town of farmington economic development commission business survey presented to: july 20, 2010
TRANSCRIPT
Town of Farmington Economic Development CommissionBusiness Survey
Presented to:July 20, 2010
Background Information
3
Study Objectives
To determine and quantify satisfaction with EDC solutions to business challenges
To understand current business perspectives in ways that are:• Timely• Scientific/Generalizable• Actionable
To gather open and honest feedback using an independent third-party on topics such as:
• Business satisfaction with Town’s business related policies• Participation in Town sponsored/endorsed offerings and events
To guide strategic planning and other decision-making
To fulfill a request of the Town Council from the 2009 joint meeting
4
Survey Methodology
Mode: Telephone Survey
Population: Businesses located in the Town of Farmington (2,022)
Completes: 155 (margin of error 7.57%)
Length: Approximately 10 minutes
Dates: May 5 – May 14, 2010
Executive Summary
6
Executive Summary: Key Findings
The 3-5 year businesses outlook is very good, with one-third (34%) planning to increase their employment and half (56%) staying the same
Most businesses (86%) are planning on staying in Town for at least the next 3-5 years
Most businesses in town are small (revenue below $1M)
Overall, businesses have a very high rating of the Town, as more than three-quarters (76%) rate the Town image as “Excellent” or “Good”
Businesses are not aware of Town-offered Business Services
7
Executive Summary: Recommendations
• Town Service Offerings• Traffic Updates• Market Town
Communication to Businesses
• Coordinate with Library• Provide Business Resources
Consolidate Information
Survey Population Overview
9
Business Types
Professional Service
Other Service
Restaurant
Construction
Financial Service
Insurance
Real Estate
Retail
High Tech
Medical
26%
10%
6%
6%
5%
5%
5%
5%
5%
5%
There is not an overabundance of any particular business type in Farmington
More than one quarter (26%) of Town businesses conduct Professional Services
Q4. What type of business do you conduct?
Automotive
Manufacturing
Commercial
Industrial
Non-Profit
Distribution
Office
Wholesale
Bio-Tech
Something Else
4%
4%
3%
3%
3%
2%
1%
1%
1%
3%
10
Tenure in Farmington
The average number of years that businesses have been in Farmington is:
21.5 years
Other CT Town
Glastonbury
Avon
New Britain
Bristol
Out of State
Hartford
West Hartford
Always been in Farmington
8%
2%
3%
3%
3%
3%
5%
7%
65%
From Where Did Your Company Move?
Q1. How long have you been in business in Farmington? Q2. From where did your company move?
11
Most of the businesses had revenue under $1Million in 2009
Business Revenue Size
<$1Milli
on
$1Milli
on - $5M
illion
$5Milli
on - $10M
illion
$10Milli
on +
60%
16%
3% 3%
2009 Gross Revenue
Q8. In which of the following categories were your gross revenues in 2009?
12
Reasons Companies Choose to Locate in Farmington
Home-Based Business
Thriving Business Culture
Location (general)
Availability of Commercial Buildings/Land
Live in Town
Quality of life
6%
8%
8%
10%
17%
18%
Companies value the high “Quality of Life” they find in Farmington
With the Town’s many home-based businesses as a contributing factor, a sizable group is located in Farmington because they “Live in Town”
Q3. Why did your company choose to locate in Farmington?
Other
Workforce
Access to Highways
Always Been Here
Close to Similar/Service Business
Customer Base
13%
2%
3%
4%
5%
5%
13
Most businesses report that they are planning on staying in Farmington
• Those who are staying are not planning on changing facilities
• Half of the companies not staying in Farmington are moving away or retiring
3-5 Year Outlook of Staying in Town
No
Yes
8%
86%
Staying in Farmington
Yes No
14%
81%
Purchase, Lease or Construct New Facilities
Other (SPECIFY)
Cost of Land/Buildings
Availability of Land/Buildings
Moving Away/Retiring
17%
17%
17%
50%
Reasons Not Staying in Farmington
Q9. In the next 3 to 5 years, is your business planning on staying in Farmington?Q10a. Is your company planning to purchase, lease or construct new facilities in Town?; Q10b. Why not?
14
Facility Own vs. Lease
Own50%
Lease48%
Business are evenly split between owning and leasing their facility
Q5. Do you own or lease your facility?
15
The average number of people employed by a town business is:
One-third of Farmington businesses project their employment needs to increase in the next few years
• Another half expect stable employment
Employees & Future Employment Needs
Full-Time: 15.4Part-Time: 6.5
Q6. How many people are employed with your company at this location (in Farmington)? ** Outlier of 5,000FT and 2,000PT removed for this calculationQ7. In the next few years, do you project your employment needs at this location to increase, decrease or stay the same?
Decrease
Stay the Same
Increase
8%
56%
34%
Town Evaluation
17
Town Rating
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't Know
43%
33%
19%
0%
5%
Most businesses have a very high image of the Town, as three-quarters rate the Town as “Excellent” or “Good” from a business perspective
No business rates the Town as “Poor”
Q11. From a business perspective, how would you rate the Town of Farmington’s overall image? Excellent, good, fair or poor?
