Questionnaire for Entrepreneurs

- I selected I don't have an opinion because I felt I don't know enough about our plans economic development plans to have an educated opinion. I feel we need to do a better job of getting that information out to the average person.

- I don't feel we are aggressively pursuing the outside companies needed to inject economic energy in this region. We are woefully behind the rest of NH in terms of leadership. We are not getting it from the Chamber, the Council or private citizens. We talk constantly. I am concerned that the new City Manager has no understanding of the severity of what we are facing. I am concerned that we just handed off to "Med" leadership of this initiative when it is one of a multitude of tasks he is being asked to manage. He or someone should be doing this full time. This is not a part time issue! It requires full time focus and leadership. It is not happening in this region. I am saddened by the lack of leadership coming out of the Mayor's office. He is the king of more and more meetings. We need to put a dynamic, experienced individual in charge of this priority.

- This region has been economically stagnant at best since the late 1990s. The reality is bsiiness and industry have left the region and relocated elsewhere or simply ceased operations. The region is a wonderful place to call home but it it's very difficult to find gainful employment that provides an ocome to afford the cost of living here.

- At the local level, I do not feel those working in the government/municipalities consider those running and owning business

Our tax structure and lack of opportunity deters new families from coming to the region and discourages business owners from staying.

Future CED goals need to address how we can generate a self-sustaining economy. Monadnock's economy is propped up by out-of-state income.

- These responses are mainly in reference to Peterborough and surrounding towns.

- I don't see CED at a policy level.

- I think there are a lot of people and groups in the area who would like to help small business, they just do not know how to, or have no clear direction how to.
I believe community events get promoted as helping small business which is not necessarily the case.
I think small business in a town has to be a group effort in order for it to work.

- Yes, we have poor technology and transportation in our region. Also need to build our local food system - byt that I don't mean build bigger local farms but help support more small farms.

- Not serious

- Not significant.

- A little bit of a challenge. I would like another option for high speed internet in addition to Comcast. Public transportation - the Greyhound bus goes through Peterborough but does not stop!

- I biggest problem is Skilled Labor. I do not believe that is "Infrastructure. So, I am going to answer, "I don't know".

- A little bit of a challenge. Mostly roads and bridges needing repair.

- I don't know.

- There is a lack of funds for municipal repair and maintenance

- Not a serious challenge. Comcast is available in downtown, office space is affordable enough.
Electricity is OUTRAGEOUS in cost, but is not a huge part of our business.

- A little bit of a challenge in peterborough - particularly in the support of telecommunters who might otherwise find our town attractive.

- not a serious challenge

- Our roads are terrible, bridges are crumbling and internet sucks. So yes, a huge challenge.

- A bit of a challenge
Not a lot of business in the area to promote traffic to area.

- Not a serious challenge.

- Yes, permits in Keene a huge barrier

- Moderately serious

- Yes.

- Not a serious challenge

- it is a constant refrain over the past 20 years, that the city of Keene is impossible to work with on a timely basis. Is that true or fair? My impression is that it is getting better, that the city of Keene is listening and attempting to work with people. So, I will answer: " A little bit of a Challenge"

- A moderately serius challenge. Town permitting and code enforcement can be overwhelming and confusing.

- A moderately serious challenge.

- NO

- Little bit of a challenge. Local regulations surrounding signage appearance of buildings are discouraging for commerce.

- A moderately serious challenge, particularly because there is not a clear, inclusive vision informing them.

- not a serious challenge - local town works with us

- Not a challenge

- i dont know

- Not a serious challenge

- Not a serious challenge

- Hard to find opportunity to expand business within the area. Only opportunity to make money comes from out of state and manufacture product in P'boro.

- No parking
Not easily walkable all year
Not well lit
Not enough businesses close together

- High speed internet throughout the region - especially in small towns outside of Keene

- More internships needed, more people need to stay in Keene, more shoppers need to support local businesses.

- I am a huge fan of downtown. But let's stop putting all our energy into "improving downtown". Instead, focus on bringing in new businesses.

- High speed internet

- Very difficult to find help. High rents and cost of living make it hard for new workers to come to the area. The area needs more affordable housing and local government needs to recognize this challenge.

- Faster, more reliable Internet

- Accessibility
Sidewalks not sanded, cleared
Parking areas not cleared for days after storms
No lighting from municipalities parking to business areas in the evening.

- Hannah Grimes: Outstanding

MEDC: Not sure where they are at today. Feels like they have "cooled" to working with this area recently; looking elsewhere where maybe it is easier to succeed? This should concern all of us going forward. Their past history, which has been very positive, is not going to help us in the future if they are spending their time in other locale's. Yes, I am very concerned. Is Jack retiring? Who is in line to replace him? Is he still engaged?

- Talking to customers and discovering what they have to offer is very helpful.

- Team jaffrey ( use them and they are helpful)

- We are working on creating a kitchen that would be open to local food producers to use for value added products, testing etc.

- Colleges: We need KSC to succeed in Keene. I am a huge fan. There recent failures saddens me. Their past two Presidents delivered nothing on behalf of the school or the city. So frustrating that Mayor Lane was banging the drum for both when it was obvious just how weak they were as leaders. And it didn't take the PF to realize it. Let's hope Treadwell is the answer.

- Incubating/mentorship programs will not be helpful if other more fundamental challenges are not addressed.

- My shop is designed to be a maker space, just getting it to that point without financial assistance has taken time.

- 350,000

- 50,000

- 50,000.00

- Personal savings and leveraging personal income from other business

- Work another job to put into business.

- Teds Shoe and Sport

- Jack Daniels Motor Inn

- Vicuna Chocolate

- surell

- Bric a brac upcycle emporium llc

- Keene

- Peterborough

- Jaffrey

- Peterborough

- troy

- Jaffrey

- Keene

- Footwear and Apparel brick and mortar retail.

- Non Profit
50+ year presence in this region
A huge cheerleader for the City of Keene

- Specialty retail

- Manufacturing and selling of chocolate

- Surell is a wholesaler of real and faux fur accessories.

- Artisan/vintage gift shop, classroom , gallery

- Custom design and fabrication