by TaLeiza Calloway
news@thenewsleaders.com
The St. Joseph Economic Development Authority wants to hear from local businesses.
Members of the EDA agreed earlier this month to survey 10 local businesses to see how they are doing in town and what’s planned for the future. EDA member and St. Joseph City Council member Steve Frank suggested testing the survey before administering it citywide.
Specifically, the survey seeks to collect information that will help the city get a better sense of business retention and possible areas of growth. The St. Joseph Business Retention Expansion Survey will assist the EDA in four areas. They are: identifying and understanding the local business climate, learning about future plans for businesses, seeking input on future economic development programs and priorities, and allowing the EDA to offer assistance to businesses.
Business owners will be asked to comment on areas that include positive aspects of having a business in St. Joseph, the greatest challenge to operating a business in the city, future business plans and businesses they feel would be beneficial to bring to the city.
Within the next month, members of the EDA and the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce will survey businessowners for feedback before presenting it to all businesses in the city. The sample survey consists of 34 questions.
EDA Consultant Joanne Foust said other cities have used the surveying method to gauge the economic climate of their communities.
“With these tough economic times, cities are trying to keep a pulse on what’s going on in their communities,” Foust said.