Box Butte Co. Business Operators Survey

Summer Business Series with BBDC

Dear Business Owner,

This summer Box Butte Development Corporation (BBDC), with the assistance of the Nebraska Cooperative Business Development Center, will be hosting a series of workshops. In order to better serve you, we're interested in learning more about your business, business idea, and areas of opportunity so we can plan the appropriate workshops.

Workshops will take place in both Alliance and Hemingford, therefore we ask that ALL BOX BUTTE COUNTY BUSINESSES participate. The survey should take about 10 minutes and the window will close in one week.

We here at BBDC really appreciate your time and input. Happy Summer!

Sincerely,

Chelsie Herian

BBDC Executive Director

Question Title

* 1. How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements? (Mark ONE answer for each statement)

	Strongly Agree	Somewhat Agree	Neutral	Somewhat Disagree	Strongly Disagree
I feel safe downtown, even at night	I feel safe downtown, even at night Strongly Agree	I feel safe downtown, even at night Somewhat Agree	I feel safe downtown, even at night Neutral	I feel safe downtown, even at night Somewhat Disagree	I feel safe downtown, even at night Strongly Disagree
I try to buy products and services locally	I try to buy products and services locally Strongly Agree	I try to buy products and services locally Somewhat Agree	I try to buy products and services locally Neutral	I try to buy products and services locally Somewhat Disagree	I try to buy products and services locally Strongly Disagree
I try to direct customers to other local businesses	I try to direct customers to other local businesses Strongly Agree	I try to direct customers to other local businesses Somewhat Agree	I try to direct customers to other local businesses Neutral	I try to direct customers to other local businesses Somewhat Disagree	I try to direct customers to other local businesses Strongly Disagree
I seek ways to cooperate with local businesses	I seek ways to cooperate with local businesses Strongly Agree	I seek ways to cooperate with local businesses Somewhat Agree	I seek ways to cooperate with local businesses Neutral	I seek ways to cooperate with local businesses Somewhat Disagree	I seek ways to cooperate with local businesses Strongly Disagree
The existing local business mix helps my business	The existing local business mix helps my business Strongly Agree	The existing local business mix helps my business Somewhat Agree	The existing local business mix helps my business Neutral	The existing local business mix helps my business Somewhat Disagree	The existing local business mix helps my business Strongly Disagree
The look and feel of downtown helps my business	The look and feel of downtown helps my business Strongly Agree	The look and feel of downtown helps my business Somewhat Agree	The look and feel of downtown helps my business Neutral	The look and feel of downtown helps my business Somewhat Disagree	The look and feel of downtown helps my business Strongly Disagree
My building facade draws customers into my business	My building facade draws customers into my business Strongly Agree	My building facade draws customers into my business Somewhat Agree	My building facade draws customers into my business Neutral	My building facade draws customers into my business Somewhat Disagree	My building facade draws customers into my business Strongly Disagree
Housing for employees is readily available	Housing for employees is readily available Strongly Agree	Housing for employees is readily available Somewhat Agree	Housing for employees is readily available Neutral	Housing for employees is readily available Somewhat Disagree	Housing for employees is readily available Strongly Disagree
Childcare for employees and customers is readily available	Childcare for employees and customers is readily available Strongly Agree	Childcare for employees and customers is readily available Somewhat Agree	Childcare for employees and customers is readily available Neutral	Childcare for employees and customers is readily available Somewhat Disagree	Childcare for employees and customers is readily available Strongly Disagree
My community has a positive image that attracts customers	My community has a positive image that attracts customers Strongly Agree	My community has a positive image that attracts customers Somewhat Agree	My community has a positive image that attracts customers Neutral	My community has a positive image that attracts customers Somewhat Disagree	My community has a positive image that attracts customers Strongly Disagree
My community is an excellent place to have a business	My community is an excellent place to have a business Strongly Agree	My community is an excellent place to have a business Somewhat Agree	My community is an excellent place to have a business Neutral	My community is an excellent place to have a business Somewhat Disagree	My community is an excellent place to have a business Strongly Disagree

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* 2. Please rate the degree to which you are experiencing the following business challenges? (mark ONE answer for each item)

