EODA-BR&E Results
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Eastern Ohio Development Alliance
Business Retention & Expansion
2007 Public Report
Survey Overview 5
Instructions Provided To Respondents 5
Respondent Metrics 5
Survey Results 6
Section I - LOCAL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT 6
1. In which Ohio county is your business PRIMARILY located? 6
2. What is your overall opinion of this county as a place to do business? 6
3. What are your top three (3) reasons for locating or keeping your business in this county? 6
4. Would you recommend this location to other businesses? 6
5. Please describe your IMMEDIATE business needs or concerns that could be addressed by local government or local private entities. 7
6. Please describe your LONG-TERM (more than 2 years) business needs or concerns that could be addressed by local government or local private entities. 7
Section II - Please indicate whether you believe the cost of doing business in this county is high, acceptable, or low. 7
7. Land costs 7
8. Building costs (rent) 7
9. Corporate taxes 7
10. Environmental regulations 7
11. Health care insurance 7
12. Inventory taxes 8
13. OSHA requirements 8
14. Payroll taxes 8
15. Property taxes 8
16. Water and sewer 8
17. Gas service 8
18. Electric service 8
19. Transportation of product to market 8
20. Workers compensation 9
Section III - From your perspective as a businessperson, please rate the following SERVICES provided by this county. 9
21. Public transportation 9
22. Air service 9
23. Waste management 9
24. Snow and ice removal 9
25. Street and sidewalk cleaning 9
26. Street repairs 10
27. Fire protection 10
28. Police protection 10
29. Business services 10
30. Hotel facilities 10
31. Conference facilities 10
Section IV - From your perspective as a businessperson, please rate the following QUALITY OF LIFE-RELATED services and amenities in this county. 11
32. Health care services (EMS, hospitals, clinics) 11
33. Child care services 11
34. School system (K-12) 11
35. Higher education 11
36. Adult vocational training 11
37. Housing 12
38. Professional services 12
39. Shopping 12
40. Restaurants 12
41. Recreation 12
42. Cultural activities/entertainment 12
Section V - From your perspective as a businessperson, please rate the following INFRASTRUCTURAL amenities and services in this county. 13
43. Roads, highways and freeways 13
44. Water and sewers 13
45. Natural gas services 13
46. Telecom services 13
47. High speed Internet access 13
48. Electrical services 14
Section VI - BUSINESS LINKAGES 14
49. Your business likely buys some materials, supplies, and services from suppliers outside this area. Could some of these items be produced profitably in this locality in your opinion? 14
50. If yes, please help us identify materials, supplies, or services that could be produced profitably here rather than shipped into the area. 14
51. Your business likely produces by-products that could be utilized locally by other industries in this locality. If you are willing to explore the possibilities of marketing these by-products locally, please list the by-products you'd be willing to market locally: 15
52. Do you have any plans to modernize or expand your business? 16
53. If yes, do you face any constraints? 16
54. What kind of modernization, renovation or expansion is planned? 16
55. When would the work be started? 17
56. Are you considering opening another facility (e.g.,branch plant, office, division, corporate headquarters, etc.)? 17
57. If yes, where? 17
58. If yes, when? 17
59. If you are expanding in this county, do you face any constraints? 17
60. Are you considering moving, closing, or selling this business? 18
61. If you are considering moving, why? 18
62. If you are considering moving, where would you move? 18
63. When are you considering moving, closing, or selling this business? 18
64. What impact would expanding, moving, closing, or selling have on the number of employees in this county? 18
65. About how many employees would be added? 19
66. About how many employees would be reduced? 19
Section VIII - EMPLOYMENT 19
How would you rate the local MANAGEMENT and STAFF workforce? 19
67. Quality 19
68. Quantity 19
69. Availability 19
70. Stability 19
How would you rate the local LABOR FORCE? 20
71. Quality 20
72. Quantity 20
73. Availability 20
74. Stability 20
TRAINING & RECRUITMENT 20
75. How many employees work at this location of your company? 20
76. Is any part of your workforce unionized? 21
77. Please rank the top three areas in which your current employees need training. 21
78. Please rank the top three areas in which your company has problems recruiting employees: 21
Section IX - GENERAL INFORMATION 21
79. Which of the following best describes your business? (Check all that apply). 21
80. How long has this business been operating in this county? 22
81. Do you own or lease your space? 22
82. Which of the following titles most closely describes your position? 22
83. What is your company's PRIMARY geographic market? 22
84. Would you like information on the any of the following? 22
85. Number of customers 23
86. Sales - Total revenue 23
87. Profits 23
88. Number of employees 23
89. If you expect any of these business factors to increase or decrease, what are the principal reasons for the changes? 23
90. Ohio recently changed its tax structure affecting business and industry. Has this change been helpful to your firm? 25
91. To what extent do the recent changes to Ohio's tax structure enable future investments in your operation in Ohio? 25
92. To what extent would your operation benefit from the availability of high speed wireless Internet access? 26
93. From your perspective as a businessperson, please rate the overall quality of life in this county. 26
94. Do you live in this county? 26
95. Would you like a member of your local Business Retention and Expansion team to contact you personally regarding this survey? 26
96. In the space below, please add any comments, thoughts or suggestions. 26
97. Would you like to receive the results of this survey project? (Realize that in order to receive the results, you need to have provided some form of contact information.) 29
Survey Overview
Instructions Provided To Respondents
The following questionnaire is part of a regional Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) survey of existing businesses being coordinated by members of the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance (EODA). Similar to the program conducted in 2004, the purpose is to learn more about our economy and improve the quality of life.
