Questionnaire for Entrepreneurs

Our region has set clear indicators to measure whether we are reaching our CED goals. *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

1 (14.3%): I strongly agree.

1 (14.3%): I agree.

1 (14.3%): I disagree.

1 (14.3%): I strongly disagree.

3 (42.9%): I don’t have an opinion.

Our region has a clear sense of its assets (capital, skills, businesses, buildings, networks, history, etc.) and our CED goals are firmly rooted in those assets. *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

1 (14.3%): I strongly agree.

2 (28.6%): I agree.

2 (28.6%): I disagree.

1 (14.3%): I strongly disagree.

Our region has done serious CED planning that includes proposals to plug economic leaks, promote tourism, create great places, and expand local businesses. *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

1 (14.3%): I strongly agree.

1 (14.3%): I agree.

2 (28.6%): I disagree.

1 (14.3%): I strongly disagree.

2 (28.6%): I don’t have an opinion.

Our region has strong organizations that bring local businesses together and facilitate meaningful CED partnerships and collaborations. *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

1 (14.3%): I strongly agree.

3 (42.9%): I agree.

1 (14.3%): I disagree.

1 (14.3%): I strongly disagree.

Our region is a place where businesses often work together to improve their competitiveness. *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

1 (14.3%): I strongly agree.

2 (28.6%): I agree.

2 (28.6%): I disagree.

1 (14.3%): I strongly disagree.

Our region understands the value of “buying locally.” *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

1 (14.3%): I strongly agree.

3 (42.9%): I agree.

- (0.0%): I disagree.

3 (42.9%): I strongly disagree.

Our region makes it easy for an entrepreneur to start a business. *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

1 (14.3%): I strongly agree.

3 (42.9%): I agree.

1 (14.3%): I disagree.

2 (28.6%): I strongly disagree.

Our region makes it easy for an entrepreneur to find capital for his or her business. *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

1 (14.3%): I strongly agree.

- (0.0%): I agree.

3 (42.9%): I disagree.

1 (14.3%): I strongly disagree.

2 (28.6%): I don’t have an opinion.

10.

Our politicians and policymakers understand and value the importance of local business, and have shaped CED priorities and programs accordingly. *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

1 (14.3%): I strongly agree.

- (0.0%): I agree.

3 (42.9%): I disagree.

2 (28.6%): I strongly disagree.

11.

Our CED programs well reflect all the views in our community. *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

1 (14.3%): I strongly agree.

1 (14.3%): I agree.

3 (42.9%): I disagree.

- (0.0%): I strongly disagree.

2 (28.6%): I don’t have an opinion.

12.

Our CED programs include the participation of the poor, women, the young, racial minorities, recent immigrants, and Tribes. *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

1 (14.3%): I strongly agree.

- (0.0%): I agree.

5 (71.4%): I disagree.

- (0.0%): I strongly disagree.

13.

Our CED programs have set the right priorities. *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

1 (14.3%): I strongly agree.

2 (28.6%): I agree.

2 (28.6%): I disagree.

1 (14.3%): I strongly disagree.

14.

There is a simple “go to” place for entrepreneurs to find information, resources, and support. *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

2 (28.6%): I strongly agree.

2 (28.6%): I agree.

3 (42.9%): I disagree.

- (0.0%): I strongly disagree.

15.

Entrepreneurs in our region effectively connect with each other through formal or informal networks. *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

1 (14.3%): I strongly agree.

4 (57.1%): I agree.

1 (14.3%): I disagree.

1 (14.3%): I strongly disagree.

16.

Our region is entrepreneurially minded. Many residents have embrace the idea of starting and running a business. *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

2 (28.6%): I strongly agree.

2 (28.6%): I agree.

1 (14.3%): I disagree.

2 (28.6%): I strongly disagree.

17.

Partnership and collaboration are common in our region. We work well together and get things done. *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

1 (14.3%): I strongly agree.

3 (42.9%): I agree.

2 (28.6%): I disagree.

1 (14.3%): I strongly disagree.

18.