	Major Challenge	Minor Challenge	No Challenge	Don't Know
Conflict with building owner or tenant	Conflict with building owner or tenant Major Challenge	Conflict with building owner or tenant Minor Challenge	Conflict with building owner or tenant No Challenge	Conflict with building owner or tenant Don't Know
Difficulty recruiting or retaining employees	Difficulty recruiting or retaining employees Major Challenge	Difficulty recruiting or retaining employees Minor Challenge	Difficulty recruiting or retaining employees No Challenge	Difficulty recruiting or retaining employees Don't Know
Expensive or unavailable products	Expensive or unavailable products Major Challenge	Expensive or unavailable products Minor Challenge	Expensive or unavailable products No Challenge	Expensive or unavailable products Don't Know
Expensive employee wages or benefits	Expensive employee wages or benefits Major Challenge	Expensive employee wages or benefits Minor Challenge	Expensive employee wages or benefits No Challenge	Expensive employee wages or benefits Don't Know
Expensive rent	Expensive rent Major Challenge	Expensive rent Minor Challenge	Expensive rent No Challenge	Expensive rent Don't Know
Product deliver/loading challenges	Product deliver/loading challenges Major Challenge	Product deliver/loading challenges Minor Challenge	Product deliver/loading challenges No Challenge	Product deliver/loading challenges Don't Know
Insufficient financing	Insufficient financing Major Challenge	Insufficient financing Minor Challenge	Insufficient financing No Challenge	Insufficient financing Don't Know
Insufficient parking	Insufficient parking Major Challenge	Insufficient parking Minor Challenge	Insufficient parking No Challenge	Insufficient parking Don't Know
Internet competition	Internet competition Major Challenge	Internet competition Minor Challenge	Internet competition No Challenge	Internet competition Don't Know
Out-of-town competition	Out-of-town competition Major Challenge	Out-of-town competition Minor Challenge	Out-of-town competition No Challenge	Out-of-town competition Don't Know
Language barriers	Language barriers Major Challenge	Language barriers Minor Challenge	Language barriers No Challenge	Language barriers Don't Know
Poor building condition	Poor building condition Major Challenge	Poor building condition Minor Challenge	Poor building condition No Challenge	Poor building condition Don't Know
Restrictive business regulations	Restrictive business regulations Major Challenge	Restrictive business regulations Minor Challenge	Restrictive business regulations No Challenge	Restrictive business regulations Don't Know
Shoplifting or theft	Shoplifting or theft Major Challenge	Shoplifting or theft Minor Challenge	Shoplifting or theft No Challenge	Shoplifting or theft Don't Know
Unskilled workers	Unskilled workers Major Challenge	Unskilled workers Minor Challenge	Unskilled workers No Challenge	Unskilled workers Don't Know
Vandalism/Graffiti	Vandalism/Graffiti Major Challenge	Vandalism/Graffiti Minor Challenge	Vandalism/Graffiti No Challenge	Vandalism/Graffiti Don't Know
Loitering near business	Loitering near business Major Challenge	Loitering near business Minor Challenge	Loitering near business No Challenge	Loitering near business Don't Know
Perceived Safety	Perceived Safety Major Challenge	Perceived Safety Minor Challenge	Perceived Safety No Challenge	Perceived Safety Don't Know

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 3. Could you use information on or assistance with the following topics? (mark ONE answer for each item)

	Definitely	Probably	Unsure	Probably Not	Definitely Not
Financial Management	Financial Management Definitely	Financial Management Probably	Financial Management Unsure	Financial Management Probably Not	Financial Management Definitely Not
Inventory Management	Inventory Management Definitely	Inventory Management Probably	Inventory Management Unsure	Inventory Management Probably Not	Inventory Management Definitely Not
Business Planning	Business Planning Definitely	Business Planning Probably	Business Planning Unsure	Business Planning Probably Not	Business Planning Definitely Not
Marketing/Branding/Advertising	Marketing/Branding/Advertising Definitely	Marketing/Branding/Advertising Probably	Marketing/Branding/Advertising Unsure	Marketing/Branding/Advertising Probably Not	Marketing/Branding/Advertising Definitely Not
Employee Hiring/Training	Employee Hiring/Training Definitely	Employee Hiring/Training Probably	Employee Hiring/Training Unsure	Employee Hiring/Training Probably Not	Employee Hiring/Training Definitely Not
Customer Service/Hospitality	Customer Service/Hospitality Definitely	Customer Service/Hospitality Probably	Customer Service/Hospitality Unsure	Customer Service/Hospitality Probably Not	Customer Service/Hospitality Definitely Not
Building Improvements	Building Improvements Definitely	Building Improvements Probably	Building Improvements Unsure	Building Improvements Probably Not	Building Improvements Definitely Not
Window displays/Interior Store	Window displays/Interior Store Definitely	Window displays/Interior Store Probably	Window displays/Interior Store Unsure	Window displays/Interior Store Probably Not	Window displays/Interior Store Definitely Not
Internet Service	Internet Service Definitely	Internet Service Probably	Internet Service Unsure	Internet Service Probably Not	Internet Service Definitely Not
E-Commerce/Web Design	E-Commerce/Web Design Definitely	E-Commerce/Web Design Probably	E-Commerce/Web Design Unsure	E-Commerce/Web Design Probably Not	E-Commerce/Web Design Definitely Not
Buying/Selling a Business	Buying/Selling a Business Definitely	Buying/Selling a Business Probably	Buying/Selling a Business Unsure	Buying/Selling a Business Probably Not	Buying/Selling a Business Definitely Not
Assistance with Consumer Survey	Assistance with Consumer Survey Definitely	Assistance with Consumer Survey Probably	Assistance with Consumer Survey Unsure	Assistance with Consumer Survey Probably Not	Assistance with Consumer Survey Definitely Not
Group business training (i.e. workshops, speakers)	Group business training (i.e. workshops, speakers) Definitely	Group business training (i.e. workshops, speakers) Probably	Group business training (i.e. workshops, speakers) Unsure	Group business training (i.e. workshops, speakers) Probably Not	Group business training (i.e. workshops, speakers) Definitely Not

