Questionnaire for Entrepreneurs

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

Number of participants: 16

2 (12.5%): I strongly agree.

8 (50.0%): I agree.

3 (18.8%): I disagree.

1 (6.3%): I strongly disagree.

2 (12.5%): I don’t have an opinion.

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

Number of participants: 16

- (0.0%): I strongly agree.

2 (12.5%): I agree.

8 (50.0%): I disagree.

1 (6.3%): I strongly disagree.

5 (31.3%): 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: 16

- (0.0%): I strongly agree.

3 (18.8%): I agree.

7 (43.8%): I disagree.

3 (18.8%): I strongly disagree.

3 (18.8%): I don’t have an opinion.

11.

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

Number of participants: 16

- (0.0%): I strongly agree.

2 (12.5%): I agree.

6 (37.5%): I disagree.

- (0.0%): I strongly disagree.

8 (50.0%): 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: 16

- (0.0%): I strongly agree.

1 (6.3%): I agree.

7 (43.8%): I disagree.

1 (6.3%): I strongly disagree.

7 (43.8%): I don’t have an opinion.

13.

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

Number of participants: 16

- (0.0%): I strongly agree.

5 (31.3%): I agree.

6 (37.5%): I disagree.

- (0.0%): I strongly disagree.

5 (31.3%): I don’t have an opinion.

14.

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

Number of participants: 16

2 (12.5%): I strongly agree.

9 (56.3%): I agree.

5 (31.3%): 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: 16

2 (12.5%): I strongly agree.

10 (62.5%): I agree.

3 (18.8%): I disagree.

- (0.0%): I strongly disagree.

1 (6.3%): I don’t have an opinion.

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: 16

3 (18.8%): I strongly agree.

10 (62.5%): I agree.

2 (12.5%): I disagree.

1 (6.3%): 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: 16

1 (6.3%): I strongly agree.

13 (81.3%): I agree.

2 (12.5%): I disagree.

- (0.0%): 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: 5

- 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.

- 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.

19.

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

Number of participants: 16

3 (18.8%): Not a serious challenge.

5 (31.3%): A moderately serious challenge.

2 (12.5%): A huge challenge.

1 (6.3%): I don’t know.

20.

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

Number of participants: 16

2 (12.5%): Not a serious challenge.

2 (12.5%): A little bit of a challenge.

5 (31.3%): A moderately serious challenge.

3 (18.8%): A huge challenge.

4 (25.0%): I don’t know.

21.

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

Number of participants: 16

2 (12.5%): Not a serious challenge.

4 (25.0%): A moderately serious challenge.

2 (12.5%): A huge challenge.

4 (25.0%): I don’t know.

22.

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

Number of participants: 16

10 (62.5%): Not a serious challenge.

3 (18.8%): A little bit of a challenge.

- (0.0%): A huge challenge.

- (0.0%): I don’t know.

23.

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

Number of participants: 16

5 (31.3%): Not a serious challenge.

7 (43.8%): A little bit of a challenge.

1 (6.3%): A huge challenge.

- (0.0%): I don’t know.

24.

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

Number of participants: 16

4 (25.0%): Not a serious challenge.

7 (43.8%): A little bit of a challenge.

2 (12.5%): A huge challenge.

- (0.0%): I don’t know.

25.

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

Number of participants: 16

4 (25.0%): Not a serious challenge.

5 (31.3%): A moderately serious challenge.

3 (18.8%): A huge challenge.

- (0.0%): I don’t know.

26.

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

Number of participants: 16

2 (12.5%): Not a serious challenge.

6 (37.5%): A moderately serious challenge.

3 (18.8%): A huge challenge.

- (0.0%): I don’t know.

27.

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

Number of participants: 16

1 (6.3%): Not a serious challenge.

9 (56.3%): A little bit of a challenge.

2 (12.5%): A moderately serious challenge.

2 (12.5%): A huge challenge.

2 (12.5%): I don’t know.

28.

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

Number of participants: 16

11 (68.8%): Not a serious challenge.

3 (18.8%): A little bit of a challenge.

2 (12.5%): A moderately serious challenge.

- (0.0%): A huge challenge.

- (0.0%): I don’t know.

29.

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

Number of participants: 16

10 (62.5%): Not a serious challenge.

1 (6.3%): A moderately serious challenge.

- (0.0%): A huge challenge.

- (0.0%): I don’t know.

30.

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

Number of participants: 16

8 (50.0%): Not a serious challenge.

2 (12.5%): A moderately serious challenge.

- (0.0%): A huge challenge.

1 (6.3%): I don’t know.

31.

