Economic Development Survey

The purpose of this online survey is to assess the attitudes and opinions of Cuyahoga County citizens toward various economic development activities proposed for Cuyahoga County and local communities in Cuyahoga County. The survey is designed to be anonymous and participation is voluntary Thank you for your participation. A comments/questions box is provided at the end of this survey. You will be able to request a final summary of survey responses from a separate spalsh page after your survey is submitted. This will ensure confidentiality of your survey responses.

1. Home Zip: Please provide the Zip Code of your residence

2. Employment Status: What is your employment status?

3. a) If employed, please provide your sector of employment?

b. If employed, please provide zip code of work site

4. Economic Development Activities

Cuyahoga County government can undertake many policies and programs to encourage job creation in Cuyahoga County. Please indicate whether you support or oppose Cuyahoga County government using each of the following economic development tools or strategies

	Strongly Support	Support	Oppose	Strongly Oppose	No Opinion
Increase business outreach services and communication with local businesses to identify problems and opportunities.
Increase referrals to local non-profit organizations providing services and assistance to local businesses.
Assign county economic development representatives to meet with local businesses and coordinate economic development services in each district of county council.
Reduce local and county property and sales taxes.
Develop tax revenue sharing models to encourage economic development cooperation between local municipalities.
Increase marketing and promote tourism from other areas.
Expand county land bank program through acquiring abandoned property and accelerating clean-up of industrial sites.
Increase job training funds and support for community college training to improve workers skills
Reduce the number and type of county permits and inspections affecting local businesses

5. Public Improvements

Cuyahoga County government can increase spending on various public improvements to encourage job creation in Cuyahoga County. Please indicate whether you support or oppose Cuyahoga County government increasing spending on each of the following areas.

	Strongly Support	Support	Oppose	Strongly Oppose	No Opinion
Increase spending on infrastructure projects that clean up and beautify streets.
Increase spending and support for arts and cultural amenities
Increase spending on sewer and water infrastructure projects
Increase spending on major bridge and street projects
Increase spending on parks, public space and recreation

6. Financial Incentives

Cuyahoga County government can provide various financial incentives or loans to businesses to encourage job creation in Cuyahoga County. Please indicate whether you support or oppose Cuyahoga County government using the following incentives to create jobs.

	Strongly Support	Support	Oppose	Strongly Oppose	No Opinion
Provide development financing to businesses for projects in bordering counties in exchange for tax/revenue sharing
Provide financial incentives for businesses to train workers for new jobs.
Provide loans or financial incentives to businesses to redevelop or to relocate into abandoned/ underperforming areas.
Provide incentives for businesses to develop affordable housing
Provide financial incentives to home-owners to modernize homes or increase energy efficiency
Provide financial incentives or loans to new healthcare businesses and expand existing healthcare businesses
Provide financial incentives or loans to businesses developing energy-related or “green” products

7 Economic Development Projects

There are several large projects underway or proposed in Cuyahoga County that may involve significant governmental activity or support. Please indicate whether you support or oppose the use of county resources or borrowing capacity by Cuyahoga County to advance the following projects

	Strongly Support	Support	Oppose	Strongly Oppose	No Opinion
New casino development
Medical mart & convention
Renovation of Public Hall
Public Square and Mall Redevelopment
Flats East Bank Neighborhood
Lakefront Development in Downtown Cleveland
Reconstruction of the West Shoreway into a boulevard
Relocation of Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port
Dredging of Port of Cleveland and Cuyahoga River
Development of an Aquarium
Closing/conversion of Cuyahoga County Airport to other uses
Closing/conversion of Burke Lakefront Airport to other uses
Opportunity Corridor highway connection from I-490 to University Circle
University Circle Housing
Development of additional bike trails and facilities
Development of wind energy turbines in Lake Erie
Ferry service to Canada

8. Regionalism

Several organizations have suggested that greater cooperation, collaboration or consolidation of municipal authorities in Cuyahoga County could contribute to more economic growth. Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements:

	Strongly Agree	Agree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree	No Opinion
There are too many local government units in Cuyahoga County
Having many local governments is a major barrier to job creation in Cuyahoga County
Having many local government encourages greater citizen involvement and makes local governments more accountable and responsive to citizens
Consolidation of small municipalities into larger governmental bodies in Cuyahoga County is needed to get greater efficiency and lower government costs
Consolidation of small municipalities is not needed to lower costs if adjacent local governments collaborate and structure agreements share some services and facilities
Consolidation of small municipalities into larger governmental bodies in Cuyahoga County is needed to provide greater equity and fairness in funding adequate public services
“Regionalism” is a political strategy for less affluent communities to gain additional tax resources from more affluent communities.
“Regionalism” is a political strategy to reduce the political power of minority residents.

10. Most Important Activity

What are the most important activities, programs, strategies or initiatives for Cuyahoga County government to pursue in the next 5 years in order to foster job creation and personal income growth in Cuyahoga county?

11. Personal Characteristics

Are you: Male Female

What is your age group?

Is your family income: $50,000 or less More than $50,000 Prefer not to answer

12 . Voting

Are you registered to vote as a

a. Did you vote in the last presidential election?

Yes
No

b. Are you likely to vote in the November 2012 election?

Yes
No