If you want to clarify or add detail to any of your responses, please add them here:		.xls .csv

Number of participants: 3

- 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.

- This region does not support small business, the importance of shopping local, nor do town officials work to boost their local economies. We need business owners to work together, not against each other. We need town officials to encourage new businesses, not just say No all the time to new ideas and developments. We need programs that help boost local economy, get more customers shopping and make this region a real destination. We need a stronger defense against online shopping. Most of all, we all need to work together on these initiatives.

- 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.

19.

Is Accessing Capital a challenge? *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

2 (28.6%): A moderately serious challenge.

2 (28.6%): A huge challenge.

1 (14.3%): I don’t know.

20.

Is Finding Skilled Workers a challenge? *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

1 (14.3%): Not a serious challenge.

1 (14.3%): A huge challenge.

2 (28.6%): I don’t know.

21.

Is Retaining Workers a challenge? *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

3 (42.9%): A little bit of a challenge.

2 (28.6%): A huge challenge.

1 (14.3%): I don’t know.

22.

Is Preparing a Business Plan a challenge? *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

5 (71.4%): Not a serious challenge.

1 (14.3%): A huge challenge.

- (0.0%): I don’t know.

23.

Is Strategic Planning a challenge? *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

3 (42.9%): Not a serious challenge.

3 (42.9%): A little bit of a challenge.

1 (14.3%): A huge challenge.

- (0.0%): I don’t know.

24.

Is Market Analysis a challenge? *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

1 (14.3%): Not a serious challenge.

3 (42.9%): A moderately serious challenge.

1 (14.3%): A huge challenge.

- (0.0%): I don’t know.

25.

Is Marketing/Advertising a challenge? *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

- (0.0%): A little bit of a challenge.

7 (100.0%): A huge challenge.

- (0.0%): I don’t know.

26.

Is Increasing Sales a challenge? *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

5 (71.4%): A huge challenge.

- (0.0%): I don’t know.

27.

Is Employing Better Technology a challenge? *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

3 (42.9%): A huge challenge.

1 (14.3%): I don’t know.

28.

Is Accounting a challenge? *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

4 (57.1%): Not a serious challenge.

- (0.0%): A little bit of a challenge.

2 (28.6%): A moderately serious challenge.

1 (14.3%): A huge challenge.

- (0.0%): I don’t know.

29.

Are Legal Issues a challenge? *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

3 (42.9%): Not a serious challenge.

1 (14.3%): A huge challenge.

- (0.0%): I don’t know.

30.

Are Personnel Policies a challenge? *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

3 (42.9%): Not a serious challenge.

3 (42.9%): A little bit of a challenge.

1 (14.3%): A huge challenge.

- (0.0%): I don’t know.

31.

Is Shipping Goods a challenge? *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

2 (28.6%): Not a serious challenge.

4 (57.1%): A little bit of a challenge.

1 (14.3%): A huge challenge.

- (0.0%): I don’t know.

32.

Is High Speed Internet a challenge? *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

3 (42.9%): Not a serious challenge.

2 (28.6%): A huge challenge.

- (0.0%): I don’t know.

33.

Is Affordable Space a challenge? *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

3 (42.9%): Not a serious challenge.

2 (28.6%): A huge challenge.

1 (14.3%): I don’t know.

34.

Is Regulation – new minimum wage a challenge? *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

2 (28.6%): Not a serious challenge.

2 (28.6%): A huge challenge.

1 (14.3%): I don’t know.

35.

Is Regulation – mandatory sick leave a challenge? *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

2 (28.6%): Not a serious challenge.

2 (28.6%): A huge challenge.

1 (14.3%): I don’t know.

36.

Is The Vibrancy and Livability of Our Town a challenge? *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

4 (57.1%): A huge challenge.

1 (14.3%): I don’t know.

37.

Is Infrastructure a challenge? (please describe) • Not a serious challenge. • A little bit of a challenge. • A moderately serious challenge. • A huge challenge. • I don’t know. *		.xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

- i don't know

- A little bit of a challenge.

- Yes. Everything is expensive in the North East, including building and maintaining.