More specifically, the survey enables county development officials in the region to support existing businesses in their expansion efforts by addressing concerns of individual firms and implementing programs for business development and job growth. The objectives of the BR&E survey are to assist county economic development practitioners to improve communications with local businesses, improve services and infrastructure, grow existing businesses, enhance organizational visibility, and ultimately retain the quality of life in the region.
The Eastern Ohio Development Alliance Regional Business Retention and Expansion program is sponsored by EODA and participating counties in the region, in association with The Ohio BR&E Initiative. The Ohio BR&E Initiative, located on The Ohio State University campus in Columbus, is sponsored jointly by Ohio State University Extension and the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics. For more information on the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance, go to the organization’s website at . For more information on The Ohio BR&E Initiative, check the Initiative’s website at
Answer only those questions with which you feel comfortable. When you complete the questionnaire, click the "SUBMIT YOUR RESPONSES" button at the bottom of the page. You will then be immediately directed to the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance website. This confirms that your responses have been sent to our secure server. Thank you for your participation.
Respondent Metrics
Respondents: 79
First Response: 8/1/2007
Last Response: 11/1/2007
Survey Results
The 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 I - LOCAL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
1. In which Ohio county is your business PRIMARILY located?
36.7% 29 Holmes
26.6% 21 Muskingum
15.2% 12 Coshocton
12.7% 10 Columbiana
8.9% 7 Carroll
2. What is your overall opinion of this county as a place to do business?
50.0% 39 Good
21.8% 17 Average
21.8% 17 Excellent
6.4% 5 Poor
3. What are your top three (3) reasons for locating or keeping your business in this county?
20.0% 45 Proximity to family/family relationships
19.1% 43 Quality of life
18.7% 42 Quality of workforce
12.9% 29 Access to your customers
10.7% 24 Safe environment
10.2% 23 Access to your suppliers and/or raw materials
6.7% 15 Other:
0.9% 2 Access to business services
0.4% 1 Recreation/entertainment
0.4% 1 Safety services
4. Would you recommend this location to other businesses?
86.3% 63 Yes
13.7% 10 No
5. Please describe your IMMEDIATE business needs or concerns that could be addressed by local government or local private entities.
Responses withheld for confidentiality.
6. Please describe your LONG-TERM (more than 2 years) business needs or concerns that could be addressed by local government or local private entities.
Responses withheld for confidentiality.
Section II - Please indicate whether you believe the cost of doing business in this county is high, acceptable, or low.
7. Land costs
65.3% 49 Acceptable
18.7% 14 High
16.0% 12 Low
8. Building costs (rent)
80.9% 55 Acceptable
11.8% 8 Low
7.4% 5 High
9. Corporate taxes
54.2% 39 Acceptable
38.9% 28 High
6.9% 5 Low
10. Environmental regulations
65.3% 47 Acceptable
27.8% 20 High
6.9% 5 Low
11. Health care insurance
65.3% 49 High
33.3% 25 Acceptable
1.3% 1 Low
12. Inventory taxes
65.2% 43 Acceptable
33.3% 22 High
1.5% 1 Low
13. OSHA requirements
71.8% 51 Acceptable
28.2% 20 High
14. Payroll taxes
68.1% 49 Acceptable
31.9% 23 High
15. Property taxes
56.2% 41 Acceptable
41.1% 30 High
2.7% 2 Low
16. Water and sewer
60.3% 44 Acceptable
31.5% 23 High
8.2% 6 Low
17. Gas service
66.7% 50 Acceptable
30.7% 23 High
2.7% 2 Low
18. Electric service
72.6% 53 Acceptable
26.0% 19 High
1.4% 1 Low
19. Transportation of product to market
73.6% 53 Acceptable
20.8% 15 High
5.6% 4 Low
20. Workers compensation
50.0% 36 High
48.6% 35 Acceptable
1.4% 1 Low
Section III - From your perspective as a businessperson, please rate the following SERVICES provided by this county.
