Special Edition/2002 Business Assistance Survey Compilation of Significant Facts/September 2002

Pinellas County Economic Development distributed the 2002 Biennial Business Assistance Survey to 10,000 Pinellas County businesses in June. 14% of the businesses returned the survey with their input and suggestions. The survey helps identify business priorities and is used in the budgeting process to help determine Pinellas Economic Development programs and policies. Following are highlights from the survey:

Business Profile/Use of Technology

More businesses are using the Internet and applying its use more comprehensively: 81% of businesses are using the Internet, up 10% from 2000, while 6% more businesses (up to 74% this year) agree the Internet is an important business tool: 58% use it for e-mail; 47% for research; 39% for purchase of products/services/; 34% for marketing; and 31% for business news.

Business Environment

Businesses find the Tampa Bay area business climate attractive with 71% rating the Tampa Bay Area business climate as "Excellent/Good;" 72% agreeing that "Pinellas County is the best area on the West Coast to locate a business;" and 70% agreeing "The future for businesses in Pinellas County is very bright."

Business/Industry Performance

While businesses are satisfied with much of their individual business performance, they have been affected by the recession: 76% rate the quality of their individual busienss performance as "Excellent/Good;" 41% report their industry is in worse shape now than a year ago; and 33% report their revenues are down compared to a year ago.

Education and Job Training

County businesses remain concerned about the quality and availablity of job training programs with 35% rating the availability of job training programs as "Excellent/Good;" 29% agreeing there is an adequate number of job training programs; and 28% agreeing they are satisfied with the quality of existing programs. Primary and secondary public education has slightly higher ratings but still elicits some concerns: 43% rate the public schools as "Excellent/Good;" 38% rate public secondary schools as preparation for college as "Excellent/Good;" and only 29% agree high school graduates are educationally qualified to enter the workforce. Post secondary education receives high marks: 74% rate the community college system as "Excellent/Good" and nearly the same amount - 73% - rate the college university system as "Excellent/Good."

Employment

Businesses' views on employment remain relatively unchanged: with 68% reporting about the same number of full-time employees now compared to a  year ago, versus 20% with more workers and 15% with fewer workers. Only 26% rate the availability of qualified workers/employees as "Excellent/Good."

Transportation

There's room for improvement as just 19% of businesses rate the auto traffic flow as "Excellent/Good."

Communcation with Local Government

Government responsiveness remains important: 52% agree that County government employees treat businesses as valued customers while 49% agree that City government employees treat them as valued.

Business Forecast

County businesses look to the future with optimism: Over one half, 54%, expect next year's revenues to be better than this year's, and over one third, 35%, expect their full-time employment to be higher a year from now. 38% are considering upgrading/expanding existing locations and 50% are considering adding new products/services.

For detailed comparative data, contact (727) 464-7344.