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2027-2031 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Survey
General Questions
1.
Which city, town, or village do you live in or represent?
2.
Which zip code do you live in or represent?
*
3.
What is your age group?
(Required.)
Under 18
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
*
4.
What best describes your annual household income range?
(Required.)
Less than $25,000
$25,000-$49,999
$50,000-$74,999
$75,000-$99,999
$100,000-$149,999
$150,000 or more
5.
What best describes your role in the community?
Resident
Business owner
Farmer/agricultural producer
Elected official
Community organization member
Educator/school representative
Healthcare provider
Student
Retired
Economic development professional
Nonprofit representative
Other:
6.
Which industry, sector, or field best describes your primary employment or work experience?
Agriculture/Agribusiness
Manufacturing
Healthcare
Education
Retail/Small Business
Construction
Hospitality/Tourism
Government/Public Service
Transportation/Logistics
Technology/Remote Work
Currently Unemployed and Seeking Work
Not Currently in the Workforce (e.g., retired, caregiver, homemaker)
Other:
Community Challenges & Economic Conditions
7.
Based on your observations, how would you describe the current trend in your community?
Growing
Stable
Declining
Unsure
Please explain your response:
8.
How would you rate the current economic condition of your community?
(Scale 1-5)
1: Very Weak
5: Very strong
Clear
*
9.
What are the three most important issues facing your community?
(Select up to 5)
(Required.)
Childcare availability
Affordable housing
Healthcare access
Youth retention
Mental health services
Food access
Transportation
Workforce shortages
Economic development
Education
Broadband/internet access
Aging population
Aging infrastructure (roads, water, sewer)
Population decline
Downtown/business district decline
Lack of business growth
Disaster recovery or weather-related impacts
Other:
Workforce & Business Development
10.
Are employers in your area able to find qualified workers?
Yes
Somewhat
No
Don't know
*
11.
What workforce challenges are most significant in your community?
(Select up to 3)
(Required.)
Lack of skilled workers
Lack of childcare
Low wages
Limited job training opportunities
Transportation barriers
Limited housing for workers
Aging workforce/retirements
Difficulty attracting or retaining young professionals
Other:
12.
Do transportation barriers limit your ability to access employment, job training, or other workforce opportunities?
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree
13.
Are your current wages adequate to cover your personal or family's monthly living costs and basic needs?
Yes
No
Not sure
Please explain your response:
*
14.
Which industries have the most growth potential in your area?
(Select up to 3)
(Required.)
Agriculture/Agribusiness
Manufacturing
Healthcare
Tourism/Agritourism
Retail/Small business
Construction
Renewable energy
Technology/Remote work
Logistics & Transportation
Other:
*
15.
What types of support are not currently available that you believe would be helpful to grow new businesses?
(Select up to 3)
(Required.)
Access to funding/Loans
Workforce training
Marketing & promotion
Better broadband/Internet
Childcare support
Downtown revitalization
Technical assistance/Business coaching
Reduced regulations
Tourism development
Other:
Food Access
16.
How far do you typically travel to purchase groceries or fresh food?
Less than 5 miles
5-10 miles
11-20 miles
21-30 miles
More than 30 miles
17.
To what extent are fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and other nutritious foods available in your community?
Not available at all
Slightly available
Moderately available
Mostly available
Readily available
*
18.
Which of the following would most improve food access in your community?
(Select up to three)
(Required.)
More grocery stores
Lower food prices
Mobile food markets
Farmers' markets
Improved transportation options
Expanded food assistance programs
Community gardens
Online grocery delivery services
Other:
19.
During the past 12 months, how often were you concerned that your household would run out of food before you could afford to buy more?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
very often
Housing
*
20.
What types of housing are most needed in your community?
(Select up to 3)
(Required.)
Single-family housing
Affordable housing
Rental housing
Senior housing
Workforce housing
Multi-family housing/Apartments
Student housing
Other:
*
21.
What are the biggest barriers to housing in your community?
(Select up to 3)
(Required.)
High housing costs
Lack of available homes/Rentals
High interest rates
Limited new construction
Low wages/Income
Strict lending requirements
Down payment costs
Zoning or land-use restrictions
Poor housing quality
Other:
*
22.
What housing solutions should be prioritized?
(Select up to 3)
(Required.)
