Gateway CDC Seeks Info on Business Needs

The Gateway Community Development Corporation is circulating a survey designed to gauge the needs of businesses in Brentwood, North Brentwood and Mount Rainier. 

Dubbed the Business Needs Assessment Survey, the resulting report will help guide the CDC's "economic development and business recruitment and retention strategies," according to an announcement from the Gateway CDC. 

The Gateway CDC will be partnering with the Mount Rainier Business Association to distribute the survey to businesses within those towns. 

The Business Needs Assessment Survey builds on an earlier survey conducted by the Mount Rainier Business Association.

"That gathered great information from the business community," reads the announcement. "From these responses MRBA has offered more streetscape beautification programs and is working on more Internet marketing programs that expand awareness of local businesses' products and services."

The survey asks business owners about a number of categories, from their awareness of area development plans, to the number of employees, to plans for expansion or contraction, to revenue information. The survey also asks business owners about their need for assistance in accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, management and operations, and contracting.  

The responses to the survey will be kept confidential, and no identifiable information about any business will be released. Instead, the responses will be compiled into reports for each of the three municipalities covered by the Gateway CDC. 

The survey is available on-line. The Gateway CDC will also be distributing print copies of the survey to be filled out. The survey must be completed by April 30. 

As a perk, businesses which participate in the survey will be eligible for a one-time-only free advertisement space in the Gateway CDC newsletter.