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

- not a huge problem

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

- accessing affordable housing for (potential) employees is difficult

38.

Are Licenses and Permits a challenge? (please describe) • Not a serious challenge. • A little bit of a challenge. • A moderately serious challenge. • A huge challenge. • I don’t know. *		.xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

- i don't know

- Not a serious challenge.

- Takes time, but can be done.

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

- not a huge problem.

- Not a serious challenge

- fees for very small scale businesses can be a deterrent

39.

Please use this space to describe any other challenges not mentioned above, or to clarify any of your responses:		.xls .csv

Number of participants: 3

- Rents are too high in this area, it's prohibitive to starting a business, especially a retail store front shop. Advertising rates (Monadnock Table, Sentinel, Ledger, Shopper News, etc) are way too high - small businesses, especially new businesses, cannot afford these rates...which means that they cannot place ads and market their businesses.

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

- As an employer of 20-25 seasonal workers, I support a higher minimum wage, mandatory sick leave, and employer-funded single payer health care!

40.

Please indicate if there is one challenge in particular above that requires urgent attention:		.xls .csv

Number of participants: 2

- Better advertising rates!!!!!!!!!!!

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

41.

Entrepreneurship Courses *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

2 (28.6%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

- (0.0%): We have used these resources but they were not helpful.

2 (28.6%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

3 (42.9%): I don’t know.

42.

Mentorship (peer support) *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

1 (14.3%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

- (0.0%): We have used these resources but they were not helpful.

1 (14.3%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

4 (57.1%): I don’t know.

43.

Coaching (paid support) *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

3 (42.9%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

- (0.0%): We have used these resources but they were not helpful.

1 (14.3%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

2 (28.6%): I don’t know.

44.

Technology Training *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

2 (28.6%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

- (0.0%): We have used these resources but they were not helpful.

1 (14.3%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

4 (57.1%): I don’t know.

45.

Entrepreneurship Competitions *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

- (0.0%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

- (0.0%): We have used these resources but they were not helpful.

- (0.0%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

7 (100.0%): I don’t know.

46.

Co-Working Spaces *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

4 (57.1%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

- (0.0%): We have used these resources but they were not helpful.

1 (14.3%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

1 (14.3%): I don’t know.

47.

Concept Testing Space (e.g., a community kitchen) *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

3 (42.9%): The resources do not exist locally.

2 (28.6%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

- (0.0%): We have used these resources but they were not helpful.

- (0.0%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

2 (28.6%): I don’t know.

48.

Incubator or Accelerator *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

3 (42.9%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

- (0.0%): We have used these resources but they were not helpful.

1 (14.3%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

3 (42.9%): I don’t know.

49.

Maker Space (e.g., where tools can be rented for wood working or 3D printing) *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

3 (42.9%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

- (0.0%): We have used these resources but they were not helpful.

- (0.0%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

3 (42.9%): I don’t know.

50.

Federal Agencies with Entrepreneurship Programs (such as the USDA) *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

3 (42.9%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

1 (14.3%): We have used these resources but they were not helpful.

- (0.0%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

3 (42.9%): I don’t know.

51.

State Agencies with Entrepreneurship Programs *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

3 (42.9%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

- (0.0%): We have used these resources but they were not helpful.

- (0.0%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

4 (57.1%): I don’t know.

52.

Local Economic Development Department/Division *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

1 (14.3%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

1 (14.3%): We have used these resources but they were not helpful.

- (0.0%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

4 (57.1%): I don’t know.

53.

University or Community College *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

6 (85.7%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

- (0.0%): We have used these resources but they were not helpful.

- (0.0%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

1 (14.3%): I don’t know.

54.

Small Business Development Center *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

2 (28.6%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

- (0.0%): We have used these resources but they were not helpful.

3 (42.9%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

1 (14.3%): I don’t know.

55.

Business Networks *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7

1 (14.3%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

1 (14.3%): We have used these resources but they were not helpful.

4 (57.1%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

1 (14.3%): I don’t know.

56.

Networking Events (e.g., pub talks) *		.jpeg .png .pdf .xls .csv

Number of participants: 7