Screen Reader Mode Icon
Introduction
The Eastern Carolina Council is requesting your participation in the community response for the development of the upcoming Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) update. Please share your valuable insight and feedback. Input form this survey will assist in creating a 5-year economic development strategy to help guide and better serve our region. It should take 20 minutes to complete. All survey questions are required. Please answer the questions based on your unique perspective and experience. We greatly appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective. We encourage you to complete and share our survey with other staff and community members to ensure full representation.

If you have any questions regarding the survey, please contact David Bone at executivedirector@eccog.org.
 
What is a CEDS?
Simply put, a CEDS is a strategy-driven plan for regional economic development. A CEDS is the result of a regionally-owned planning process designed to build capacity and guide the economic prosperity and resiliency of an area or region. It is a key component in establishing and maintaining a robust economic ecosystem by helping to build regional capacity (through hard and soft infrastructure) that contributes to individual, firm, and community success. The CEDS provides a vehicle for individuals, organizations, local governments, institutes of learning, and private industry to engage in a meaningful conversation and debate about what capacity building efforts would best serve economic development in the region." eda.gov/ceds/

Question Title

* 1. Please select your age group:

Question Title

* 2. Please select your race/ethnicity:

Question Title

* 3. Please select the gender that you identify as:

Question Title

* 4. Please select the county in which you live:

Question Title

* 5. In which counties do you primarily work (select all that apply):

Question Title

* 6. Please identify how long you have lived in the region:

Question Title

* 7. Please select all of the options that apply to you:

Question Title

* 8. What barriers do small businesses in your community face?

Question Title

* 9. If you are a business owner or entrepreneur, what do you need to expand/develop your business? Choose up to three:

Question Title

* 10. What is the best asset in our region’s entrepreneurial community?

Question Title

* 11. How do the following types of infrastructure rate in our region?

  Significant Advantage Somewhat of an Advantage Neutral  Somewhat of a Disadvantage Significant Disadvantage
Broadband
Water & Sewer
Housing
Public Transportation
Road/Highway System
Drive Time to Work
Railroad

Question Title

* 12. What are some specific infrastructure issues that your community faces? (Ex: roads, sewer/water, etc.)

Question Title

* 13. Please rate the following:

  Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
My community has access to high-speed internet
Affordable housing in our region is available and convenient
My community has sufficient public transit options
Redevelopment should be a priority in my community

Question Title

* 14. What are the biggest threats to economic resiliency in your community?

Question Title

* 15. How would you rate the resiliency of your region?

Question Title

* 16. How concerned are you about the following issues and their impact on our region’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and prospects for future growth?

  Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not concerned
Rising interest rates
Prospect of an economic downturn
Rising inequality (income, access)
Availability of skilled labor
Access to global markets
Quality of current infrastructure
Interregional competition for business recruitment
Supply chain disruption

Question Title

* 17. The identification of existing and potential industry clusters is a critical element of a comprehensive economic development strategic plan. Industry "clusters" are strategic groupings of businesses and industries that locate within close proximity of each other, or near a strategic resource, to gain economic benefits. The following clusters have been identified:
  • Manufacturing
  • Agribusiness, fishing
  • Aerospace and defense
  • Healthcare
  • Recreation, hospitality, and tourism
  • Warehousing, logistics, and distribution
  • Professional, technical, and science
What other clusters do you see in the region?

Question Title

* 18. What factors will most significantly influence the region’s potential for economic growth?

Question Title

* 19. There are lots of events and amenities in our region that I enjoy.

Question Title

* 20. If you have any examples of these events, feel free to comment what they might be below:

Question Title

* 21. What positive activities already happening in your community would like to see more of?

Question Title

* 22. What would you like to see in your community that does not exist now?

Question Title

* 23. What are some of your favorite parts of your community?

Question Title

* 24. Investing in human capital ensures that our region is able to develop, retain, and attract talent to drive the local economy. This section seeks to understand the current state of the region's workforce.

  Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
My community has good quality K-12 schools
We have good quality secondary/higher education options in my community.
I know of many jobs available in my community.
The jobs available in my community are quality jobs.
A variety of job training and educational programs are offered to improve job skills.
Employers have access to a skilled labor force.
Our community is attractive to workers aged 25-44.
There is quality childcare available to the workforce.

Question Title

* 25. What would attract a workforce to our region?

Question Title

* 26. Please indicate your agreement or disagreement with the following statement:  “Career and technical education is viewed as an important part of K-12 education.”

Question Title

* 27. What is the number one issue for attracting/retaining high-quality talent?

Question Title

* 28. If you were not born in the Eastern Carolina Region, did you relocate here for:

Question Title

* 29. How well does the Eastern Carolina region meet your expectations in the following areas?

  Very Satisfied  Satisfied Neutral Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied
Family friendliness
Climate
Natural environment
Healthcare
Volunteer opportunities
Entertainment/recreation
Retail
Salary
Arts and Culture
Cost of living
Appeal to young professionals
Local and regional leadership
Growth management
Future economic growth potential
Image as a business destination
Cost of doing business
Small business resources
Image as a visitor destination
Entrepreneurial
Career advancement opportunities
Job availability
Wage levels
Community colleges
Universities
Training/skills building programs
K-12

Question Title

* 30. Successful economic development in the Region means: (Choose up to 3)

Question Title

* 31. Identify three things leaders can do to make the region a better place for residents:

Question Title

* 32. Identify three things leaders can do to make the region a better place for businesses:

Question Title

* 33. What are the region’s top three competitive strengths?

Question Title

* 34. What are the region’s top three weaknesses?

0 of 34 answered
 

T