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City of Mounds View Page 1 Business Image Survey Report Executive Summary The Mounds View Business Operators Survey was fielded in late November and open for about six weeks - including an extension period through January 19, 2009. Surveys were distributed to all current Mounds View businesses with about 60 mailed out with postage-paid return envelops and about 60 e-mailed out with a link to the online survey. Only six responses were returned by mail and the rest went online to complete the survey. We received 51 total responses. Seven were rejected, as they responded no to the first question “Do you currently own or operate a business in the City of Mounds View?” The total number of respondents therefore is 44, with several respondents skipping questions in the survey (note the number of respondents for each question on the raw data tables). Even with the small sample size, we are encouraged by the response and believe the data is sufficient to be viewed as informational for the purposes of brand development. As with the residents survey, we have some expected results about street repair and satisfaction with the police. The results do provide new insights on other topics in the survey. Below are some of the top-line results of notable interest to the EDA/City Council and the EDC. The top three reasons given for locating in Mounds View were: convenient location (61.4%), local demographics fit my business (43.2%), and long-term commitment to the area (36.4%). Of those Mounds View businesses responding to the survey, 60% indicated that they were members of the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce. Half the respondents are members of other business organizations, indicating an active business community. About 63% believe that the City of Mounds View kept them well informed on projects that affect their businesses and the majority indicated that their preferred method of receiving information from Mounds View about plans for City projects was by email (67%), followed by 43% who prefer mail. Aside from the expected top two important City services, police and street repair, the next three provide further insights: managing traffic congestion, improving Co. Road 10 corridor, and economic development. Besides taxes, responses to the most serious issues facing the city indicate a very strong interest in economic development activities. Improving the County Road 10 corridor was just as high as taxes, followed by concern for vacant commercial properties and lack of shopping options. The top four attributes important to businesses are: easy access to my business 80.0%, improved traffic flow 80.0%, tax incentives 73.3%, and energy costs 73.3%. Responses to city government attributes show a respect for open and honest government and the quality of services, but also show low marks for commitment to improvement, progressive, and innovative. The questions on County Road 10 show there is interest in improving appearance of businesses (54.8%), renaming County Road 10 (41.9%), Lighting (41.9%), and improving appearance of residential areas (41.9%). While they were split on whether a new name for the road would create added value, the majority of businesses (62.1%) indicated it would not present any problems to incorporate the new name with their current business location.