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BRE-Long FormEconomic Development Authority (EDA) Business Retention and Expansion Study City of Scandia Complete this questionnaire for local operation only. Date: _______________________________________ Company Name: _______________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Survey Participant: __________________________________ Title: ___________________ Phone: ____________________ E-mail: _________________________________________ Website: ______________________________________________________________________ Name of Corporate Headquarters (if different than above): ______________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ___________________ E-mail: _________________________________________ Website: ______________________________________________________________________ Thank you for participating in the EDA’s Business Retention and Expansion Study. The program is sponsored by the Scandia Economic Development Authority. Objective of the BRES program: To gain an understanding of the business community’s views of the local government and economy. To determine company plans for expansion or relocation. To familiarize business leaders with assistance available through economic development programs. To strengthen the communications bridge between the business community and local government. To establish concrete data to aid strategic planning efforts. I. HISTORY AND STATUS OF PRESENT LOCATION Where is your firm’s corporate headquarters located? Local Elsewhere in Minnesota Out of State: ________ Out of US: __________ Does your firm have multiple locations? Yes No (if No, skip to 6) Where? (Please indicate all that apply). Local Elsewhere in Minnesota Out of State: ________ Out of US: __________ If you have businesses in other area, how does the nature of the business relate to this facility? (Please indicate all that apply). Similar product/service Supply to/support local operation Local operation supplies/supports them Independent business focus What is the likelihood of consolidating operations? Probable Possible Remote Non existent When was your firm established? 0-2 years ago 3-5 years ago 6-10 years ago 11-20 years ago 21-100 years ago Over 100 years ago What form of organization does your business have? Corporation (S or C) Cooperative Partnership Limited Liability Corp. Limited Liability Partnership Sole Proprietorship Other: __________ II. NATURE OF BUSINESS What is the nature of your business? (Numbers must total 100%. Please limit responses to eight selections.) ___% Administration ___% Agriculture ___% Chemical, Petroleum, Rubber, Plastics ___% Communication ___% Computer, Computer Software ___% Construction ___% Consulting ___% Distribution ___% Education ___% Electrical, Electrical Equipment ___% Energy ___% Fabricated Metals ___% Financial/Insurance/Real Estate ___% Food, Food Products ___% Hospitality ___% Lumber, Wood Products ___% Machinery, Excluding Electrical ___% Medical, Health Care ___% Misc. Manufacturing ___% Paper, Allied Products ___% Primary Metals ___% Printing, Publishing ___% Recreation ___% Retail ___% Service ___% Stone, Clay, Glass, Concrete ___% Telemarketing ___% Textiles, Apparel ___% Transportation ___% Waste, Recycling What percent of raw materials/supplies utilized by your business comes from the following area? (Total 100%) ___% Local/County ___% Elsewhere in Minnesota ___% Midwest ___% National ___% International: _________ Please list any suppliers that you would like to have located closer to your facility? Product/Service Company/address What percentages of your raw materials/supplies are transported in the following manner? (Total 100%) ___% Truck ___% Common carrier (US Mail, UPS, Fed-Ex) ___% Rail ___% Air ___% Ship ___% Personal/company vehicle ___% Other: _______________ What percent of your finished products are transported in the following manner? (Total 100%) ___% Truck ___% Common carrier (US Mail, UPS, Fed-Ex) ___% Rail ___% Air ___% Ship ___% Personal/company vehicle ___% Other: _______________ How well do the following modes of transportation serve your business needs? (1=Excellent, 2=Good, 3=Fair, 4=Poor) ___% Truck ___% Common carrier (US Mail, UPS, Fed-Ex) ___% Rail ___% Air ___% Ship ___% Personal/company vehicle ___% Other: _______________ Which of the following factors, if any, have the greatest negative impact on the current/future development of your product or business? (Rank up to four in order of priority: 1=Greatest impact, etc) ___ Global Competition ___ Regulatory Constraints ___ Domestic Competition ___ Energy Costs ___ Material Shortages ___ Antiquated Machinery ___ Insufficient Space ___ Transportation Problems ___ Interest Rates ___ Market Condition/Economy ___ Labor Supply ___ Labor Quality ___ Employee Wage/Benefits ___ Other: _______________ III. PHYSIAL SPECIFICATION OF PLANT Do you own or lease this location? Own (if you own, skip next question) Lease