Upshur County Development Authority Strategic Planning Survey Upshur County Development Authority Strategic Planning Survey Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. – Step 1 of 6The Upshur County Development Authority is conducting a survey of businesses here in the county as the organization develops its 5-year Strategic Plan in early 2022. We hope you can assist us by answering this short survey by December 29th so that we can better serve you and to identify new economic opportunities for Upshur County.Would you consider your business to be a for-profit organization or a non-profit (charitable) one? *For-profitNon-profitIs your business headquartered in Upshur County? *YesNoIs the corporate decision-making body for your business located within Upshur County? *YesNoWould the business be considered a “side business” or “secondary source of income” for its owner? *YesNoHow long has the business been established? *Less than 1 year1-2 years3-4 years5-9 years10+ yearsIs the business Woman-Owned (at least 51% owned and controlled by a woman)? *YesNoUnsureIs the business Veteran-Owned (at least 51% owned and controlled by a U.S. Military Veteran)? *YesNoUnsureIs the business Minority-Owned (at least 51% owned and operated by an individual that is at least 25% African American, Asian, Hispanic, or Native American)? *YesNoUnsureWhich of the following best describes the number of people employed by your business? *Self only1-56-1011-2021-5051-100101+In which age group would the primary business owner/executive/manager/director fall? *18-3435-6465 and overN/A (Business is corporate owned)How would you describe your position within the company in Upshur County? *Owner/Principal/Founder/President/CEO/FranchiseeSenior Member or ExecutiveManagerOtherWhat industry would you describe your primary business function or industry?Would your business fall within any of the following? Please mark all that apply: *TourismEnergyHealthcareManufacturingAviation/AerospaceNone of the aboveIs your business located within the city limits of Buckhannon? *YesNoNextDo you (the respondent) also live/reside in Upshur County? *YesNoAre you (the respondent) originally from Upshur County? *YesNoNextDo your employees need specific education or certification that is not found in Upshur County or the region? *YesNoUnsureWhat, if any, are challenges specific to Upshur County that your company faces in employee attraction or retention? In 2022, would you say your company expects to: *Maintain its present workforce levelExpand and hire additional employeesReduce number of employeesUnsureIn the next three years, would you say your company expects to: *Maintain its present workforce levelExpand and hire additional employeesReduce number of employeesUnsureBeyond employee issues, which of the following would be the top three challenges that your company faces? *Region’s transportation (roads, air transport, rail)Traffic/congestionUtilitiesZoningCrime/Policing/Public SafetyHealthcare costsFunding/Access to capitalRegulatory environmentBroadband accessShipping/LogisticsSites and/or buildings for location or expansionOtherPlease list the other challenge(s) your company faces:NextIn regard to quality of life in Upshur County, what would you say is the biggest benefit for companies and their employees?What, if any, challenges does your business face by being geographically located in Upshur County as opposed to another part of the state or country?Regarding quality of life in Upshur County, which three issues would you say need the most improvement? *Quality of K-12 educationOrganized sports (Youth and Adult)Non-Sport Youth ActivitiesParks & recreationHealthcareHousingAvailability/variety of retail & restaurantsVibrant downtownOtherRegarding quality of life, what other issue(s) would you say needs the most improvement?Considering all the factors it takes to be successful in business, how would you currently rate Upshur County overall as a place for your business to succeed? *Excellent LocationGood LocationFair LocationPoor LocationAdditional comments (optional):NextDo you believe that things in Upshur County are headed in the right direction? *YesNoUnsureHow would you rate the current state of the economy in Upshur County? *ExcellentGoodFairPoorUnsureWould you say that the economy in Upshur County is getting better or worse? *BetterWorseUnsurePlease tell us how much you disagree or agree with