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2026 Fox Cities Economic Outlook Survey
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the local economy and how it impacts your business!
1.
What Industry is your business in?
Manufacturing
Business & Professional Services
Retail, Hospitality, Transportation
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate
Nonprofit, Government, Education
Construction
Healthcare
Other
2.
How many people does your business employ?
Sole proprietor
1-10
11-25
26-99
100 – 250
251 – 499
500 or more
3.
Thinking of the year your business has had in 2025, would you rate each of the following as being higher, the same as, or lower than 2024?
Higher
Same
Lower
Gross Sales (Revenue)
Higher
Same
Lower
Profits
Higher
Same
Lower
Employment
Higher
Same
Lower
Capital Investment
Higher
Same
Lower
4.
Looking ahead to 2026, do you expect each of the following to be higher, the same as, or lower than 2025?
Higher
Same
Lower
Gross Sales (Revenue)
Higher
Same
Lower
Profits
Higher
Same
Lower
Employment
Higher
Same
Lower
Capital Investment
Higher
Same
Lower
5.
With the current economic outlook in mind, what is your company's PRIMARY growth strategy over the next 12 months?
Grow existing markets
Enter new markets
Increase productivity
Expand margins
Data management / optimization
Digital transformation
Mergers & Acquisitions
Strengthen management
Diversify products
Other (please specify)
6.
Compared to other US cities of similar size, how would you rate the Fox Cities as a place to do business?
Excellent
Good
Average
Below Average
Poor
7.
What is most beneficial about doing business in the Fox Cities?
Worker productivity / work ethic
Cost of doing business
Proximity to larger markets
Housing availability for employees
Talent retention
Talent attraction
Local infrastructure
Other (please specify)
8.
What is your biggest challenge with doing business in the Fox Cities?
Worker productivity / work ethic
Cost of doing business
Proximity to markets
Housing availability for employees
Talent retention
Talent attraction
Local infrastructure
Other (please specify)
9.
Which of the following do you feel should be prioritized over the next 2-3 years to improve the Fox Cities economy?
Workforce development and job creation
Building a talent pipeline for businesses
Aligning educational programs with local employer needs
Increased business attraction efforts
Expanding STEAM (science/technology/education/arts/math) programs in schools
More support for small and medium-sized businesses
Affordable housing
Childcare
Increased advocacy for businesses at the state and national levels
AI Adoption / Digital Transformation
Other (please specify)
10.
How would you rate the economic vitality of the Fox Cities?
Excellent
Good
Average
Below Average
Poor
11.
How would you rate the economic vitality of the Nation?
Excellent
Good
Average
Below Average
Poor
12.
Do you feel we as a nation will enter a recession …
Within the next 6 months
In 6-11 months
In 12 months or later
Not at all
We are already in one
13.
Where is your company at in its Generative AI Journey?
Incorporating it into our strategy
Experimenting with it
Reading and talking about it
Too soon to ell
Other (please specify)
14.
On a scale of 0 to 10,
How likely is it that you would recommend doing business in the Fox Cities to a friend or colleague?
0 for Not at all likely, 10 for Extremely likely
Not at all likely
Extremely likely
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
15.
Why did you give this score?