Question Title

* 4. If interested in business training (i.e. workshops, speakers), please rank your preference/availability:

	First Choice	Second Choice	Third Choice	Forth Choice	Fifth Choice
Breakfast Workshop (before 8 a.m.)	Breakfast Workshop (before 8 a.m.) First Choice	Breakfast Workshop (before 8 a.m.) Second Choice	Breakfast Workshop (before 8 a.m.) Third Choice	Breakfast Workshop (before 8 a.m.) Forth Choice	Breakfast Workshop (before 8 a.m.) Fifth Choice
Lunch & Learn	Lunch & Learn First Choice	Lunch & Learn Second Choice	Lunch & Learn Third Choice	Lunch & Learn Forth Choice	Lunch & Learn Fifth Choice
Evening Workshop (after 6 p.m.)	Evening Workshop (after 6 p.m.) First Choice	Evening Workshop (after 6 p.m.) Second Choice	Evening Workshop (after 6 p.m.) Third Choice	Evening Workshop (after 6 p.m.) Forth Choice	Evening Workshop (after 6 p.m.) Fifth Choice
Zoom Room (online virtual face time)	Zoom Room (online virtual face time) First Choice	Zoom Room (online virtual face time) Second Choice	Zoom Room (online virtual face time) Third Choice	Zoom Room (online virtual face time) Forth Choice	Zoom Room (online virtual face time) Fifth Choice
One-on-One	One-on-One First Choice	One-on-One Second Choice	One-on-One Third Choice	One-on-One Forth Choice	One-on-One Fifth Choice

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* 5. How useful to your business are (could be) the following services? (mark ONE answer for each item)

	Very useful	Useful	Useless	Don't know
Cooperative advertising coordination	Cooperative advertising coordination Very useful	Cooperative advertising coordination Useful	Cooperative advertising coordination Useless	Cooperative advertising coordination Don't know
Marketing of Main Street district as shopping destination	Marketing of Main Street district as shopping destination Very useful	Marketing of Main Street district as shopping destination Useful	Marketing of Main Street district as shopping destination Useless	Marketing of Main Street district as shopping destination Don't know
Facade grants	Facade grants Very useful	Facade grants Useful	Facade grants Useless	Facade grants Don't know
Downtown public improvement projects	Downtown public improvement projects Very useful	Downtown public improvement projects Useful	Downtown public improvement projects Useless	Downtown public improvement projects Don't know
Business directories, brochures, maps	Business directories, brochures, maps Very useful	Business directories, brochures, maps Useful	Business directories, brochures, maps Useless	Business directories, brochures, maps Don't know
Web site or Internet resources	Web site or Internet resources Very useful	Web site or Internet resources Useful	Web site or Internet resources Useless	Web site or Internet resources Don't know
Retail event coordination	Retail event coordination Very useful	Retail event coordination Useful	Retail event coordination Useless	Retail event coordination Don't know
Special event coordination	Special event coordination Very useful	Special event coordination Useful	Special event coordination Useless	Special event coordination Don't know

Question Title

* 6. Which technical or financial assistance programs have you used for your business?