18
Best Things About Being Located in Town
23% - Quality of Life
18% - Location (general)
9% - Highway Access
Businesses think that the high “Quality of Life” available is the best thing about having their business in Town
• Continual focus on this high quality of life will keep businesses satisfied with the Town and will help to attract more businesses to Town
“Location” and “Highway Access” are also highly rated
Q17. What are the BEST things about having your business located in the Town of Farmington?
19
Worst Things About Being Located in Town
14% - Traffic
4% - Town/Govt. Lack of Support
Half of all businesses report that there is “Nothing” negative about being located in Town
For those who mention anything negative, “Traffic” is reported to be the worst thing about having their business located in Town
• Communication campaigns to update businesses on road construction and any traffic improvements would be well received
Q18. Are there any negative aspects about having your business located in the Town of Farmington?
55% - NOTHING
20
Contributions of Town Elements – “A” or “B” Rating
Impact of land use regulations on my business
Availability of commercial real estate
Accessibility of regulatory process items
Skilled workforce
Responsiveness of town government
Overall location giving my company a competitive advantage
Accessibility of town staff
24%
24%
29%
38%
52%
57%
67%
“Accessibility of Town Staff” as a contribution of Town businesses is very highly graded
“Overall Location” and the “Responsiveness of Town Government” are also given highly positive ratings
Q12. Please grade the Town on each of the following elements as they contribute to your business…
21
Contributions of Town Elements – Rated “Don’t Know”
Accessibility of town staff
Overall location giving my company a competitive advantage
Responsiveness of town government
Skilled workforce
Accessibility of regulatory process items
Impact of land use regulations on my business
Availability of commercial real estate
14%
24%
29%
33%
43%
48%
48%
Town Elements which do not contribute to Town businesses include the “Availability of Commercial Real Estate” and the “Impact of Land Use Regulations”, as respondents were not familiar with these elements to give them any grade
Q12. Please grade the Town on each of the following elements as they contribute to your business…
22
Community Services – “A” or “B” Rating
Business Support Services through EDC
Business Support Services at Library
Higher Education
Financial Institutions
Health Care Facilities
Public Schools
37%
46%
64%
65%
68%
68%
“Public Schools” and “Health Care Facilities” are the most highly rated community services in Town, followed closely by “Financial Institutions” and “Higher Education”
Q13. Based on the following community services, please grade Farmington as a place for your company to do business…
23
Community Services – Rated “Don’t Know”
Financial Institutions
Health Care Facilities
Higher Education
Public Schools
Business Support Services at Library
Business Support Services through EDC
14%
16%
22%
23%
34%
34%
One-third of businesses do not know about “Business Services” offered by either the EDC or at the Library
Q13. Based on the following community services, please grade Farmington as a place for your company to do business…
24
Town Services Which Make Company More Competitive
Three quarters of businesses report that they are unaware of any services offered by the Town which would help make their company more competitive
Over one-third report that they do not need any programs or services to help their company be more competitive
• Another 22% “Don’t Know” of any services that would help
75% Unaware of Programs/Services
35% No Needed
Services
Q14. What programs or services does the Town of Farmington offer to help make your company more competitive? Q15. What additional programs or services should the Town of Farmington offer to help make your company more competitive?
25Services Which Help Company Be More Competitive – Top Mentions
Work with local groups (eg. Chamber, Rotary, Unionville Village Improvement Association, etc.) to support and promote local business (4%)
Advise Town Council on economic development policy and issues (3%)
Liaison between Town government and local business community (3%)
Economic Development Commission (3%)
Communicate with local businesses (Quarterly E-News, websites, etc.) (2%)
Provide networking opportunities with local businesses (2%)
Q14. What programs or services does the Town of Farmington offer to help make your company more competitive?
26Additional Programs or Services the Town Should Offer – Top Mentions
Offer Tax Breaks/Incentives (8%)
Market Town (5%)
Provide networking opportunities with local businesses (3%)
Change Signage Regulation (3%)
Help locate available commercial land and buildings/facilitate between real estate broker and prospective business (3%)
Q15. What additional programs or services should the Town of Farmington offer to help make your company more competitive?
27
Other Types of Businesses/Services Needed
Don't know
None
Something else
Restaurant
Printing
Other like companies (eg insurance or manufacturing)
Suppliers
33%
30%
11%
1%
3%
3%
21%
Q16. What other types of business or business services does your business need but are not located in town?
“Suppliers” are the most requested type of business
Most businesses (63%) either do not know or do not think any other types of businesses or business services are needed in Town
28
Additional Feedback
Something Else
Signage/Regulatory Issues
Don't know
Tax Issues
Transportation Issues
Doing a Good Job/Keep doing what they are doing
No
15%
1%
1%
2%
4%
8%
68%
Businesses with feedback think the Town is doing a good job and should keep doing what they are doing
Most do not have any additional feedback
Q19. Is there any other feedback or comments you wish to give to the Town's Economic Development Commission?
