 Excellent
5.6% 2 Poor
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Section - DEVELOPMENT & APPROVAL PROCESS
44. Has your company constructed or leased a building that required the approval of the
City's Building Review and/or Planning process?
62.2% 23 Yes37.8% 14 No
Section - If yes, how would you rate the City's development and approval processes?
45. Overall process
57.1% 12 Good
23.8% 5 Excellent9.5% 2 Average
4.8% 1 Poor4.8% 1 Very Poor
46. Plan review
57.1% 12 Good
23.8% 5 Excellent9.5% 2 Average
4.8% 1 Poor
4.8% 1 Very Poor
47. Zoning regulations
57.1% 12 Good19.0% 4 Excellent
9.5% 2 Average9.5% 2 Poor
4.8% 1 Very Poor
48. Building codes
55.0% 11 Good25.0% 5 Excellent
10.0% 2 Average5.0% 1 Poor
5.0% 1 Very Poor
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49. Planning Commission approval
55.0% 11 Good
25.0% 5 Excellent15.0% 3 Average
5.0% 1 Poor
50. Engineering approval
57.9% 11 Good
21.1% 4 Excellent15.8% 3 Average
5.3% 1 Poor
51. Architectural approval
52.6% 10 Good
21.1% 4 Average21.1% 4 Excellent
5.3% 1 Poor
52. Fire Department approval
45.0% 9 Good35.0% 7 Excellent
10.0% 2 Average10.0% 2 Poor
53. City Council approval
57.9% 11 Good21.1% 4 Average
21.1% 4 Excellent
54. Building Permit approval
50.0% 10 Good
25.0% 5 Excellent
10.0% 2 Average10.0% 2 Poor
5.0% 1 Very Poor
55. Communication between the City and business owners
52.4% 11 Good33.3% 7 Excellent
9.5% 2 Average4.8% 1 Very Poor
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56. Department of Economic Development
50.0% 9 Excellent
44.4% 8 Good5.6% 1 Average
Section - Please note any additional comments.
57. Comments.
To protect the privacy of respondents, comments omitted from report.
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Section - B - EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING
58. How many employees work at your Strongsville business location?
33.3% 12 21-50
27.8% 10 11-2013.9% 5 51-100
13.9% 5 More than 10011.1% 4 Fewer than 10
Section - How would you rate the regional MANAGEMENT and STAFF workforce (labor
pool)?
59. Quality (i.e, necessary skills & work ethic)
54.1% 20 Good
27.0% 10 Average18.9% 7 Excellent
60. Quantity
45.9% 17 Good40.5% 15 Average
13.5% 5 Excellent
61. Availability
43.2% 16 Good37.8% 14 Average
16.2% 6 Excellent2.7% 1 Poor
62. Stability
43.2% 16 Good29.7% 11 Average
27.0% 10 Excellent
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Section - How would you rate the regional LABOR FORCE (labor pool)?
63. Quality (i.e., necessary skills & work ethic)
67.6% 25 Good
21.6% 8 Average8.1% 3 Excellent
2.7% 1 Poor
64. Quantity
56.8% 21 Good29.7% 11 Average
8.1% 3 Excellent5.4% 2 Poor
65. Availability
59.5% 22 Good29.7% 11 Average
8.1% 3 Excellent2.7% 1 Poor
66. Stability
56.8% 21 Good
29.7% 11 Average13.5% 5 Excellent
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Section - TRAINING
67. Please check the areas in which your current Strongsville employees need training.
24.2% 16 Current employees do not need training
15.2% 10 Computer skills (word-processing, database management, computer system installation/maintenance, etc.)12.1% 8 Customer service skills (interpersonal communications, product knowledge, etc.)
12.1% 8 Professional skills (sales, marketing, accounting, etc.)9.1% 6 Equipment operation skills
7.6% 5 General skills (basic math, reading/writing, problem solving, etc.)6.1% 4 Managerial skills (finance, business planning, employee management/relations, etc.)
6.1% 4 Mechanical skills6.1% 4 Other technical skills
1.5% 1 Other:
68. Please check the three (3) most preferred formats for employee training by outsideproviders.
20.9% 18 Partial day workshop19.8% 17 Web-based (online) training
15.1% 13 Customized on-site training12.8% 11 One-day seminar
11.6% 10 Programs offered by local colleges/universities8.1% 7 Self-study printed material
7.0% 6 Customized off-site training2.3% 2 Series of weekly classes
1.2% 1 Multi-day conference
1.2% 1 Series of daily classes
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Section - C - FUTURE PLANS
69. Do you have any plans to modernize, renovate, or expand your business?
75.7% 28 No
24.3% 9 Yes
70. If yes, what kind of modernization, renovation, or expansion are you considering?
26.9% 7 Warehouse space23.1% 6 Office space
15.4% 4 Parking area11.5% 3 Expansion into adjacent space
11.5% 3 Manufacturing/production space7.7% 2 Adding another department, division or business
3.8% 1 Expansion by acquisition
71. When would the work be started?
40.0% 4 Between 7 - 12 months
20.0% 2 Between 1 - 3 years20.0% 2 More than 3 years
20.0% 2 Within 6 months
72. Do you face any constraints?
31.3% 5 No constraints18.8% 3 Insufficient space in existing building12.5% 2 Need physical facility planning assistance
12.5% 2 Parking issues6.3% 1 Need financial assistance
6.3% 1 Need information on city and/or state tax incentives6.3% 1 Not enough land for expansion
6.3% 1 Zoning and building regulations
73. Are you considering opening another facility (e.g., branch plant, office, division,
corporate headquarters, etc.)?80.6% 29 No
19.4% 7 Yes
74. If yes, when?
42.9% 3 Between 1 - 3 years28.6% 2 Between 7 - 12 months
14.3% 1 More than 3 years14.3% 1 Within 6 months
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75. If yes, where?