21. Public transportation
32.9% 24 Average
32.9% 24 Poor
19.2% 14 Good
13.7% 10 Very Poor
1.4% 1 Excellent
22. Air service
41.7% 30 Poor
34.7% 25 Average
13.9% 10 Good
8.3% 6 Very Poor
1.4% 1 Excellent
23. Waste management
57.9% 44 Average
30.3% 23 Good
6.6% 5 Poor
3.9% 3 Very Poor
1.3% 1 Excellent
24. Snow and ice removal
48.1% 37 Good
36.4% 28 Average
9.1% 7 Poor
3.9% 3 Excellent
2.6% 2 Very Poor
25. Street and sidewalk cleaning
41.7% 30 Average
40.3% 29 Good
9.7% 7 Poor
4.2% 3 Excellent
4.2% 3 Very Poor
26. Street repairs
44.0% 33 Average
26.7% 20 Good
24.0% 18 Poor
5.3% 4 Very Poor
27. Fire protection
44.2% 34 Good
26.0% 20 Average
26.0% 20 Excellent
2.6% 2 Poor
1.3% 1 Very Poor
28. Police protection
36.4% 28 Good
33.8% 26 Average
16.9% 13 Excellent
11.7% 9 Poor
1.3% 1 Very Poor
29. Business services
49.3% 37 Average
37.3% 28 Good
10.7% 8 Poor
1.3% 1 Excellent
1.3% 1 Very Poor
30. Hotel facilities
40.3% 31 Average
32.5% 25 Good
13.0% 10 Poor
9.1% 7 Excellent
5.2% 4 Very Poor
31. Conference facilities
36.8% 28 Poor
35.5% 27 Average
14.5% 11 Good
11.8% 9 Very Poor
1.3% 1 Excellent
Section IV - From your perspective as a businessperson, please rate the following QUALITY OF LIFE-RELATED services and amenities in this county.
32. Health care services (EMS, hospitals, clinics)
46.8% 36 Good
35.1% 27 Average
10.4% 8 Poor
6.5% 5 Excellent
1.3% 1 Very Poor
33. Child care services
48.6% 36 Average
35.1% 26 Good
10.8% 8 Poor
2.7% 2 Excellent
2.7% 2 Very Poor
34. School system (K-12)
46.7% 35 Good
33.3% 25 Average
12.0% 9 Poor
8.0% 6 Excellent
35. Higher education
39.7% 29 Average
32.9% 24 Good
17.8% 13 Poor
6.8% 5 Excellent
2.7% 2 Very Poor
36. Adult vocational training
41.1% 30 Average
30.1% 22 Good
16.4% 12 Poor
11.0% 8 Excellent
1.4% 1 Very Poor
37. Housing
44.0% 33 Average
44.0% 33 Good
8.0% 6 Poor
4.0% 3 Excellent
38. Professional services
41.3% 31 Average
40.0% 30 Good
12.0% 9 Poor
6.7% 5 Excellent
39. Shopping
36.8% 28 Poor
32.9% 25 Average
21.1% 16 Good
5.3% 4 Very Poor
3.9% 3 Excellent
40. Restaurants
39.5% 30 Average
22.4% 17 Good
19.7% 15 Poor
10.5% 8 Excellent
7.9% 6 Very Poor
41. Recreation
40.0% 30 Average
32.0% 24 Good
18.7% 14 Poor
6.7% 5 Excellent
2.7% 2 Very Poor
42. Cultural activities/entertainment
37.3% 28 Average
33.3% 25 Poor
18.7% 14 Good
9.3% 7 Very Poor
1.3% 1 Excellent
Section V - From your perspective as a businessperson, please rate the following INFRASTRUCTURAL amenities and services in this county.
