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The Business Retention Survey has been conducted approximately every two years since 1998 to identify and manage economic development issues and to assist the City in formulating pro-business policies. By better understanding issues that are important to business owners and operators, St. Charles can maintain its reputation as a good place to do business. The survey seeks to understand two things: the opinions of local business owners and operators about their experiences while doing business in the City; and upcoming plans for facilities, whether to expand, re-locate, or to remain at the current location.
The survey was conducted in January 2009, as a reflection of the 2008 business year. For the first time, this survey was distributed via e-mail to local businesses. The response rate was 26%, the highest response rate for the survey since 2000. In 2006, a 20% response rate was achieved, compared to 20% in 2004, 24% in 2002, and 41% in 2000.
|
1998 |
2000 |
2002 |
2004 |
2006 |
2008 |
|
| Excellent |
26.8% |
36.6% |
42.7% |
28.4% |
32.3% |
27.9% |
| Good |
53.6% |
50.9% |
50.0% |
60.0% |
47.6% |
43.3% |
| Fair |
14.3% |
8.0% |
4.9% |
8.4% |
11.1% |
13.9% |
| Poor |
3.6% |
1.8% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
2.8% |
3.4% |
| Very Poor |
1.8% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
1.1% |
2.1% |
1.0% |
| No Response |
0.0% |
2.7% |
2.4% |
2.1% |
4.2% |
10.6% |
The responsiveness of St. Charles city employees:
Rating criteria remained the same from 2000 to 2002, making the 2002 survey results comparable to the 2000 survey results. Rating criteria and percentages for each are shown as follows:
|
1998 |
|
2000 |
2002 |
2004 |
2006 |
2008 |
||
| Completely Responsive |
16.1% |
Very
Responsive |
19.6% |
28.0% |
11.6% |
20.8% |
25.0% |
|
| Very Responsive |
33.9% |
Responsive |
33.0% |
39.0% |
49.5% |
33.7% |
20.2% |
|
| Adequately Responsive |
26.8% |
Average |
23.2% |
14.6% |
10.5% |
18.8% |
18.8% |
|
| Not Very Responsive |
8.9% |
Unresponsive |
2.7% |
0.0% |
1.1% |
2.4% |
3.4% |
|
| Unresponsive |
1.8% |
Very
Unresponsive |
0.9% |
0.0% |
2.1% |
2.1% |
1.4% |
|
| Don't Know |
8.9% |
Not
Sure/No Opinion |
18.8% |
18.3% |
21.1% |
17.4% |
20.2% |
|
| No Response |
3.6% |
No
Response |
1.8% |
0.0% |
4.2% |
4.9% |
11.1% |
|
In What Ways Has Being Located in St. Charles Been Beneficial to your Business?
