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.

- 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.

- The Hannah Grimes Center is an amazing resource for entrepreneurs and initiatives like Monadnock Buy Local help to raise awareness of the important place local businesses have in our economy and in our lives.

- 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.

- Low speed internet is a big challenge. Bad roads are a challenge

- 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 significant.

- 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.

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

- Parking! Bicycle access

- 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

- I don't know. I work from my home.

- I don't know

- A moderately serious challenge. Without a car, this region is inaccessible.

- not a huge problem

- Roads are not always in the greatest shape.......

- 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.

- accessing affordable housing for (potential) employees is difficult

- No, not a serious challenge

- Yes, permits in Keene a huge barrier

- Yes.

- 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"

- Not a serious challenge.

- Takes time, but can be done.

- Yes, the city of Keene creates many unnecessary challenges for licenses, zoning, permits, etc..

- I don't know.

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

- A moderately serious challenge.

- NO

- I have had no issues with getting licenses.

- Not a serious challenge

- Not a serious challenge.

- not a huge problem.

- The byzantine regulatory system for hospitality -related businesses is daunting in "Live Free or Die" New Hampshire. Absolutely archaic.

- Not a challenge

- Not a serious challenge

- Not a serious challenge

- fees for very small scale businesses can be a deterrent

- 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!

- Better internet

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

- 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

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

- In outlying towns like mine, the availability of reliable internet service is severely lacking and a huge detriment to folks looking to do business of any kind. Also, the drug crisis in our area makes it virtually impossible to keep employees, especially in the hospitality industry.

- 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?

- 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.

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

- 350,000

- 25000

- 20,000

- 50,000.00

- Work another job to put into business.

- Cheshire Garden

- Murphy's Cafe LLC

- Brie & Vessie

- Prial Outreach Consulting

- retail

- The Fitzwilliam Inn

- Bric a brac upcycle emporium llc

- Picadilly Farm LLC

- Winchester

- Keene

- Jaffrey

- Westmorelnad

- Keene

- peterborough

- Fitzwilliam

- Jaffrey

- Keene

- Winchester

- Farm, food production

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

- Coffee shop, Cafe, Retail, Wholesale coffee

- Specialty retail

- Handmade children's shop, all on-line.

- Part-time boutique consulting services to clients looking to expand their outreach: giving to the community with expectations of long-term returns.

- Bed and breakfast lodging, restaurant, pub

- Artisan/vintage gift shop, classroom , gallery

- Custom design and fabrication

- Agricultural business, growing and selling 30 acres of certified organic produce annually.