Both If you lease, when does the lease expire? ____ Month ____ Year What is the property size of this location _____ acres How much building space do you occupy at your current location? _____ sq. ft. If you use additional spaces elsewhere in the community for this business, how much? ____ sq. ft. Is car/truck access to your building adequate? Yes No Is there adequate on-site parking for employees? Yes No IV. MARKET, CUSTOMERS What percent of your customers are located in the following areas? (Total 100%) ___% Local/County ___% Elsewhere in Minnesota ___% Midwest ___% National ___% International: __________ What percent of your company’s sales are conducted over the Internet? None Less than 10% 10%-25% 25%-50% 50%-75% More than 75% How would you describe the number of customers you serve? Increasing Decreasing Stable Do you directly sell to any of the levels of government shown below? Federal: Yes No Don’t Know State: Yes No Don’t Know Local: Yes No Don’t Know (If no to all, skip next question) If Yes, approximately what percent of your sales are to governments? Less than 10% 10%-25% 25%-50% 50%-75% More than 75% Are you interested in initiating or expanding government contracts? Federal: Yes No Don’t Know State: Yes No Don’t Know Local: Yes No Don’t Know If there are customers that would benefit by relocating closer to your facility, please provide information Product/service Company/address V. COMPETITORS What percent of your competitors are located in the following areas? (Total 100%) ___% Local/County ___% Elsewhere in Minnesota ___% Midwest ___% National ___% International: __________ What effect are your primary competitors having on your business? Making significant inroads Future threat No real impact Never been a consideration How would you describe the market share of your company’s products/services? Increasing Decreasing Stable VI. FUTURE PLANS Do you own or lease sufficient property to allow for expansion of your building(s) at this location? Yes No Are you planning any expansion of your existing building(s) at this location? Yes No (If No, skip to 36) If Yes, when do you plan to start construction? Now in progress This Year Next Year Within 5 years Beyond 5 years Don’t know How large would this addition be? ____ sq. ft. Do you have any plans to modernize or improve your present building(s) within the next two years? Yes No Do you have plans for a new building on your present site or elsewhere in the community? Yes No (If No, skip to 40) How large will the building be? ____ sq. ft. When do you plan to start construction? Now in progress This Year Next Year Within 5 years Beyond 5 years Don’t Know Do you have plans to expand elsewhere in the state? Yes No (If No, skip to 43). If Yes, where? Within 50 miles Within 100 miles Elsewhere in the State If Yes, when? Now in progress This year Next year Within 5 years Beyond 5 years Don’t know Do you have plans to expand outside the state? Yes No (If No, skip to 46) If Yes, where? Midwest Sunbelt East Coast West Coast Other US: _______ International: ______ If Yes, when? Now in progress This year Next year Within 5 years Beyond 5 years Don’t Know Do you have any plans to modernize or improve your present equipment within the next two years? Yes No Are there technological innovations that you plan to put in place within the next two years? Yes No Do you have any plans to move all or part of your operation from this location? Yes No (If No, skip to 52) Possible Candidate If Yes, where do you plan to move? Local Elsewhere in Minnesota Midwest East Coast Sunbelt West Coast Other US:_________ International: _________ If Yes, when do you plan to move? Now in progress This year Next year Within 5 years Beyond 5 years Don’t know If Yes, why? (rank top four in order of importance: 1=Highest) ____ Closer to Customer ____ Closer to Supplier ____ Building Overcrowded ____ No Land to Expand ____ Access/Egress Problems ____ Crime/Vandalism ____ Labor Costs ____ Energy Costs ____ Regulatory Concerns ____ Rigid Code Enforcement ____ Property Taxes ____ State Corporate Taxes ____ Personal Income Taxes ____ Other: _______________ In the past few years, have other states’ representatives contacted you trying to get you to move your company from Minnesota? Yes No Please list states _____ _____ _____ What is the likelihood of phasing out or shutting down this operation with no plans for expansion elsewhere? Probable Possible Remote Non-existent If probable or possible, why? _________________________________________________________________________________ VII. LABOR AND MANPOWER MATTERS • What is your approximate number of full-time employees for the following years? (Please respond to all) # of hourly # of salaried employees employees Current Last Year 5 Years Ago Next Year 5 Years Out How many shifts do you have in operation? One Two Three Other: ________ Do you employ part-time employees? Yes No (If No, skip to 66) If Yes, how many part-time employees? _____ Staff _____ Contracted Is the number of part-time employees related to seasonal fluctuation? Yes No Is the number of part-time employees related to economic fluctuation? Yes No What percent of your employment is: (Total 100%) ____% Professional/Technical ____% Office Staff ____% Highly Skilled ____% Semi-skilled ____% Unskilled What is the average hourly wage in your company (excluding benefits) for the following: $____ Professional/Technical $____ Office Staff $____ Highly skilled $____ Semi-skilled $____ Unskilled Do the majority of your employees need skills training to perform at the required level? Yes No Does your firm require all workers to have a high school diploma or equivalent? Yes No What percent of your employees reside within this county? ______% What percent of your employees, on the average, retire annually? 0% Less than 3% 3%-5% 6%-10% 11%-25% Over 25% What is your total employee turnover rate, on average, annually? 0% Less than 3% 3%-5% 6%-10% 11%-25% Over 25% What percent of your new employees leave within the first 6 months? 0% Less than 3% 3%-5% 6%-10% 11%-25% Over 25% What is the most common reason for employee turnover? (Indicate all that apply)/ Career Change College graduation Job Security Other Opportunity Relocation, spouse/family Retirement Skills don’t align Wage/benefit Terminated, performance Terminated, work ethic Are replacement employees difficult to recruit? Blue Collar: Yes No Not applicable Office support (hourly): Yes No Not applicable Professional/Technical: Yes No Not applicable How do the following affect your recruiting? (Check appropriate box). Positive Negative No Effect No Response Quality of Life Cost of Living Climate Housing Costs Available Housing Personal Taxes K-12 Ed System Area Tech College Transportation Other How do you obtain replacement employees? (Check only one in the Best Column. Several may be checked in the Also Used column.) Best Also Used Word of Mouth Newspaper Internet Private Service Job Center Sign Out Front Area Tech College University/College _________Other Are you familiar with “jobs development/training programs” sponsored by county, state, or federal government? Yes No Please give your perception of the following: Use-ful Not Use- ful No Opin No Resp Job Center WI Mfg Outreach Center WI Mfg Ext Partnership Technical College University Apprenticeship School-to-work Is your investment in employees training programs: Increasing Decreasing No Change Approximately what percent of annual sales does the company invest in training? ____% Is the number of unfilled positions in the company: Increasing Decreasing No change What new training programs would you like to have offered by the local technical college(s) to meet your changing needs? __________________________________________________________ Does your firm have a union? Yes No (if No, skip next question) If Yes, what percent of your work force is unionized? _______% VIII. ASSESSMENT OF GOVERNMENT REALTIONS, REGUALTIONS, AND SERVICES IN THE AREA Is the water pressure and supply provided to your building adequate? Yes No Are you satisfied with the storm water drainage and sanitary sewer services provided by your local government to your site? Yes No Are voice lines provided by the local phone company adequate for you business communication needs? Yes No Is Broadband or high-speed Internet service provided in your area adequate for your business communication needs? Yes No Not applicable Are wireless communication services provided in your area adequate for your business needs? Yes No Not applicable Is waste disposal a problem at your local site? Solid: Yes No Not applicable Liquid: Yes No Not applicable Hazardous: Yes No Not applicable Has your facility been the target of vandalism or burglary within the last 12 months? Yes No Have you or any of your employees been the victim of a crime (i.e., mugging) within a quarter mile of your facility during the past 12 months? Yes No Do you feel that local law enforcement agencies are doing all they can to protect your employees/property? Yes No Are you satisfied with the present configuration of traffic lights, one-way streets, and stop signs in the area? Yes (If Yes, skip next question) No If No, what would you like to see changed? __________________________________________________________ Do you feel that local fire protection capabilities are satisfactory for your needs? Yes No Are there serious potholes in the pavement near your facility? Yes No Do you experience flash flooding on nearby streets? Yes No Is snow removal adequate on the streets near your facility? Yes No Are streets near your facility cleaned regularly? Yes No Do you feel code enforcement efforts are being adequately and evenly applied? Yes No Is public transportation available for employees? Yes (If Yes, skip next question) No If No, do you want it? Yes No What percent of your employees use the following means of transportation to get to work? (Total 100%) ____% Car ____% Car Pool ____% Bus/Public Transportation ____% Walk/Bicycle ____% Motor Cycle/Snow Mobile/ATV ____% Other: _________________ Which of the following means of transportation are regularly used for business purposes? (Indicate all that apply) Air Travel To/From Minneapolis/St. Paul Air Travel To/From Eau Claire Air Travel To/From Duluth Bus Amtrak/Rail Personal Auto Company Auto Other Air Travel: ________ What is your perception of the following financing options? (check box) Use-ful Not Use-ful No Opin No Resp Local Lending Inst Targeted Jobs Tax Credit Small Bus Admin Financing Ind Rev Bonds County/City RLF TIF What is your perception of the following organizations? (Check box). Useful Not Use-ful No Opin No Resp How would you rate local municipal economic development efforts? Excellent Good Fair Poor No Opinion How could these efforts be improved to better meet the needs of your company? _______________________________________________________________________________________ What is your opinion of the following? (Check box) Satisfied Dis-satisfied No Opin Doesn’t Apply Plan Com Bd of Zoning Appeals City Engineer City Assessor Health Insp Bldg Insp Fire Insp Public Works Dept City Administrator County Administrator Police Dept Fire Dept Local Elected Officials Overall, what is your opinion of local government in this community? Excellent Good Fair Poor No Opinion What improvements would you recommend? _______________________________________________________________________________________ IX. FINANICAL MATTERS Are your firm’s gross sales: Increasing Decreasing Stable What percent of the company’s annual sales are dedicated to research & development? None Less than 5% 5%-10% 10%-20% Over 20% How would your firm finance technological innovations, expansions, or modernizations? (Indicate all that apply). Conventional Financing Federal/State Programs Through Parent Company Venture Capital Cash Flow Industrial Revenue Bonds Small Business Administration Tax Increment Financing Other: _________________ What are the most important factors, if any, negatively impacting your company’s present financial condition? (Rank up to four. 1=Most important, etc.) ____ Labor Quality ____Labor Supply ____ Transportation ____ Interest Rates ____ Energy Costs ____ Material Costs ____ Local Property Taxes ____ State Corp. Income Tax ____ Federal Corp. Income Tax ____ Market Conditions/Economy ____ Employee Wage/Benefits ____ Property/Liability Ins. Costs ____ Other: ___________________ Where is your company’s primary banking institution? Local Elsewhere in Minnesota Out of State Out of US: ____________ X. ENERGY MATTERS Do you anticipate a change in utility needs at your facility in the next three years? (Check box). Increase Decrease No Change Doesn’t Apply Oil Nat Gas Propane Gas Electricity Water Sewer Voice Lines Dial Lines Wireless Service Do you have an energy back-up system? Yes No Have you experienced any difficulties in working with local utilities? Yes No Comments regarding utilities: _______________________________________________________________________________________ XI. COMMUNITY LINKAGE Is your firm a member of the ???? Yes No Is your firm a member of any other business organization in the local areas? Yes No Are you interested in participating in a community organization? Yes No Where is your residence? Local/County Elsewhere in Minnesota Out of State: __________ Out of US: ____________ XII. OVERAL IMPRESSIONS What is your overall opinion of the local community as a place in which to do business? Excellent Good Fair Poor No Opinion What do you see as positive? __________________________________________________________ What do you see as negative? __________________________________________________________ What is your opinion of the State of Minnesota as a place in which to do business? Excellent Good Fair Poor No Opinion Over the past few years, would you say that as a place to do business, Minnesota has gotten: Better Worse Stayed the same No Opinion Thinking about Minnesota as a place to do business, do you expect it to get: Better Worse Stay the Same No Opinion How do you think Minnesota can become more pro-business in the next three to five years? __________________________________________________________ What are the key issues facing your firm in the next three to five years? __________________________________________________________ What is your overall opinion of the State of Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)? Excellent Good Fair Poor No Opinion What is your perception of the following DEED administered programs? Useful Not Useful No Opin No Resp Bus Planning Assist. Financing Programs Labor Training Programs Com Dev Zones Main Street Program Int’l Trade Program What suggestions or recommendations do you have for working with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development? _______________________________________________________________________________________