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Cumberland County Economic Development Survey

Dear Community Partner:

The Cumberland County Economic Development Board is kicking off a long range planning process to assist with guiding the future direction of economic development in our region.  

In an effort to obtain as many points of view as possible, we would be most appreciative if you would take a few minutes to complete the following short survey no later than Friday, September 25, 2009.  

Your input is incredibly important to the process and will assist in shaping the future direction of County economic development. Your response to this survey will be strictly confidential. Thank you very much for your assistance.

Sincerely,  
Louis N. Magazzu, Freeholder Director
Matt Milam, Economic Development Board Chairman
 
1.

Which of the following best describes your organization?
Government Agency
Business or Industry
Chamber of Commerce
Service Provider (e.g. hospital, social service organization)
Other  
2.

Which of the following are important reasons for your business remaining in Cumberland County?
Roots in Local Business Community
Good Access to Raw Materials & Resources
Good Location for Business
Quality Labor Force
Good Customer Base
Urban Enterprise Zones and/or Empowerment Zone
Good Transportation and Access to Markets
Good Quality of Life in the Area
Costs of Land, Labor, Capital
Education and Training Opportunities
Recreation and Tourism Opportunities
Other  
3.

Are any of the following conditions barriers for expanding your business or organization in Cumberland County?
Substance Abuse by Employees
Deterioration of Neighborhood where business/organization is located
Problems obtaining Financing
Dealing with Government Regulation
Retaining Dependable and Qualified Employees
Lack of Public Transportation to the Job Site
Securing a Skilled and Motivated Labor Force
Marketing Problems
Crime and Vandalism
Lack of Affordable Land/Buildings
Other  
4.

In which of the following areas do you think County government can play an important role in assisting your business?
Marketing the County and its Location for Business
Providing Training and Job Skills for the Labor Force
Helping Business get through the maze of State, Federal and other Government Regulation
Providing Educational and Life Skills for Prospective Employees
Promoting Tourism and Visitation to the County
Promoting a Good Quality of Life for County Residents and Businesses
Offering Economic Development Training for Business Managers
Providing Financing and Loan Assistance to Business
Other  
5.

How important is the Quality of Life in Cumberland County to you and your employees?
Very Important
Important
Not So Important
6.

If you answered "very important" or "important," please indicate which of the following Quality of Life characteristics are most important for the future of the County.
Good Recreational Opportunities
Good Highways and Traffic Circulation
Protected Farms and Open Spaces
Cultural Activities such as Art, Music, and Theater
A Good Natural Resource Base
Prosperous Downtowns
Safe and Secure Neighborhoods
Affordable Housing
Good Schools and Educational Opportunities
Family Entertainment
Good Shopping Opportunities
7.

As you think about the future of Cumberland County and its economic growth, what is the County's biggest challenge in the next 20 years?
Attracting New Jobs and Industry
Transitioning to a New "Green" Economy
Ensuring its Labor Force meets the Changing Demands of the Work Place
Reducing Poverty and Blight
Protecting Open Spaces and Natural Resources
Ensuring an Efficient Transportation Network, including rail and highway
Finding New Locations for Business and Industry to Locate
Dealing with Taxes and Government Regulation
Providing adequate Infrastructure such as Public Water, Sewer, and Internet
Other  
8.

Cumberland County has a number of important assets that it can offer prospective businesses and industries seeking to locate here.  Which do you think are most important?
Relatively Low Cost of Land/Labor
Financing Programs to Expand/Locate New Industry
Job Training Opportunities to Retain or Enhance the Labor Force
Marketing Partnerships that Promote the County as a Place to do Business
A Good Quality of Life
A Quiet, Relatively Rural Environment with Plenty of Open Spaces
A Ready and Available Work Force
Relatively Low Cost of Housing and Work Force Accommodation
Other  
9.

Which of the following statements most closely reflects your point of view?

Redeveloping the downtown areas of Bridgeton, Millville, and Vineland is important for the future of the County and the future of my business/organization
Bringing new business and industry to Cumberland County is vital to the future of the County even if it means giving up the open spaces and altering the relatively rural character of the area
Bringing new business and industry to Cumberland County is important, but there must be an effort made to ensure that it complements the existing business operations and character of the County
We need to work to bring new business and industry to the County from a regional perspective, recognizing that an expansion of the job base in any one part of the County benefits everyone
Improving the quality of the labor force in the County and ensuring that potenpotential employees have the technical skills to compete in the 21st Century should be one of the top economic development priorities of the County
None of the Above Statements captures my point of view
10.

If you had unlimited funding, which of the following investments do you think would be most important to the growth and development of Cumberland County?
A more comprehensive, regional public transit system
New parks and recreational facilities
New highways and better four lane access to the County
Expanded sewer, water, and telecommunications (internet) service
New Industrial and Business Parks
New Schools and Post Secondary Educational and Training Facilities
Renewable Energy Facilities (solar, wind, and other power generation)
Facilities that can improve the condition of our downtowns/main street areas
11.

Looking down the road, what are your biggest concerns about the future of the Cumberland County economy and the County in general?
The County will be Over-Developed
We will not be able to attract the types of new business and industry needed to transform the economy
We will not have the Transportation Network that we need locally or regionally to move people and goods efficiently
The County will loose its relatively rural character
The new, "Green Economy" that people are talking about will pass us by
Our Labor Force will not keep pace with Changes in the Work Place
We will not be able to break out of the economic and social distress that we face in many areas of the County today