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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7A - Business Retention Survey Results PRIOR LAKE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AGENDA ITEM: SUBJECT: PRESENTER: DATE: INTRODUCTION: .. REVIEWED BY: 7A PRELIMINARY COMMENTS ABOUT BUSINESS RETENTION SURVEY RESULTS JANE KANSIER, PLANNING COORDINATOR OCTOBER 18, 1999 During the last two months, the Economic Development Authority members have been surveying about 50 Prior Lake area businesses about their plans for expansion and growth. According to the schedule approved by the EDA members, the survey results are to be tabulated and discussed by the EDA at an upcoming workshop. While the tabulation is not yet complete, the subcommittee consisting of Commissioners Pete Schenck and Dick Underferth will provide some preliminary comments about the survey results at the October 18th meeting. -;;wj ~?-2r d vA- '. ,JOV. I~. -- f4 · t~A - ff (~t? rrl1 ~ W~~n OJ\oOWr U99FILES\99EDAIREPORTS\7AI 01 899.00c ~ Y V'\ ()v ~ I' I.) 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER // Preliminary City of Prior Lake EDA Survey Results Before beginning, I want to emphasize that this discussionis merely a preliminary discussion of the results from surveys currently on hand. There are still more to be completed which will have an influence on final survey results. Once all surveys have been returned, a more in-depth report will be forthcoming. . Surveyors had some difficulty in conducting the interviews and/or acquiring completed survey results due to the busy schedules of both the surveyors as well as the business owners/managers. This indicates a positive trend in the nature of business being conducted in Prior Lake today. . Many surveys commented that this was good to have contacted them and to be recognized as an important entity in the City. Some commented that now that the initial step has been taken the City should continue the effort and let the public no more about the services and products offered within the City of Prior Lake. . While 50 surveys were distributed and re-distributed, the end result may only consist of between 43 - 46 due to a variety of reasons through no fault of the EDA or City Staff. . Every business, except one, that responded to the question of whether additional hiring was anticipated or not answered in the affirmative or stability in staffing. The one that noted a decrease noted it in an un-skilled position but anticipated hiring between two and three in skilled positions. . All business that responded to another question also noted that there was a very short labor market and that it is extremely difficult to add additional, qualified staff at this time. Many noted that lack of available affordable housing in the City. ." . Many businesses reported they anticipate expanding within the next year to three years but also noted a lack of commercial land in the City as well as a lack of available office space. Office space appears to be a very critical factor in maintaining our current business base as well as attracting new businesses. . The Internet and computer technologies were very important factors in determining in which direction the business future will take them. . A few comments cited the City as lacking a progressive vision of the future, which inhibits business expansion or attraction. Image becomes an important factor to many especially, in regards to downtown re-development plans and Priordale Mall. Other comments advised the City to improve its physical image as well as its business image. None of the surveys indicated that the current condition of downtown was acceptable as it stands today. It was also cited that the City, County and State must recognize the roadway configuration at State Hwy 13 and Scott County 23 as a potential site for future commercial expansion. This area was also noted in interviews as an area that needs help in road design for the current businesses. After tabulating this preliminary survey result, it became obvious that this survey must be conducted again within three years and with questions that permit an easier crosstie analysis of the answers received. It became difficult to analysis why responses may have been the way they were as the names of the businesses were purposely removed from the returned surveys. I would also recommend that the Preliminary . City of Prior Lake EDA Survey Results survey be conducted in the fall or winter of 2002, as this appears to be a better time to schedule interview appointments. There weren't any shocking details in the surveys received so far. The lack of commercial land, . lack of available emolovees and lack of business space are all factors that we have been dealing with for many years. As soon as the remaining results are returned and tabulated, a greater in depth report will be submitted to the EDA and City Council. .'! JIl'. 11"'. .v;;m;;.Jt '~,' '2 ]11' :..",..~~,: _!!","1i"'~ '" '~- l""', .....""!" ~'___IO_' '" ';lr1' ., ~". !I'~ ~~','I.T~I',1,.\I'II'T'il,I,I~U~3.' T ..... """'" ."