43. Roads, highways and freeways
51.9% 40 Average
24.7% 19 Good
18.2% 14 Poor
3.9% 3 Excellent
1.3% 1 Very Poor
44. Water and sewers
44.6% 33 Average
27.0% 20 Good
21.6% 16 Poor
4.1% 3 Very Poor
2.7% 2 Excellent
45. Natural gas services
47.4% 36 Average
38.2% 29 Good
9.2% 7 Poor
3.9% 3 Excellent
1.3% 1 Very Poor
46. Telecom services
46.8% 36 Average
23.4% 18 Good
20.8% 16 Poor
6.5% 5 Very Poor
2.6% 2 Excellent
47. High speed Internet access
37.3% 28 Average
21.3% 16 Poor
20.0% 15 Good
18.7% 14 Very Poor
2.7% 2 Excellent
48. Electrical services
54.7% 41 Average
29.3% 22 Good
10.7% 8 Poor
5.3% 4 Excellent
Section VI - BUSINESS LINKAGES
49. Your business likely buys some materials, supplies, and services from suppliers outside this area. Could some of these items be produced profitably in this locality in your opinion?
68.5% 50 No
31.5% 23 Yes
50. If yes, please help us identify materials, supplies, or services that could be produced profitably here rather than shipped into the area.
1. Agriculture, eggs corrugated
2. Class eight truck parts and tires. Office supplies and equipment services. Accounting services.
3. Corrugated cartons
4. Everything should be done to encourage, attract and maintain farming and encourage milk production in this naturally agricultural area. Other neighboring states have strong programs to this effect to protect this high dollar grossing industry. Urban sprawl (destruction of farmland) is a fact in the county and is more of an enviromental threat than agriculture. There needs to be better planning within Holmes county
5. I am sure items we sell could definitely be produced here effectively. We are a distributor and small manufacturer of a product- raw materials are not applicable.
6. I don't have any specifics but I believe any materials, supplies, and/or services could be produced profitably here.
7. injection molded plastic parts
8. Ink and adhesive producers
9. Our primary raw material is scrap iron. Some is recycled locally but a large amount is brought in from outside the county.
10. Pallet nails
11. pallets
12. plastic extrusions, assembled
13. plastics, packaging
14. We buy a lot of lumber from suppliers outside the area.
15. WOOD STEEL
51. Your business likely produces by-products that could be utilized locally by other industries in this locality. If you are willing to explore the possibilities of marketing these by-products locally, please list the by-products you'd be willing to market locally:
1. Bottom ash
2. Byproduct of lumber remants with nails in some of the parts.
3. Cardboard
4. Cream or butterfat
5. Cupola slag - currently listed as an exempt waste and being used onsite in a benificial reuse area of the plant. Long term this material wil be lanfilled if we can not find some place to out source it.
6. Custom decorated china for short-runs (of less than 144 per any given item).
7. CYPRESS MULCH
8. Distribution Electric and related services
9. Fly ash
10. Foundry Sand - currently listed as an exempt waste and being used onsite in a benificial reuse area of the plant. Long term this material wil be lanfilled if we can not find some place to out source it
11. Fryer waste oil
12. General Contractors
13. Intellectual property with respect to software development and ideas.
14. Iron Dust from a casting grinding operation that could be recylced into ferrous products
15. Liquid whey permeate 5% solids.
16. rubber scrap from cutting out parts (Shreiner Sole Company, David Shreiner)
17. Scrap metal
18. Scrap pipe - These pipe will not meet the physical properties to market but would be fine to use for culverts, driveways, or anyplace that just needs to drain without pressure on the line.
19. Scrap Wood
20. short and narrow pieces of lumber
21. Slag and Sand
22. steel drums
23. storage
24. Trimmings from cheese products that might produce process cheese.
25. Used Sand (currently landfilled) that could be used for road repair (T H Mfg. Inc, Jeff Tomski)
26. waste cardboard
27. waste paper and cardboard
28. Waste Water Sludge Cake
29. We manufacture Kettle Corn. In the event that we have finished product left over, we may be able to sell it to someone for livestock food.
30. We produce a large amount of used gasoline.
31. We produce rags.
32. Whey powder
33. Wood Chips. There is no in county market but if someone wanted to explore the possibility of manufacturing "ethanol" from celulose (wood fibre) that would be a viable facility for our area.
34. Wood Shavings
35. wood waste
36. Wood waste ground into mulch
Section VII - FUTURE PLANS
52. Do you have any plans to modernize or expand your business?
71.4% 55 Yes
28.6% 22 No
53. If yes, do you face any constraints?
35.0% 21 No constraints
21.7% 13 Need financial assistance
20.0% 12 Insufficient space
13.3% 8 Other:
10.0% 6 Need physical facility planning assistance
Comments/Notes:
Environmental regulations
shortage of management talent
workforce
54. What kind of modernization, renovation or expansion is planned?
28.4% 29 Manufacturing/production space
24.5% 25 Warehouse space
12.7% 13 Office space
9.8% 10 Other:
8.8% 9 Parking area
7.8% 8 Adding another department, division or business
4.9% 5 Expansion into adjacent space
2.0% 2 Expansion by acquisition
1.0% 1 Expansion into another location in the same building
Comments/Notes:
Update, upgrade machinery equipment
expanded product line
implementing online ordering
integrated internet systems
55. When would the work be started?
52.7% 29 Between 1 - 3 years
21.8% 12 Between 6 - 12 months
21.8% 12 Within 6 months
3.6% 2 More than 3 years
56. Are you considering opening another facility (e.g.,branch plant, office, division, corporate headquarters, etc.)?
73.7% 56 No
26.3% 20 Yes
57. If yes, where?
52.4% 11 Outside Ohio, but in U.S.