Build more affordable housing
Encourage workforce housing
Down payment assistance programs
Rehabilitation of older homes
Support first-time homebuyers
Expand rental housing options
Update zoning policies
Senior housing development
Other:
23.
What purchase price range do you consider affordable for housing?
Less than $100,000
$100,000-$150,000
$150,000-$200,000
$200,000-$250,000
$250,000-$300,000
$300,000-$350,000
$350,000-$400,000
More than $400,000
Housing is not affordable currently
Childcare & Family Support
24.
How would you rate childcare availability in your community?
(Scale 1-5)
1 = Very Limited
5 = Easily Available
Clear
*
25.
What childcare challenges are most significant?
(Select up to 3)
(Required.)
Not enough providers
High cost of care
Long waitlists
Limited infant/Toddler care
Limited evening/Weekend care
Staffing shortages
Transportation challenges
Other:
Healthcare
26.
How would you rate the access to healthcare services in your community?
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Very Poor
*
27.
What healthcare services are most needed locally?
(Select up to 3)
(Required.)
Primary care (general doctors)
Mental health services
Dental care
Pharmacy
Senior/Elder care
Emergency services
Maternal & child health
Substance abuse treatment
Preventive wellness programs
Specialty care
Telehealth services
Other:
28.
How far do you typically travel for healthcare services?
Less than 10 minutes
10-30 minutes
30-60 minutes
More than 1 hour
I rarely access healthcare
Education
*
29.
Which education or workforce training opportunities are currently missing but would be most valuable to residents?
(Select up to 3)
(Required.)
Skilled trades
Healthcare training
Technology/IT training
Agriculture-related training
Business & entrepreneurship
Adult education/GED
ESL/Language learning
Job readiness training
Other:
30.
What barriers prevent people from pursuing higher education or job training?
(Select all that apply)
Cost/Tuition
Lack of financial aid
Distance to colleges or training centers
Family or work responsibilities
Lack of awareness of programs
Limited program availability
Transportation issues
Internet access challenges
Other (please specify):
Community Growth & Future Opportunities
*
31.
Which opportunities should be prioritized to strengthen your local economy?
(Select up to 3)
(Required.)
Small business development
Workforce training
Housing development
Childcare expansion
Downtown revitalization
Tourism/Agritourism
Broadband expansion
Manufacturing/Industrial growth
Recreation & community amenities
Renewable energy projects
Other:
*
32.
Which community initiatives would you support?
(Select up to 3)
(Required.)
Farmers markets/Local food systems
Agritourism activities
Co-working or remote work space
Business incubators/Startup program
Community festivals/Events
Outdoor recreation development
Youth engagement program
Arts & cultural activities
Other:
33.
What would make your community more attractive to workers, families, and businesses?
(Select as many as apply)
More housing options
Better childcare access
Stronger job opportunities
Improved infrastructure
Better healthcare access
Recreational amenities
Parks and trails
Stronger schools
Better broadband/Internet
More entertainment/Community events
Other:
Community, Marketing, & Community Identity
34.
Where do you usually get information about local events, businesses, or community news?
(Select all that apply)
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Local newspaper
Radio/TV
Community websites/Newsletters
Word of mouth
Flyers/Posters
Community organizations
Other:
Community Resilience & Natural Disasters
35.
Has your community been affected by natural disasters or severe weather in the past five years?
(Select all that apply)
Flooding
Tornadoes/Severe storms
Drought
Wildfires
Extreme heat/Cold
Power outages
Hail/Wind damage
None/Other:
*
36.
What disaster-related challenges concern you most?
(Select up to 3)
(Required.)
Damage to homes/Property
Road or infrastructure damage
Agricultural impacts
Water supply concerns
Emergency response limitations
Insurance costs
Economic/Business disruption
Power/Internet outages
Public health concerns
Housing recovery
Other:
37.
Are the road conditions and transportation infrastructure in and around your community adequate to meet local needs?
Yes
No
If you selected "No," please write the specific issues or improvements needed:
38.
How optimistic are you about the future of your community over the next 5 years?
Very pessimistic
Somewhat pessimistic
Neutral
Somewhat optimistic
Very optimistic
39.
Is there anything else you would like local leaders and organizations to know about your community's future needs or opportunities?
Thank you for participating in this survey and helping shape the future of Southeast Nebraska communities.
