Central Arkansas Economic Development Alliance Survey Report 2 May 7, 2004

Economic Development Survey Total Responses as of May 7, Workforce Survey Total Responses as of May 7, Respondents

2312 Unique Visitors Highest Traffic Date: March 12, 2004 Most Requested Pages: (1) Home (48.5%) (2) About the Project (8.43%) (3) Project News (7.31%) Most Active Day of the Weeks: Friday

Outline Economic Development Survey Demographics Satisfaction Economic Development Perception Workforce Survey Demographics Employment Satisfaction Local Workforce Development Programs Quotes from Economic Developers

Economic Development - Demographics Annual Income

Economic Development - Demographics Gender

Economic Development - Demographics Ethnicity

Economic Development - Demographics Years of Education

Economic Development - Demographics Where do you live Where do you work

Economic Development - Demographics Commute Time to Work

Economic Development - Demographics Top 5 Occupations 1.Management 2.Business and Financial 3.Education, Training, and Library 4.Office and Administrative 5.Sales and Related Top 5 Industries 1.Utilities 2.Education 3.Finance and Insurance 4.Public Administration 5.Healthcare and Social Assistance

Economic Development - Satisfaction Education Highest Satisfaction – Community Colleges Lowest Satisfaction – 9-12 Education Livability Highest Satisfaction 1.Outdoor Recreation 2.Family Environment 3.Good Healthcare Lowest Satisfaction 1.Traffic 2.Growth Management 3.Low Crime

Economic Development - Satisfaction Infrastructure Highest Satisfaction – Driving Time to Work Lowest Satisfaction – Public Transportation Working Environment Highest Satisfaction – Equal Opportunity Lowest Satisfaction – High Paying Jobs General Economy Highest Satisfaction – Tourism Promotion Lowest Satisfaction – Effective Government Leadership

Economic Development - Perception Top Five Industries survey respondents would like to see either expand or locate in Central Arkansas 1.Software Computer Development 2.Professional Services 3.Healthcare / Medical Research 4.Manufacturing 5.Electronics

Economic Development - Perception What does effective Economic Development mean to survey respondents More Jobs in Central Arkansas New Companies opening in Central Arkansas

Economic Development - Perception When it comes to marketing, what is most important to survey respondents Market to industry executives to get them to locate a business in Central Arkansas

Economic Development - Perception What do you believe the Nation’s perception of Central Arkansas to be?

Economic Development - Perception How do the people of Central Arkansas perceive their community?

Economic Development - Perception Central Arkansas’s Biggest Asset 1.Potential 2.Scenic Beauty 3.Affordability

Economic Development - Perception One Word Descriptors Opportunity Potential Eager Comfortable Undiscovered Family Friendly Awesome Sprouting Affordable

Outline Economic Development Survey Demographics Satisfaction Economic Development Perception Workforce Survey Demographics Employment Satisfaction Local Workforce Development Programs Quotes from Economic Developers

Economic Development - Demographics Company Location Employee Residence

Workforce - Demographics What type of product or service does your company provide?

Workforce - Employment How many employees do you currently have?

Workforce - Employment How many employees did you hire last year?

Workforce - Employment How many employees do you plan to hire within the next year?

Workforce - Employment What is the level of difficulty and cost of recruiting outside the region

Workforce - Employment How do you find new employees?

Workforce - Satisfaction What do you consider to be the three greatest strengths of Central Arkansas Workforce? 1. Work Ethic 2. Low Cost 3. Availability

Workforce - Satisfaction What do you consider to be the three greatest weaknesses of Central Arkansas Workforce? 1. Unskilled Workforce 2. Expectations too High 3. Lack of Education

Workforce – Local Workforce Top 3 Rated “Very Important” 1.Work Ethic 2.Productivity 3.Eagerness to Learn / Develop Top 3 Rated “Not Important” 1.Scientific and Engineering 2.Entrepreneurial Skills 3.Diversity Level of Importance to Your Business

Workforce – Local Workforce Top 3 Rated “Very Good” 1.Loyalty 2.Employee Turnover 3.Work Ethic Top 3 Rated “Poor” 1.Entrepreneurial Skills 2.Scientific and Engineering 3.Management Current Status

Workforce – Local Workforce Anticipated need now and up to one year from now Highest Need – MIS / Computer Systems Lowest Need– Scientist / Researcher Current Availability Highest Availability – Administrative Lowest Availability – Scientist / Researcher Quality Highest Quality – Executives Lowest Quality – Scientist / Researcher Occupations in Central Arkansas

Workforce – Local Workforce Which skills, if any, is your workforce lacking?

Workforce – Local Workforce How do you provide training?

Workforce – Development Programs Business and Industry Training Program (BITP) 75% have never heard of BITP 53% rate BITP as having “Good” quality 61% rate BITP as having “No Relevance” 77% think it needs improvement

Workforce – Development Programs Existing Workforce Training Program (EWPT) 61% have never heard of EWPT 44% rate EWPT as having “Good” quality 54% EWPT as having “No Relevance” 78% think it needs improvement

Workforce – Development Programs 1.Computer 2.Technical 3.Communications Top 3 Training Skills that will Benefit your Company

Outline Economic Development Survey Demographics Satisfaction Economic Development Perception Workforce Survey Demographics Employment Satisfaction Local Workforce Development Programs Quotes from Economic Developers

Quotes from Economic Developers Generally speaking, most prospects are very surprised with what they find here. There is a level of sophistication that is unexpected; however, the area is not pretentious either. They tend to be impressed with the way everyone seems to know each other which makes it easy to get things done. Like the diversity of housing options. Cost of Living.

Quotes from Economic Developers We will depend on CAEDA to do our marketing/recrui ting for us.

Quotes from Economic Developers We have an opportunity to do something wonderful here. Everyone needs to recognize the realistic desires of the individual member communities and support those efforts. How great would it be if Central Arkansas had the following to offer: LR with "big city" downtown; Hot Springs - artsy resort community; Conway - cool, young, college town; etc. etc. etc. Some communities may wish to be bedroom communities. My point is that our strength is in our diversity. We have the potential to offer the kind of environment that almost any prospect could want if we support one another and then Central Arkansas wins.

Quotes from Economic Developers CAEDA should seriously consider studying other regional organizations and see what works and doesn't work. Learn from professionals and implement good ideas for this region. Many CAEDA people tend to only look for answer within the walls of Arkansas.

Quotes from Economic Developers We must be cognizant of those smaller communities that need to be continuously educated on the value of this economic development approach. I'm concerned some of them will have pressure to not continue their membership unless they see immediate success.

Quotes from Economic Developers We won't produce results overnight. Success should be judged by development and execution of a strategic marketing plan.

Central Arkansas Economic Development Alliance Thank You