50.0% 4 Outside Ohio, but in U.S.37.5% 3 Elsewhere in Strongsville
12.5% 1 Outside U.S.
76. If you are expanding in Strongsville, do you face any constraints?
22.2% 2 No constraints
11.1% 1 Insufficient space in existing building11.1% 1 Need information on city and/or state tax incentives
11.1% 1 Need physical facility planning assistance11.1% 1 Not enough land for expansion
11.1% 1 Other:11.1% 1 Parking issues
11.1% 1 Zoning and building regulations
77. Are you considering moving, closing, or selling this business?
97.1% 34 None of the above
2.9% 1 Considering selling
78. If you are considering moving, where would you move?
66.7% 2 Outside Cuyahoga County, but in Ohio
33.3% 1 Elsewhere in Cuyahoga County
79. If you are considering moving, why?100% 1 High taxes
80. When would you move, close, or sell this business?
50.0% 2 Between 1 - 3 years
50.0% 2 More than 3 years
81. What impact would your plans for modernization, renovation, expansion, moving,
closing, or selling have on the number of employees in your Strongsville location?
56.0% 14 No change
40.0% 10 Adds employees4.0% 1 Reduces employees
82. About how many employees would be added?
To protect the privacy of respondents, comments omitted from report.
83. About how many employees would be reduced?
To protect the privacy of respondents, comments omitted from report.
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Section - D - GENERAL INFORMATION
84. What is your company's PRIMARY geographic market?
36.1% 13 National
25.0% 9 Northeast Ohio16.7% 6 International
16.7% 6 Statewide5.6% 2 Local
85. Which of the following best describes your position with your company?
35.1% 13 CEO/President/Managing Director
35.1% 13 Owner8.1% 3 General Manager/Manager
8.1% 3 Operations VP or Director
5.4% 2 COO, CFO, CIO, or CTO5.4% 2 Sales/Marketing VP or Director2.7% 1 Other:
86. How long has this business been operating at your current location?
30.6% 11 More than 20 years27.8% 10 6 - 10 years
22.2% 8 11 - 20 years19.4% 7 1 - 5 years
87. Which of the following best describes your business?
47.8% 22 Private
23.9% 11 Family-owned8.7% 4 Branch office of multi-unit firm
8.7% 4 Publicly held (stock)4.3% 2 Employee-owned
2.2% 1 Foreign-owned2.2% 1 Headquarters of multi-unit firm
2.2% 1 Other:
88. What is the PRIMARY type of your business?45.9% 17 Industrial/manufacturing
29.7% 11 Other:10.8% 4 Office
10.8% 4 Warehouse2.7% 1 Research and development
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89. What is the North American Industry Classification code (NAICS), formerly the SIC code,
for your business?
To protect the privacy of respondents, comments omitted from report.
90. What is the square footage of your operations in Strongsville?
48.6% 18 10,000 - 50,000 SF
21.6% 8 Less than 10,000 SF13.5% 5 50,000 - 100,000 SF8.1% 3 100,000 - 150,000 SF
5.4% 2 Over 200,000 SF2.7% 1 150,000 - 200,000 SF
91. Do you own or lease your space?
67.6% 25 Own
32.4% 12 Lease
92. Have you renewed your lease at least once since establishing business in this location?
63.6% 7 No36.4% 4 Yes
93. If yes, why?
23.1% 3 Location23.1% 3 Price
15.4% 2 Other:15.4% 2 Quality of space
7.7% 1 Amenities7.7% 1 Local community
7.7% 1 Terms
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Section - Over the next three (3) years, do you think the following business factors will
increase, stay the same, or decline?
94. Number of customers
70.3% 26 Increase27.0% 10 Stay the Same
2.7% 1 Decline
95. Sales - Total revenue
78.4% 29 Increase21.6% 8 Stay the Same
96. Profits
67.6% 25 Increase29.7% 11 Stay the Same
2.7% 1 Decline
97. Number of employees
63.9% 23 Increase
36.1% 13 Stay the Same
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Section - If you expect any of these business factors to increase or decrease, what are the
principal reasons for the changes?
98. Reasons for change:
To protect the privacy of respondents, comments omitted from report.
99. From your perspective as a businessperson, please rate the overall quality of life in the
City of Strongsville.
54.1% 20 Excellent40.5% 15 Good
5.4% 2 Average
100. Do you live in Strongsville?
54.1% 20 No
45.9% 17 Yes
101. Would you like a member of the Business Retention and Expansion team to contact you
personally regarding this survey?
88.9% 32 No11.1% 4 Yes
102. Have you noticed any significant changes that affect how you do business in the City ofStrongsville since the last industrial survey was conducted in 2007?
To protect the privacy of respondents, comments omitted from report.
103. Please describe your IMMEDIATE business needs or concerns that could be addressed
by local government or local private entities.
To protect the privacy of respondents, comments omitted from report.
104. Please describe your LONG-TERM (more than 2 years) business needs or concerns that
could be addressed by local government or local private entities.
To protect the privacy of respondents, comments omitted from report.
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105. How would you like to see the City of Strongsville change in coming years?
To protect the privacy of respondents, comments omitted from report.
106. In the space below, please add any comments, thoughts or suggestions. If you would
like to speak directly to the Economic Development Department please contact BrentPainter at (440) 580-3118.
To protect the privacy of respondents, comments omitted from report.
Section - Thank you for completing this survey. AFTER YOU CLICK THE "SUBMIT YOUR
RESPONSES" BUTTON, YOU WILL BE IMMEDIATELY DIRECTED TO OUR CONFIRMATION
PAGE. This indicates that your responses have been sent over a secure connection to our
server.