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

Number of participants: 16

9 (56.3%): Not a serious challenge.

1 (6.3%): A moderately serious challenge.

- (0.0%): A huge challenge.

2 (12.5%): I don’t know.

32.

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

Number of participants: 16

4 (25.0%): Not a serious challenge.

6 (37.5%): A moderately serious challenge.

2 (12.5%): A huge challenge.

- (0.0%): I don’t know.

33.

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

Number of participants: 16

6 (37.5%): Not a serious challenge.

- (0.0%): A huge challenge.

2 (12.5%): I don’t know.

34.

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

Number of participants: 16

6 (37.5%): Not a serious challenge.

2 (12.5%): A little bit of a challenge.

4 (25.0%): A moderately serious challenge.

2 (12.5%): A huge challenge.

2 (12.5%): I don’t know.

35.

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

Number of participants: 16

6 (37.5%): Not a serious challenge.

1 (6.3%): A little bit of a challenge.

4 (25.0%): A moderately serious challenge.

1 (6.3%): A huge challenge.

4 (25.0%): I don’t know.

36.

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

Number of participants: 16

3 (18.8%): Not a serious challenge.

1 (6.3%): A little bit of a challenge.

6 (37.5%): A moderately serious challenge.

5 (31.3%): A huge challenge.

1 (6.3%): 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: 16

- Not serious

- 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.

- Parking! Bicycle access

- I don't know

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

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

- I don't know

- 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.

- Parking. We need a multi-level parking garage and less street parking like Portsmouth.

- I'm uncertain as to the scope of this question.

- accessing affordable housing for (potential) employees is difficult

- Not a serious challenge

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: 16

- Moderately serious

- 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.

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

- I don't know.

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

- Not a serious challenge.

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

- Once you know the system they aren't - but until you do they definitely are.

- Not a challenge

- Not a serious challenge

- IDK

- Not to my knowledge are licenses and permits a challenge

- fees for very small scale businesses can be a deterrent

- Not a serious challenge

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: 4

- 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

- We tend to operate within whatever the constraints of whatever the circumstances.

- 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: 6

- 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.

- 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.

- Not to my knowledge

41.

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

Number of participants: 16

2 (12.5%): The resources do not exist locally.

4 (25.0%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

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

9 (56.3%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

1 (6.3%): I don’t know.

42.

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

Number of participants: 16

5 (31.3%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

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

8 (50.0%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

3 (18.8%): I don’t know.

43.

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

Number of participants: 16

8 (50.0%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

1 (6.3%): We have used these resources but they were not helpful.

6 (37.5%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

1 (6.3%): I don’t know.

44.

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

Number of participants: 16

5 (31.3%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

1 (6.3%): We have used these resources but they were not helpful.

2 (12.5%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

7 (43.8%): I don’t know.

45.

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

Number of participants: 16

4 (25.0%): The resources do not exist locally.

3 (18.8%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

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

1 (6.3%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

8 (50.0%): I don’t know.

46.

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

Number of participants: 16

2 (12.5%): The resources do not exist locally.

5 (31.3%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

1 (6.3%): We have used these resources but they were not helpful.

6 (37.5%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

2 (12.5%): I don’t know.

47.

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

Number of participants: 16

8 (50.0%): The resources do not exist locally.

5 (31.3%): 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 (18.8%): I don’t know.

48.

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

Number of participants: 16

8 (50.0%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

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

5 (31.3%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

2 (12.5%): 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: 16

2 (12.5%): The resources do not exist locally.

11 (68.8%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

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

1 (6.3%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

2 (12.5%): I don’t know.

50.

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

Number of participants: 16

5 (31.3%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

1 (6.3%): We have used these resources but they were not helpful.

5 (31.3%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

5 (31.3%): I don’t know.

51.

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

Number of participants: 16

7 (43.8%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

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

1 (6.3%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

7 (43.8%): I don’t know.

52.

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

Number of participants: 16

3 (18.8%): The resources do not exist locally.

5 (31.3%): 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.

8 (50.0%): I don’t know.

53.

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

Number of participants: 16

9 (56.3%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

1 (6.3%): We have used these resources but they were not helpful.

4 (25.0%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

1 (6.3%): I don’t know.

54.

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

Number of participants: 16

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

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

16 (100.0%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

- (0.0%): I don’t know.

55.

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

Number of participants: 16

2 (12.5%): The resources exist but we have not used them.

1 (6.3%): We have used these resources but they were not helpful.

11 (68.8%): We have used these resources and they were very helpful.

2 (12.5%): I don’t know.

56.

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

Number of participants: 16