	Used in the Past Year	Will use in Next Year	Don't know about	Won't use
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) Tech Assistance	Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) Tech Assistance Used in the Past Year	Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) Tech Assistance Will use in Next Year	Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) Tech Assistance Don't know about	Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) Tech Assistance Won't use
Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) Tech Assistance	Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) Tech Assistance Used in the Past Year	Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) Tech Assistance Will use in Next Year	Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) Tech Assistance Don't know about	Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) Tech Assistance Won't use
Small Business Administration (SBA) Financing Programs	Small Business Administration (SBA) Financing Programs Used in the Past Year	Small Business Administration (SBA) Financing Programs Will use in Next Year	Small Business Administration (SBA) Financing Programs Don't know about	Small Business Administration (SBA) Financing Programs Won't use
Nebraska Historical Tax Credits	Nebraska Historical Tax Credits Used in the Past Year	Nebraska Historical Tax Credits Will use in Next Year	Nebraska Historical Tax Credits Don't know about	Nebraska Historical Tax Credits Won't use
Federal Historical Tax Credits	Federal Historical Tax Credits Used in the Past Year	Federal Historical Tax Credits Will use in Next Year	Federal Historical Tax Credits Don't know about	Federal Historical Tax Credits Won't use
Main Street Facade Grant	Main Street Facade Grant Used in the Past Year	Main Street Facade Grant Will use in Next Year	Main Street Facade Grant Don't know about	Main Street Facade Grant Won't use
Local Options Sales Tax (LB840)	Local Options Sales Tax (LB840) Used in the Past Year	Local Options Sales Tax (LB840) Will use in Next Year	Local Options Sales Tax (LB840) Don't know about	Local Options Sales Tax (LB840) Won't use
Panhandle Rural Electric Membership Assoc. (PREMA) Revolving Loan Fund	Panhandle Rural Electric Membership Assoc. (PREMA) Revolving Loan Fund Used in the Past Year	Panhandle Rural Electric Membership Assoc. (PREMA) Revolving Loan Fund Will use in Next Year	Panhandle Rural Electric Membership Assoc. (PREMA) Revolving Loan Fund Don't know about	Panhandle Rural Electric Membership Assoc. (PREMA) Revolving Loan Fund Won't use
Tax Increment Financing (TIF)	Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Used in the Past Year	Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Will use in Next Year	Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Don't know about	Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Won't use
Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP)	Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP) Used in the Past Year	Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP) Will use in Next Year	Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP) Don't know about	Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP) Won't use
United States Department of Ag (USDA) Rural Development	United States Department of Ag (USDA) Rural Development Used in the Past Year	United States Department of Ag (USDA) Rural Development Will use in Next Year	United States Department of Ag (USDA) Rural Development Don't know about	United States Department of Ag (USDA) Rural Development Won't use

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* 7. Who do you see as your major competition (local or out of town)?

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* 8. What three businesses complement your business the most? (specify up to THREE businesses)

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* 9. How many years has your business: (mark ONE in each column)

	Been in Operation	Been at current location	Been under current ownership
Under 1	Under 1 Been in Operation	Under 1 Been at current location	Under 1 Been under current ownership
1 - 5	1 - 5 Been in Operation	1 - 5 Been at current location	1 - 5 Been under current ownership
6 - 10	6 - 10 Been in Operation	6 - 10 Been at current location	6 - 10 Been under current ownership
11 - 20	11 - 20 Been in Operation	11 - 20 Been at current location	11 - 20 Been under current ownership
Over 20	Over 20 Been in Operation	Over 20 Been at current location	Over 20 Been under current ownership

Question Title

* 10. Do you have plans to expand or reduce operations of your business in the next year? (mark ONE)

I plan to expand products/service or square footage

I plan to expand products/services or square footage at a location outside my current location

I plan to reduce products/services or square footage at my current location

I plan to sell or close my business

I don't have any plans for changes

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* 11. Where do you and your employees typically park? (mark ONE)

On the street (i.e. Box Butte)

On a side street

In a public parking lot

In a private parking lot

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* 12. How many people including owners:

are full-time year-round (30+ hrs/wk)

are part-time year-round (less than 30 hrs/wk)

are seasonal employees

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* 13. What are the three busiest and slowest months of the year for this business? (mark THREE in each column)

	Busiest Months	Slowest Months
January	January Busiest Months	January Slowest Months
February	February Busiest Months	February Slowest Months
March	March Busiest Months	March Slowest Months
April	April Busiest Months	April Slowest Months
May	May Busiest Months	May Slowest Months
June	June Busiest Months	June Slowest Months
July	July Busiest Months	July Slowest Months
August	August Busiest Months	August Slowest Months
September	September Busiest Months	September Slowest Months
October	October Busiest Months	October Slowest Months
November	November Busiest Months	November Slowest Months
December	December Busiest Months	December Slowest Months

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* 14. What are your hours of operation? (12 months out of the year)

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* 15. Do you or would you extend your hours one night per week?