the following statements. Please rate your level of agreement on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being Strongly Disagree and 5 being Strongly Agree.New businesses can easily integrate into the county’s business community. *1 – Strongly Disagree2 – Somewhat Disagree3 – Unsure4 – Somewhat Agree5 – Strongly AgreeUpshur County is a welcoming, tolerant, and attractive place for people of diverse backgrounds. *1 – Strongly Disagree2 – Somewhat Disagree3 – Unsure4 – Somewhat Agree5 – Strongly AgreeLeaders in the county are responsive to the needs of all residents, irrespective of ethnicity, cultural heritage, gender, or lifestyle. *1 – Strongly Disagree2 – Somewhat Disagree3 – Unsure4 – Somewhat Agree5 – Strongly AgreePeople from different industry and economic sectors frequently interact in the region. *1 – Strongly Disagree2 – Somewhat Disagree3 – Unsure4 – Somewhat Agree5 – Strongly AgreeArtists and business people frequently interact in the county. *1 – Strongly Disagree2 – Somewhat Disagree3 – Unsure4 – Somewhat Agree5 – Strongly AgreeLocal government eagerly partners with the private sector to promote new business development. *1 – Strongly Disagree2 – Somewhat Disagree3 – Unsure4 – Somewhat Agree5 – Strongly AgreeBusiness leaders proactively share information and resources when possible. *1 – Strongly Disagree2 – Somewhat Disagree3 – Unsure4 – Somewhat Agree5 – Strongly AgreeCounty residents actively participate in community development organizations and projects. *1 – Strongly Disagree2 – Somewhat Disagree3 – Unsure4 – Somewhat Agree5 – Strongly AgreeBusiness people in the county actively invest in economic development projects and startup ventures. *1 – Strongly Disagree2 – Somewhat Disagree3 – Unsure4 – Somewhat Agree5 – Strongly AgreeNextPlease rate your awareness of the services offered by the Upshur County Development Authority listed below.The Upshur County Development Authority offers many services to either aid existing businesses or to bring new business development into Buckhannon/Upshur County. Please rate your awareness of each service, with 1 being Not At All Aware and 5 being Very Aware.Visitation to determine your business needs or issues your business may face. *1 – Not At All Aware2 – Not Very Aware3 – Uncertain4 – Somewhat Aware5 – Very Much AwareAssistance with developing industrial access roads. *1 – Not At All Aware2 – Not Very Aware3 – Uncertain4 – Somewhat Aware5 – Very Much AwareListing available property or buildings on the West Virginia Development Office and Upshur Development Authority websites. *1 – Not At All Aware2 – Not Very Aware3 – Uncertain4 – Somewhat Aware5 – Very Much AwareArranging and providing information on upcoming business training sessions. *1 – Not At All Aware2 – Not Very Aware3 – Uncertain4 – Somewhat Aware5 – Very Much AwareCommunicating and/or marketing the benefits of locating in Buckhannon/Upshur County. *1 – Not At All Aware2 – Not Very Aware3 – Uncertain4 – Somewhat Aware5 – Very Much AwareAssistance with completing loan applications for West Virginia Economic Development Authority funding. *1 – Not At All Aware2 – Not Very Aware3 – Uncertain4 – Somewhat Aware5 – Very Much AwareFinding appropriate contacts for your business needs. *1 – Not At All Aware2 – Not Very Aware3 – Uncertain4 – Somewhat Aware5 – Very Much AwareOutlining beneficial state or local programs for your business. *1 – Not At All Aware2 – Not Very Aware3 – Uncertain4 – Somewhat Aware5 – Very Much AwareKeeping you up-to-date on local economic development activities. *1 – Not At All Aware2 – Not Very Aware3 – Uncertain4 – Somewhat Aware5 – Very Much AwareAssisting your business in navigating start-up activities and requirements by state and local government. *1 – Not At All Aware2 – Not Very Aware3 – Uncertain4 – Somewhat Aware5 – Very Much AwareDiscussing local banking, real estate, and marketing partners. *1 – Not At All Aware2 – Not Very Aware3 – Uncertain4 – Somewhat Aware5 – Very Much AwareProviding space for business training courses. *1 – Not At All Aware2 – Not Very Aware3 – Uncertain4 – Somewhat Aware5 – Very Much AwareProviding direction about West Virginia business tax credits. *1 – Not At All Aware2 – Not Very Aware3 – Uncertain4 – Somewhat Aware5 – Very Much AwareIf you would like to receive the Upshur County Development Authority's quarterly e-newsletter, please enter your email address below:Submit
