MONTICELLO - Green County's business climate may best be seen in a recent survey conducted by the Green County Development Corporation (GCDC).
Members of the GCDC got a first look Thursday night at some of the results of the Business Retention and Expansion Survey taken last year.
Anna Schramke, GCDC executive director, presented some of the preliminary goals and strategies for building a thriving business atmosphere in the county, based on the information gained from the survey.
A full report with more details about the survey and results, which will be available online, will be presented at a GCDC meeting in early March. The preview was given to members Thursday to gather feedback before the public release.
The list of 14 priority goals was built from information gleaned from 60 area business owners and leaders. The goals are intended to increase business profitability and survival in the coming years.
Topping the list is leadership networking, followed by resources and information availability. High on the list are people needs, followed by material and property needs.
Business owners are concerned about the labor market in Green County. A current shortage of skilled and semi-skilled labor has made those jobs better-paying than expected. The county's quality of life and cost of living were listed as positives, but climate and taxes as negatives. Also, training labor to match business needs remains an important goal.
Upper- and mid-level management are in short supply in the county, also. Businesses find it hard to attract and retain young professionals. Directly connected to that is a goal to change the perception and attitudes about the future of Green County as a place to do business.
Several goals on the list relate to businesses investment in the community, with property ownership and civic engagement. Categories below the state average included:
• The number of Green County businesses that own their facility.
• The number of businesses engaged in civic programs and activities, although one-half of the respondents expressed an interest in participating in community organizations.
• The number of businesses that are members of the chambers of commerce.
Schramke said these goals are not for the GCDC to take on alone, but that many organizations are in better position to carry them out. Actions of these groups help business become more profitable, and give a competitive edge to the community as a whole.
For more information about the upcoming full report presentation of the BRE Survey, contact Anna Schramke at 328-9452 or e-mail gcdc@tds.net.
In other action, the GCDC elected new officers Thursday night. They are: president, Joe Hunter; vice president, Mike Sanders; secretary, Mark Vahlsing; and treasurer, Richard Thoman.
Members of the GCDC got a first look Thursday night at some of the results of the Business Retention and Expansion Survey taken last year.
Anna Schramke, GCDC executive director, presented some of the preliminary goals and strategies for building a thriving business atmosphere in the county, based on the information gained from the survey.
A full report with more details about the survey and results, which will be available online, will be presented at a GCDC meeting in early March. The preview was given to members Thursday to gather feedback before the public release.
The list of 14 priority goals was built from information gleaned from 60 area business owners and leaders. The goals are intended to increase business profitability and survival in the coming years.
Topping the list is leadership networking, followed by resources and information availability. High on the list are people needs, followed by material and property needs.
Business owners are concerned about the labor market in Green County. A current shortage of skilled and semi-skilled labor has made those jobs better-paying than expected. The county's quality of life and cost of living were listed as positives, but climate and taxes as negatives. Also, training labor to match business needs remains an important goal.
Upper- and mid-level management are in short supply in the county, also. Businesses find it hard to attract and retain young professionals. Directly connected to that is a goal to change the perception and attitudes about the future of Green County as a place to do business.
Several goals on the list relate to businesses investment in the community, with property ownership and civic engagement. Categories below the state average included:
• The number of Green County businesses that own their facility.
• The number of businesses engaged in civic programs and activities, although one-half of the respondents expressed an interest in participating in community organizations.
• The number of businesses that are members of the chambers of commerce.
Schramke said these goals are not for the GCDC to take on alone, but that many organizations are in better position to carry them out. Actions of these groups help business become more profitable, and give a competitive edge to the community as a whole.
For more information about the upcoming full report presentation of the BRE Survey, contact Anna Schramke at 328-9452 or e-mail gcdc@tds.net.
In other action, the GCDC elected new officers Thursday night. They are: president, Joe Hunter; vice president, Mike Sanders; secretary, Mark Vahlsing; and treasurer, Richard Thoman.