Yes

If yes, which night of the week?

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* 16. During an average week of the year, what are the busiest time for your business? (mark up to FOUR times)

	Before 11 am	11:00 am - 2:00 pm	2:00 pm - 5:00 pm	After 5 pm
Monday	Monday Before 11 am	Monday 11:00 am - 2:00 pm	Monday 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm	Monday After 5 pm
Tuesday	Tuesday Before 11 am	Tuesday 11:00 am - 2:00 pm	Tuesday 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm	Tuesday After 5 pm
Wednesday	Wednesday Before 11 am	Wednesday 11:00 am - 2:00 pm	Wednesday 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm	Wednesday After 5 pm
Thursday	Thursday Before 11 am	Thursday 11:00 am - 2:00 pm	Thursday 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm	Thursday After 5 pm
Friday	Friday Before 11 am	Friday 11:00 am - 2:00 pm	Friday 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm	Friday After 5 pm
Saturday	Saturday Before 11 am	Saturday 11:00 am - 2:00 pm	Saturday 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm	Saturday After 5 pm
Sunday	Sunday Before 11 am	Sunday 11:00 am - 2:00 pm	Sunday 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm	Sunday After 5 pm

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* 17. How many customer transactions do you do per week during (mark ONE in each column)

	Busiest Months	Slowest Months
none, all business via phone or web	none, all business via phone or web Busiest Months	none, all business via phone or web Slowest Months
less than 50	less than 50 Busiest Months	less than 50 Slowest Months
50 -250	50 -250 Busiest Months	50 -250 Slowest Months
250 - 500	250 - 500 Busiest Months	250 - 500 Slowest Months
over 500	over 500 Busiest Months	over 500 Slowest Months

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* 18. How do you reach YOUR consumer today?

	Once per week	Daily	Multi per week	Weekly	Monthly
Direct Mail	Direct Mail Once per week	Direct Mail Daily	Direct Mail Multi per week	Direct Mail Weekly	Direct Mail Monthly
Radio	Radio Once per week	Radio Daily	Radio Multi per week	Radio Weekly	Radio Monthly
Newspaper/Print	Newspaper/Print Once per week	Newspaper/Print Daily	Newspaper/Print Multi per week	Newspaper/Print Weekly	Newspaper/Print Monthly
Website	Website Once per week	Website Daily	Website Multi per week	Website Weekly	Website Monthly
Social Media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram)	Social Media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram) Once per week	Social Media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram) Daily	Social Media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram) Multi per week	Social Media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram) Weekly	Social Media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram) Monthly
Text/E-mail	Text/E-mail Once per week	Text/E-mail Daily	Text/E-mail Multi per week	Text/E-mail Weekly	Text/E-mail Monthly
Online Advertising (pay per click, Google boost, claim your Google listing)	Online Advertising (pay per click, Google boost, claim your Google listing) Once per week	Online Advertising (pay per click, Google boost, claim your Google listing) Daily	Online Advertising (pay per click, Google boost, claim your Google listing) Multi per week	Online Advertising (pay per click, Google boost, claim your Google listing) Weekly	Online Advertising (pay per click, Google boost, claim your Google listing) Monthly

Other (please specify)

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* 19. Which local events (past or present) increases sales volume for your business, either during the event or in the days that follow? (RANK your top five)

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* 20. Do the following traits help make your business more competitive? (make ONE answer for each item)

	A Lot	A Little	Not at All
Your Location	Your Location A Lot	Your Location A Little	Your Location Not at All
Your Parking	Your Parking A Lot	Your Parking A Little	Your Parking Not at All
Your Hours	Your Hours A Lot	Your Hours A Little	Your Hours Not at All
Your Service	Your Service A Lot	Your Service A Little	Your Service Not at All
Your Brand Names	Your Brand Names A Lot	Your Brand Names A Little	Your Brand Names Not at All
Your Quality	Your Quality A Lot	Your Quality A Little	Your Quality Not at All
Your Selection	Your Selection A Lot	Your Selection A Little	Your Selection Not at All
Your Price	Your Price A Lot	Your Price A Little	Your Price Not at All

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* 21. Name up to three businesses you would like to see come to your community? (i.e. specific name or chain)

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* 22. Which buildings could be more productively used to create more economic activity for your community?

A. Location:

B. The space could be better used for:

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* 23. What community recreational assets could support your business if further developed?

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* 24. Address

Name

Company

Address

Address 2

City/Town

State/Province

ZIP/Postal Code

Country

Email Address

Phone Number