23.8% 5 Elsewhere in this County
19.0% 4 Outside this County, but in Ohio
4.8% 1 Outside U.S.
58. If yes, when?
47.6% 10 Between 6 - 12 months
42.9% 9 Between 1 - 3 years
4.8% 1 More than 3 years
4.8% 1 Within 6 months
59. If you are expanding in this county, do you face any constraints?
24.3% 9 Workforce issues
18.9% 7 Not enough land for expansion
16.2% 6 Need financial assistance
13.5% 5 Insufficient space in existing building
13.5% 5 No constraints
8.1% 3 Other:
2.7% 1 Need physical facility planning assistance
2.7% 1 Parking issues
Comments/Notes:
Public water/sewer
60. Are you considering moving, closing, or selling this business?
80.8% 63 None of the above
7.7% 6 Considering moving
7.7% 6 Considering selling
3.8% 3 Considering closing
61. If you are considering moving, why?
17.6% 3 Other:
17.6% 3 Overcrowded facilities
11.8% 2 Land limitation for expansion
11.8% 2 Rigid code enforcement
11.8% 2 Workforce issues
5.9% 1 Changing market conditions
5.9% 1 Environmental concerns
5.9% 1 High taxes
5.9% 1 Lease expiration
5.9% 1 Transportation problem
Comments/Notes:
Better state for economic development
no public sewer
Unfriendly business climate in Ohio
62. If you are considering moving, where would you move?
42.9% 3 Elsewhere in this County
42.9% 3 Outside Ohio, but in U.S.
14.3% 1 Outside this County, but in Ohio
63. When are you considering moving, closing, or selling this business?
54.5% 6 Between 1 - 3 years
27.3% 3 More than 3 years
18.2% 2 Between 6 - 12 months
64. What impact would expanding, moving, closing, or selling have on the number of employees in this county?
43.2% 16 Adds employees
35.1% 13 Reduces employees
21.6% 8 No change
65. About how many employees would be added?
Of those indicating an addition of employees, the responses ranged in total from 270 to 445
66. About how many employees would be reduced?
Of those indicating a reduction of employees, the responses totaled 440
Section VIII - EMPLOYMENT
How would you rate the local MANAGEMENT and STAFF workforce?
67. Quality
46.1% 35 Good
28.9% 22 Average
17.1% 13 Excellent
7.9% 6 Poor
68. Quantity
39.2% 29 Average
37.8% 28 Good
16.2% 12 Poor
4.1% 3 Excellent
2.7% 2 Very Poor
69. Availability
47.3% 35 Average
29.7% 22 Good
17.6% 13 Poor
4.1% 3 Excellent
1.4% 1 Very Poor
70. Stability
47.3% 35 Good
27.0% 20 Average
14.9% 11 Excellent
9.5% 7 Poor
1.4% 1 Very Poor
How would you rate the local LABOR FORCE?
71. Quality
40.3% 31 Good
29.9% 23 Average
14.3% 11 Excellent
13.0% 10 Poor
2.6% 2 Very Poor
72. Quantity
50.0% 38 Good
34.2% 26 Average
10.5% 8 Poor
5.3% 4 Excellent
73. Availability
44.0% 33 Average
38.7% 29 Good
12.0% 9 Poor
4.0% 3 Excellent
1.3% 1 Very Poor
74. Stability
35.5% 27 Good
30.3% 23 Average
15.8% 12 Poor
13.2% 10 Excellent
5.3% 4 Very Poor
TRAINING & RECRUITMENT
75. How many employees work at this location of your company?
26.0% 20 25-50
24.7% 19 51-100
15.6% 12 10 or less
14.3% 11 11-24
11.7% 9 101-250
7.8% 6 More than 250
76. Is any part of your workforce unionized?
81.8% 63 No
18.2% 14 Yes
77. Please rank the top three areas in which your current employees need training.
15 % 24 Computer skills
14% 24 Managerial skills
13% 21 Customer service skills
13% 21 General skills (basic math, reading/writing, problem solving)
10% 16 Current employees do not need training
10% 16 Other technical skills
9% 15 Equipment operation skills
9% 15 Mechanical skills
5% 9 Professional skills (sales, marketing, accounting, etc.)
