Is Our Community Business Friendly? [Bedford, VA] Survey

Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs

Everyone wants to live in a thriving community, and successful local businesses are a key ingredient to achieving that goal. We care about local business and want to learn more about what you need to succeed in Bedford!

Your participation in this survey is completely anonymous and voluntary.
Your responses will be used to learn more about what it is like to do business from a business owner/entrepreneur's perspective.
This survey was designed to assist communities in evaluating the business climate to take action and solve issues for entrepreneurs & existing businesses.
The information collected in this survey will be compiled and reported in summary.

1.Accessible Information
In your opinion, how well does your City provide clear and accessible information for navigating local, county, state, and federal business requirements?

Not At All

Adequate

Very Well

N/A

2.Business Licenses
In your opinion, how easy is it for a new business to obtain and afford a business license through the City?

Not Easy At All

Adequate

Very Easy

N/A

3.Vendor Requirements
In your opinion, how easy is it for a new business to meet all vendor requirements and submit a bid to work with the City?

Not Easy At All

Adequate

Very Easy

N/A

4.Access to Resources
In your opinion, how well does your City connect entrepreneurs to relevant resources, support organizations, and assistance programs?

Not At All

Adequate

Very Well

N/A

5.Concerns & Needs
In your opinion, how well does the City listen to entrepreneurs and small businesses to understand their concerns and address their needs?

Not At All

Adequate

Very Well

N/A

6.Regulation & Legislation - Local Level
What local policy, regulation, or process do you feel is the biggest roadblock to opening or doing business in your community?

7.Regulation & Legislation - State Level
What state level policy, regulation, or process do you feel is the biggest roadblock to opening or operating a business?

8.Regulation & Legislation - Federal Level
What federal level policy, regulation, or process do you feel is the biggest roadblock to opening or operating a business?

9.Expansion Plans - Business Services
Do you plan to expand your business services within the next year?

Yes

Unsure

N/A

If Yes, what assistance do you need to support your efforts?

10.Expansion Plans - Customer Base
Do you plan to expand your business customer base within the next year?

Yes

Unsure

N/A

If Yes, what assistance do you need to support your efforts?

12.Infrastructure Concerns
Do you have any infrastructure concerns at or for your facility? (airline, highways, roads, public transit, rail, snow removal, etc.)

Yes

Unsure

N/A

If Yes, please describe your infrastructure concerns.

13.Technology Concerns
Do you have any technology concerns at or for your facility? (cellular, internet, telecommunications, etc.)

Yes

Unsure

N/A

If Yes, please describe your technology concerns.

14.Barriers - Business Growth
Are there any barriers to business growth in this community?

Yes

Unsure

N/A

If Yes, please describe the barriers you face.

15.Relocation
Have you ever considered relocating due to the processes, policies, permitting, or other regulatory requirements with the city?

Yes

N/A

If Yes, where to and why have you considered relocating?

16.Additional Businesses
What other businesses would you like to see in Bedford that would benefit your business?

18.Doing Business - Positives
List positives of doing business in your City/County.

19.Doing Business - Negatives
List negatives of doing business in your City/County.

20.Business Location
What attracted you to open your business in your location?

21.Business Friendly Envirsonment
What is local government doing or not doing to promote a business-friendly environment?

22.Chamber of Commerce
Are you a member of the Chamber of Commerce?

Yes

If No, what has been the major barrier to your participation?

If Yes, what has been the biggest benefit from participating in the chamber?

24.Additional Comments
If there are additional topics that you’d like to discuss that were not covered in this survey, please add them below.