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Mid-Minnesota Development Commission (MMDC)
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Update Survey

Every five years, the United States Economic Development Administration (EDA) requires each designated economic development district to update their Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The CEDS can be thought of as our four-county region's economic road map. It is the mechanism by which economic development districts are approved by the EDA. Without this important designation, our region's stakeholders are unable to access infrastructure and other federal dollars.

This survey is divided into four separate sections. In each section, you will be asked to indicate how much you agree or disagree with a statement. You will also be provided the opportunity to indicate if you're simply not sure.

Your responses to this survey will be used to inform our new, five-year strategy. Thank you for participating!

- Mid Minnesota Development Commission.
1.Which county are you from?(Required.)
HUMAN CAPITAL - The Human Capital section of this survey focuses on how well our region does at growing, attracting, and retaining skilled workers by investing in people through education, training, entrepreneurship, quality-of-life improvements, and other related strategies.

Please indicate to what extent you agree or disagree with each statement. If you're unsure for any statement, just check the "I don't know / I'm not sure" option.
2.Our region has enough workers with the skills we need to meet the needs of existing employers.
3.Our region should do more to retain our young people after graduation (or college) to support our workforce.
4.Our region should do more to attract new workers and residents from other areas.
5.We need to do more to welcome and support new workers and their families, regardless of where they’re from.
6.Our employers invest enough time and money in employee training to advance the skills of current and future workers.
7.Our region is good at leveraging the knowledge and experience held by our retirees, in mentorship, training, and other workforce support roles.
8.Our region is good at promoting our positive attributes (i.e., marketing) to attract workers and their families.
9.Our region does a good job of delivering business training to current and aspiring entrepreneurs/business owners.
10.Students and other job seekers have good access to quality, affordable career training, for fields in which we have a demand for workers.
11.Our schools (secondary and college) and employers are well-aligned. to meet our workforce needs.
12.Our secondary schools provide enough hands-on learning opportunities for students, in a variety of career pathways.
13.Do you have other thoughts that you'd like to share related to how our region attracts and supports our human capital (workers and their families)?
ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS - The Economic Competitiveness section of this survey focuses on our region's ability to encourage business growth by providing a quality business climate, sufficient access to capital, and support for business innovation. It also focuses on how well our region reduces barriers to business growth.

Please indicate to what extent you agree or disagree with each statement. If you're unsure for any statement, just check the "I don't know / I'm not sure" option.
14.Our region is a good place to start and grow a business.
15.Regulatory processes are clear, efficient, and predictable for businesses in our region.
16.Taxes, fees, and permitting costs are comparable with those in competing regions.
17.Businesses in our region have sufficient access to financial resources (e.g., financing, local grants and incentives) to offset startup and/or expansion costs.
18.Our region is good at promoting the advantages of doing business in our region.
19.Our region supports, acknowledges, and rewards socially and environmentally responsible businesses.
20.Our region is good at actively pursuing trade and development opportunities with entities from outside our region.
21.Bioenergy and other agricultural innovations are effectively leveraged to create new business opportunities in our region.
22.CareerForce locations, business incubators, chambers of commerce, and other supporting organizations are well utilized by, and accessible for, our region’s businesses.
23.Do you have other thoughts that you'd like to share related to how our region works to provide a good environment and resources for the business community?
COMMUNITY RESOURCES - The Community Resources section of this survey asks you to consider how well our region works to build and support strong, vibrant, inclusive, and resilient communities through leadership development, tourism promotion and support, the development and maintenance of quality public spaces, the sharing of cultural assets, and other activities that support a high standard of living.

Please indicate to what extent you agree or disagree with each statement. If you're unsure for any statement, just check the "I don't know / I'm not sure" option.
24.Our region actively works to develop and support new community leaders.
25.Arts and culture are supported and meaningfully contribute to our region’s economic vitality.
26.Our region’s communities are good at effectively leveraging tourism to support our economy.
27.Our region’s downtowns/city centers and main streets are vibrant and welcoming places to live, work, and visit.
28.Our region’s public spaces enhance community identity and contribute to a good quality of life.
29.Our region’s historical and cultural assets are preserved, enhanced, and shared in ways that, along with providing enrichment, support our economy.
30.Collaboration among local governments, nonprofits, and civic organizations is strong in our region.
31.Community engagement is encouraged and valued by our local decision-makers.
32.Our communities support healthy lifestyles and provide access to quality health and health-related resources.
33.Our region offers a wide variety of opportunities for leisure time, dining, shopping, and entertainment.
34.Our region’s parks, lakes, waterways, and natural resources are well maintained and promoted.
35.Our community investments reflect the needs of both current and future residents.
36.Do you have other thoughts that you'd like to share on our region's community resources?
Foundational Assets - The Foundational Assets section of this survey focuses on how well our region ensures long-term economic success by investing in things like essential infrastructure, housing, and broadband. It also asks you to consider how well our region and its communities work to build partnerships, cooperate, and support sustainable growth.

Please indicate to what extent you agree or disagree with each statement. If you're unsure for any statement, just check the "I don't know / I'm not sure" option.
37.All of our residents and businesses have good, reasonably-priced access to broadband/high-speed internet services.
38.Infrastructure investment is well-coordinated across jurisdictions to stretch dollars and/or maximize impact.
39.Public and private partners effectively collaborate on infrastructure projects.
40.The region has an adequate supply of housing that our workers, and the workers we want to attract, can comfortably afford.
41.Our communities are taking an active role to increase their housing stock and address housing challenges.
42.Our region’s transportation infrastructure supports workforce mobility and business operations.
43.Our region’s transportation services are adequate to support workforce mobility and business operations.
44.Cooperation and resource sharing are strategies effectively used by our local government units to reduce local costs and improve efficiency.
45.Our region’s utility infrastructure is reliable and will support future growth.
46.Do you have other thoughts you'd like to share on our region's support of foundational assets?
Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. Your assistance is greatly appreciated!

- MMDC