78. Please rank the top three areas in which your company has problems recruiting employees:
21% 32 Precision production/specialty skills
20% 29 Professional/management
18% 26 General production labor
14% 19 General labor
10% 15 Sales
8% 11 Temporary/contract employees
6% 9 Clerical
3% 5 Youth employees
Section IX - GENERAL INFORMATION
79. Which of the following best describes your business? (Check all that apply).
51% 48 Corporation (closely held)
11% 10 Single location business
10% 9 Sole proprietorship
7% 7 Branch office of multi-unit firm
7% 7 Corporation (public)
5% 5 Other:
5% 5 Partnership
3% 3 Headquarters of multi-unit firm
Comments/Notes:
Cooperative
ESOP
family owned business incorporated
LLC
private not for profit
80. How long has this business been operating in this county?
65% 50 More than 20 years
23% 18 Between 10 - 20 years
8% 6 Between 5 - 10 years
3% 2 Between 1 - 5 years
1% 1 Less than 1 year
81. Do you own or lease your space?
83% 62 Own
17% 13 Lease
82. Which of the following titles most closely describes your position?
37% 28 Owner
18% 14 CEO/President/Managing Director
16% 12 General Manager/Manager
11% 8 Operations VP or Director
8% 6 Human Resources VP or Director
5% 4 Sales/Marketing VP or Director
3% 2 COO, CFO, CIO, or CTO
1% 1 Business Development VP or Director
1% 1 Corporate Vice President
83. What is your company's PRIMARY geographic market?
53% 41 National
18% 14 Eastern U.S.
9% 7 Eastern Ohio Region
9% 7 Local
5% 4 International
5% 4 Statewide
84. Would you like information on the any of the following?
25% 13 Job training
22% 11 Small business assistance
16% 8 Financing
14% 7 Exporting
14% 7 Labor management
10% 5 Other:
Comments/Notes:
grant monies available for tech expansion to better compete with companies outside Ohio
Marketing
Over the next three (3) years, do you think the following business factors will increase, stay the same, or decline?
85. Number of customers
64.9% 50 Increase
27.3% 21 Stay the Same
7.8% 6 Decline
86. Sales - Total revenue
78.7% 59 Increase
14.7% 11 Stay the Same
6.7% 5 Decline
87. Profits
67.5% 52 Increase
20.8% 16 Stay the Same
11.7% 9 Decline
88. Number of employees
58.4% 45 Increase
33.8% 26 Stay the Same
7.8% 6 Decline
89. If you expect any of these business factors to increase or decrease, what are the principal reasons for the changes?
1. A increasingly competitive market will force us to reach out to find new customers to maintain current revenue. Higher overhead and the inability to raise rates will decrease profits.
2. Add additional volume if we can get the workforce to produce it
3. Adding sales. Diversifying our product line, and adding equipment.
4. additional customers who can utilize our services
5. As the metal industry, automotive and housing markets decline our business relationship with those markets will decline.
6. Because as management we are going to continue to push growth.
7. Because of expansions planned we expect to expand our sales by gaining market share as well as expanding our market area. Most of the increases are expected to come about the last two years.
8. buy-outs, corporate owned stores,less independent
9. CHANGING MARKET FOR THE OIL INDUSTRY
10. Competitors leaving this line of work
11. Customer base is not growing however with price increases revenue will. We will continue to try to add locations as the economy permits
12. customer demands
13. Declining market conditions could cause a decrease.
14. Expanding into new markets
15. gain a larger customer base
16. Getting better labor force
17. Getting more market share in our industry, getting better products from our suppliers.
18. Globalization of the economy
19. Imports are reducing the need for our type of service in the industry.
20. increase exports
21. Increase in chicken production
22. Increase market penetration as a result of significant strategic planning
23. Increase market share
24. Increased Market Share with existing Customers and new products for existing Customers. Additionally, increased International focus.
25. Increased market share, upturn in the building industry
26. Increased marketing efforts and new products.
27. Increasing need for our product and additional requirements on ouer industry for a higher level of service requiring more employees
28. Increasing opportunities for skilled labor in our type of work
29. Investment in new products and product improvements leading to increased market share
30. Larger regional contact base for customers. Quality of product always on leading edge.
31. Market Saturation
32. more aggressive marketing
33. Our development of new products
34. Prices for our product should increase resulting in more Sales dollars and higher profits.
35. Productivity/quality of work to be more advertised thru out the community.
36. Quality of production, product acceptance, business growth
37. Reduce manpower with modernization of equipment
38. sales and store growth
39. Strategic plan calls for expansion
40. The cost of government in involvement by government in our lives at all levels is the single largest obstacle to growth and development.