Appendix
30
Location Gives Company Competitive Advantage
A B C D F Don't know
33%
24%
10%
0%
10%
24%
More than half (57% A-B) of businesses feel that the “Overall Location Gives My Company a Competitive Advantage”
One quarter feel the overall location does not impact their “Competitive Advantage” at all
Q12a. Please grade the Town on each of the following elements as they contribute to your business…Overall location giving my company a competitive advantage
31
Skilled Workforce
A B C D F Don't know
10%
29%
19%
5% 5%
33%
The “Skilled Workforce” available in Farmington is rated with a “B” or a “C” by most businesses
This finding is consistent with State-wide Skilled Workforce concerns
One-third say that the “Skilled Workforce” does not impact their business
Q12b. Please grade the Town on each of the following elements as they contribute to your business…Skilled workforce
32
Availability of Commercial Real Estate
A B C D F Don't know
14%10%
14%10%
5%
48%
Almost half of businesses do not see the “Availability of Commercial Real Estate” as having any impact on their business
• This is likely a reflection of the large number of home-based businesses as well as the general locational stability of Town businesses
Q12c. Please grade the Town on each of the following elements as they contribute to your business…Availability of commercial real estate
33
Impact of Land Use Regulations
A B C D F Don't know
5%
19%
10%5%
14%
48%
“Land Use Regulations” do not impact about half of all businesses
Those who are impacted grade these Regulations as a “B” (19%)
Another 14% grade “Land Use Regulations” as an “F”
Q12d. Please grade the Town on each of the following elements as they contribute to your business…Impact of land use regulations on my business
34
Accessibility of Regulatory Process Items
A B C D F Don't know
14% 14% 14%
0%
14%
43%
As with Land Use Regulations, the “Accessibility of the Regulatory Process” does not contribute to four-in-ten businesses
Q12e. Please grade the Town on each of the following elements as they contribute to your business…Accessibility of regulatory process items
35
Accessibility of Town Staff
A B C D F Don't know
48%
19%
0%5%
14% 14%
“Town Staff” are seen as very Accessible, with about half grading “Accessibility” as an “A”
Q12f. Please grade the Town on each of the following elements as they contribute to your business…Accessibility of town staff
36
Responsiveness of Town Government
A B C D F Don't know
29%
24%
5%
0%
14%
29%
“Town Government” is seen as very “Responsive”, with more than half awarding an “A” or “B” grade
One-in-three does not feel that the “Responsiveness of Town Government” impacts their business
Q12g. Please grade the Town on each of the following elements as they contribute to your business…Responsiveness of town government
37
Public Schools
A B C D F Don't know
51%
17%
5%1% 3%
23%
The “Public Schools” in Farmington are very highly rated by Town businesses, with more than two-thirds rating them as “A” or “B”
Q13a. Based on the following community services, please grade Farmington as a place for your company to do business…Public Schools
38
Higher Education
A B C D F Don't know
41%
23%
11%
1% 2%
22%
As with Public Schools, “Higher Education” is also appreciated by Town businesses
Q13b. Based on the following community services, please grade Farmington as a place for your company to do business…Higher Education
39
Financial Institutions
A B C D F Don't know
40%
25%
14%
6%
2%
14%
Two-thirds of Town businesses rate “Financial Institutions” highly
Q13c. Based on the following community services, please grade Farmington as a place for your company to do business…Financial Institutions
40
Business Support Services at the Library
A B C D F Don't know
28%
18%
13%
3% 4%
34%
About one-third of businesses do not know about the “Business Support Services at the Library”
Those who do know rate these Services highly, with over one-quarter awarding an “A” grade
Q13d. Based on the following community services, please grade Farmington as a place for your company to do business…Business Support Services at the Library
41
Business Support Services through the EDC
A B C D F Don't know
19% 19%
14%
8%6%
34%
“Business Support Services Provided by the EDC” are unknown by one-third of businesses
Another 40% rate these Services as an “A” or “B”
Q13e. Based on the following community services, please grade Farmington as a place for your company to do business…Business Support Services through Economic Development Commission
42
Health Care Facilities
A B C D F Don't know
46%
21%
10%
2%4%
16%
“Health Care Facilities” are highly graded by about half of Town businesses
Q13f. Based on the following community services, please grade Farmington as a place for your company to do business…Health Care Facilities
43
Survey Population Overview
Business Type %
Uncategorized * 56.1
Home BIZ 22.6
UCHC 9.0
West Farms 4.5
Insurance 3.2
Manufacturing 1.9
Unionville 1.3
Commercial Real Estate 0.6
Major Employers 0.6
Based on the sample list provided by the EDC, the following types of businesses participated in the survey:
* Uncategorized businesses include all businesses that have registered with the Town Clerk since 2008 and any business that has registered for an Economic Development event and/or newsletter since 2009