2008 Cullman Area Business Climate Survey
 
Please take a few moments to complete this survey by January 31, 2008 and provide important
feedback on business issues affecting your company in the coming year.
 
1) Many important public policy issues face our Cullman area in 2008.   Please rank below the importance of these issues to your business:
 
Economic Growth
Not Important Somewhat Important Important Very Important
 
Transportation Infrastructure
Not Important Somewhat Important Important Very Important
 
Public Education
Not Important Somewhat Important Important Very Important
 
Environmental Regulation
Not Important Somewhat Important Important Very Important
 
State Taxes
Not Important Somewhat Important Important Very Important
 
Health Care Costs
Not Important Somewhat Important Important Very Important
 
Local Taxes & Fees
Not Important Somewhat Important Important Very Important
 
Unemployment Insurance Costs
Not Important Somewhat Important Important Very Important
 
Retaining Young People
Not Important Somewhat Important Important Very Important
 
Available Workforce Skills
Not Important Somewhat Important Important Very Important
 
Local Regulation
Not Important Somewhat Important Important Very Important
 
Zoning/ Land Use
Not Important Somewhat Important Important Very Important
 
Workers' Comp Cost
Not Important Somewhat Important Important Very Important
 
2) 2008 Expansion Plans - Next year I expect our business will:
Expand space within the Cullman area
Expand space outside the Cullman area but within Alabama
Expand space outside of Alabama
Not expand space
Decrease space
 
3) Employment -- Our business/ organization currently employs (# of workers).
 
4) In the coming year, I anticipate our business/ organizationís total employment level will:
Increase 1-5 employees Increase 6-10 employees Increase by more than 11 employees
Decrease 1-5 employees Decrease 6-10 employees Decrease by more than 11 employees
Remain at the same level
 
5) 2008 Revenues - Next year I expect our business/ organization revenues will:
Increase No Change Decrease Don't know
 
6) 2008 Expenditures (Operating) - Next year I anticipate our business/ organization expenditures will:
Increase No Change Decrease Don't know
 
7) 2008 Expenditures (Capital) - Next year I anticipate the following amount of capital projects in our business/ organization:
$1-$9,999 $10,000-$99,999 $100,000-$249,000
$250,000-$499,000 $500,000-$999,000 More than $1 million
 
8) 2008 Profits -- Next year I expect our business/ organization profits will:
Increase No Change Decrease Don't know
 
9) What is the most difficult position to recruit and retain on an ongoing basis?
Sales
Management
Administrative
Clerical
Computer/ Technology
Skilled Labor
Other
 
10) Where is training most needed for your business/ organization?
 
Technical/Job Related
Least Needed Somewhat Needed Needed Most Needed
 
Communication Skills
Least Needed Somewhat Needed Needed Most Needed
 
Work Ethic
Least Needed Somewhat Needed Needed Most Needed
 
Computer Skills
Least Needed Somewhat Needed Needed Most Needed
 
Programming
Least Needed Somewhat Needed Needed Most Needed
 
Supervisory Skills
Least Needed Somewhat Needed Needed Most Needed
 
Spanish Communication Skills
Least Needed Somewhat Needed Needed Most Needed
 
Customer Service/ Retail Skills
Least Needed Somewhat Needed Needed Most Needed
 
 
11) Which description best describes your business/ organization?
Small Business (Fewer than 50 employees)
Small Business (50 -100 employees)
Government / Public Administration
Hospitality / Tourism
Manufacturing / Industry
Other

 

 

Thank you for completing the 2008 Business Climate Survey