41. Trends over the past several show that sales for our business and like businesses in the area have decreased in volume
42. Trying to expand international with our current US based products. Since being bought by Rexam who's Corporate headquarters are based in the UK we are expected to be more gloabal.
43. We are a young business and are in a growth stage. Last year we acquired an additional business which complimented our current business. This (2008) will be our first full year with both businesses combined as one. With this combination, we hope to grow current customers and reach new ones.
44. We are aggressively seeking new markets and products we can produce in order to expand our company. We are also investing significant resources in web design and marketing to expand our options beyond newsprint.
45. We are being more aggressive in sales, both locally and through the internet
46. We are in a mature market and manufacturers are not keeping up with technologies. Private companies are getting out of business.
47. We are operating more efficiently, which decreases our expenses. This in turn allows us to be more competitive. Like I said above, we intend on diversifying our business, which will increase customers, revenues, and profits.
48. We have yet to complete our ramp-up. Once it is completed, we expect to expand sales, profits and number of employees.
49. We supply to the aerospace industry. It is on the upswing, currently.
50. We will work hard and do all we can to guide the company to continue to increase its products and services, thereby adding more sales, more profits, and more employees to process the orders.
90. Ohio recently changed its tax structure affecting business and industry. Has this change been helpful to your firm?
59.5% 47 Not Sure
21.5% 17 No
19.0% 15 Yes
91. To what extent do the recent changes to Ohio's tax structure enable future investments in your operation in Ohio?
65.4% 51 No Effect
21.8% 17 More Likely
12.8% 10 Less Likely
92. To what extent would your operation benefit from the availability of high speed wireless Internet access?
100.0% 5 Great Extent
93. From your perspective as a businessperson, please rate the overall quality of life in this county.
55.3% 42 Good
19.7% 15 Excellent
18.4% 14 Average
6.6% 5 Poor
94. Do you live in this county?
76.6% 59 Yes
23.4% 18 No
95. Would you like a member of your local Business Retention and Expansion team to contact you personally regarding this survey?
85.1% 63 No
14.9% 11 Yes
96. In the space below, please add any comments, thoughts or suggestions.
1. Contact is optional on your part- if you can be a benefit- please contact me.
2. Thank you for caring.
3. Thanks for selecting us to participate.
4. I feel that the business environment in the SEO area is the best it has been in a long time. Unfortunately ,the entire country seems to be in a little downturn which we are not immune to. But, We are looking up!
5. There is always a lot of effort to attract outside companies to come to the area. It is nice to finally see some effort put forward to growing the companies that are here and have strong roots in the local communities.
6. This company for the past 39 years of existance has progressed thanks in part to the help and cooperation from the Holmes County area. In 2008 this plant will celebrate 40 years and hope to be able to include this county in our celebration if they are willing to be involved.
1) The wages paid in this county are below what should be offered for the quality of training, experience and knowledge that is available. 2) The lack of leadership in harnessing the resources of this county keep us locked in a poverty mindset. We are stuck in old thinking and afraid to be aggressive in developing the resources we have. 3) The independent thinking that spawns new businesses keeps us from working together as a community to cause the whole business community to benefit. 4) The recent tax changes will have a trickle down effect on our business by shipping more tax dollars available for investment out of the county.
7. commercial growth in our area of the county has been limited because of public water and sewer not being available.
8. Coshocton County continues to have quality people leave the area for many reasons: Continuing education has our young people leaving then not returning when they find that other areas of the state and country have much more to offer, better school systems, jobs, health care, recreation and entertainment. Those that choose to stay or come back to the area face many chalenges: Lack of jobs, this creates a low tax base which in turn creates finacialy stapped school systems, inadequate health care, and less than sufficiant infrastructure. Local leaders need to focus on keeping young people in Coshocton after higher education instead of them leaving to find a better life. To do so those leaders may need to think outside the box, instead of the antiquated ways of now.
9. Coshocton faces a number of challenges in attracting new manufacturing business. Many of the challenges relate to being able to attract able management. Coshocton is too far from a major airport and the delay in the Rt 16 widening project is no help. The school system is perceived as being sub-par for children with college aspirations. There are many local business people who are commuting from Granville, Zanesville and even Columbus so their kids can have a better educational experience. Another problem is the history of labor unrest and associated threats of violence. Also, Ohio in general does not provide a business friendly environment compared to many other states because of Ohio's high taxes and union friendly laws. On the plus side is a relatively low cost labor force, a relatively low crime rate and terrific natural surroundings. The Johnson-Humrickhouse museum, the Pomerene Art Center and the Triple Locks Theater are under-appreciated cultural attractions. The one industry that does seem to be adding jobs in central Ohio is distribution. Columbus is a distribution hub and Zanesville is getting the new Avon distibution center. Newark/Heath also has a lot of distribution. If we could just get that Rt 16 corridor completed from I77 to Columbus, then perhaps Coshocton would be more competitive for those jobs.
10. Even though broadband is not an issue at our business location, there is a need for it to be expanded or developed to reach the entire county. Our communications with employees could be limited in the future if this is not developed.
11. FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE USING COUNTY ROAD 77 THERE ARE BUGGY LANES NEEDED.
12. I would like to see more business venues in the Downtown Millersburg location. Many of the windows are vacant or have businesses that are not necessarily bringing in more visitors. When I first came to Holmes County 33 years ago, there were clothing stores, pharmacy/drug store, hardware store, shoe stores, and gift stores...promoted more locals to spend time in downtown area. Would love to see more diversity in retailers.
13. Improved communication and organization with agencies whose job it is to assist business would be helpful. As I have been working my way through a maze of government agencies looking for grant monies they all pass me off to another person...and many keep saying that they could have helped with training if they had known before we spent $ 48000 on a new computer system...but as a small business how do we know who to call? I only got direction on who to call because a friend of mine works for DNR in Ohio. Another agency can buy equipment but not technology. So far I have not been impressed with most of the state people I have met. Overall it seems the agencies whose job it is to help business are never in touch with us in 13 years, but agencies whose job it is to regulate or collect fees from us never have a problem finding us.
14. Many of the services that would impact this survey (e.g. human resources and accounting) are provided us by our corporate headquarters.
15. My biggest concern for the area is infrastructure. My biggest concern for the general business climate in Ohio is that it is becoming negative toward business in general. High wages or employee cost is not to blame for job losses. Over regulation is making it too expensive. The legal climate is also to blame for raising the cost and liability to do business in the state.
16. Please contact if needed to clarify answers. Ohio's Work Comp system needs to be addressed.
17. The economic problems that confront Coshocton county are considerable. The absence of a private college and university in this county has caused somewhat of a 'brain drain' over the past century. There is a recent attempt to promote a college of some sort in the area and that may help a little, but I doubt it. In any case, I do not think more government spending on public colleges or corporate welfare-type programs are the answer Coshocton needs. The single most effective thing that can be done to promote economic opportunity in this area is to promote individual freedom and responsibility. Eliminate all welfare handouts of every stripe and kind. Reduce taxes to a small fraction of what is now charged. As a result, the kind of creative people who produce wealth will flood into this land along with their investment capital. The success of such a proposal would be directly related to how free people might be to keep the fruit of their labor and investment. If radical economic freedom is tried where people get to set their own goals, keep all of what they earn, or suffer the consequences of failure is too much to ask of this government, then continued economic failure is the likely outcome. I realize that this survey is promoted by quasi-government agencies and that the presumed fix is one by government agencies funded by raising or redistributing tax revenue (freedom reduction efforts). Therefore, my admonition to increase economic freedom and leave people alone to be responsible for their own lives is contrary to every proposed government solution. Until the current enthusiasm for government manipulation of the economy has run its course, no real fix of our fundamental economic distress is possible. In Coshocton county the citizens are a long way from desiring true freedom and from accepting personal responsibility for outcomes. If there is anyone out there who reads this and cares about the ideas I have raised, please contact me. If not, I fully understand.
18. The high percentage of unionized laborers has been and will continue to be a hinderance to new influx of companies. I suggest that an Industrial park district be constructed with all the necessary infratructure (including high speed internet) in some easily accessible location that could attract investment.
19. The past two years have been really tight financially, and we're barely holding on as it is. I know we aren't a huge business, but there's a lot of businesses just like us in the county who are barely holding on.
20. We live and work here, but the sewage system in this area is incredibly bad. The river should be a major draw for development, instead the south River Road smells so bad that it is disgraceful. Something needs to be done.
21. Workers Compensation is an out-of-control farce!! State taxes are too high!! Local police protection is too expensive. Considering moving out of state for above reasons!!
97. Would you like to receive the results of this survey project? (Realize that in order to receive the results, you need to have provided some form of contact information.)
75.6% 59 Yes
24.4% 19 No
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