Record-Journal
08-22-2007, 11:47 PM
Quality of life brings businesses to town, survey says
Editor’s Note: The survey story that ran in error on page 19 of Wednesday’s Record-Journal was an old article. Below is the story that was supposed to run.
By Leslie Hutchison, Record-Journal staff
CHESHIRE — There’s a lot to like about doing business in Cheshire — just ask the more than 200 companies that responded to the town’s first online survey.
Results show quality of life is a key reason that companies have chosen to locate here. Other important issues include the town’s access to highways, a favorable business climate and good support from town officials.
More than 200 businesses responded for a 20 percent return rate — twice as many than an average mail survey.
Perhaps one of the more unexpected responses concerns high-speed Internet connections, with 84 percent of survey-takers calling it important for their business.
The survey was conducted in conjunction with the town’s Economic
Development Commission and the Connecticut Economic Resource Center. A
27-page summary was distributed Tuesday morning to the development commission.
“The answers to issues regarding the responsiveness of municipal government (and) real estate availability are invaluable in helping the town and also the Chamber identify local competitive strengths and weaknesses,” according to the narrative of the survey’s results.
The survey also revealed information about future plans of local companies. “A number of businesses are thinking of expanding,” said Kathleen Gannon, chairperson of the survey subcommittee. However, 54 percent of those businesses report they cannot expand at their current facilities.
Many of those possible expansions are from companies whose real estate leases will expire in the next year. “We want to make sure they stay here, to maintain that business,” Gannon said. “Some need a new location or expansion.”
One solution to the expansion needs of businesses could be flex-space office condos, said David Pelletier, chairman of the development commission. Another suggestion involved carving out space from existing buildings. “Can we identify landlords who are willing to subdivide space?” asked Robert DeJongh, liaison from the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission.
“I hope those that want to expand will step forward and call” the town, Pelletier said. “We need knowledge first, then we can let businesses be aware” of available office space.
Other findings in the survey show 75 percent of the responding businesses were not aware of the town’s tax incentive program. That program allows tax abatements for eligible developments in Cheshire.
It was also determined that only one-quarter of the survey-takers had participated in the Business Appreciation Day that’s sponsored by the development commission and the chamber every two years to recognize the local businesses.
One of the least-liked things about doing business in Cheshire is the traffic in town, particularly on Route 10, it was reported. Other responses in that category included taxes and the cost of real estate.
The survey results will be reported to the Town Council on Sept. 11. The second phase of the effort will begin this fall, Gannon said, and include an outreach to businesses, with support coming from the Cheshire Chamber of Commerce.
lhutchison@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2214
Editor’s Note: The survey story that ran in error on page 19 of Wednesday’s Record-Journal was an old article. Below is the story that was supposed to run.
By Leslie Hutchison, Record-Journal staff
CHESHIRE — There’s a lot to like about doing business in Cheshire — just ask the more than 200 companies that responded to the town’s first online survey.
Results show quality of life is a key reason that companies have chosen to locate here. Other important issues include the town’s access to highways, a favorable business climate and good support from town officials.
More than 200 businesses responded for a 20 percent return rate — twice as many than an average mail survey.
Perhaps one of the more unexpected responses concerns high-speed Internet connections, with 84 percent of survey-takers calling it important for their business.
The survey was conducted in conjunction with the town’s Economic
Development Commission and the Connecticut Economic Resource Center. A
27-page summary was distributed Tuesday morning to the development commission.
“The answers to issues regarding the responsiveness of municipal government (and) real estate availability are invaluable in helping the town and also the Chamber identify local competitive strengths and weaknesses,” according to the narrative of the survey’s results.
The survey also revealed information about future plans of local companies. “A number of businesses are thinking of expanding,” said Kathleen Gannon, chairperson of the survey subcommittee. However, 54 percent of those businesses report they cannot expand at their current facilities.
Many of those possible expansions are from companies whose real estate leases will expire in the next year. “We want to make sure they stay here, to maintain that business,” Gannon said. “Some need a new location or expansion.”
One solution to the expansion needs of businesses could be flex-space office condos, said David Pelletier, chairman of the development commission. Another suggestion involved carving out space from existing buildings. “Can we identify landlords who are willing to subdivide space?” asked Robert DeJongh, liaison from the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission.
“I hope those that want to expand will step forward and call” the town, Pelletier said. “We need knowledge first, then we can let businesses be aware” of available office space.
Other findings in the survey show 75 percent of the responding businesses were not aware of the town’s tax incentive program. That program allows tax abatements for eligible developments in Cheshire.
It was also determined that only one-quarter of the survey-takers had participated in the Business Appreciation Day that’s sponsored by the development commission and the chamber every two years to recognize the local businesses.
One of the least-liked things about doing business in Cheshire is the traffic in town, particularly on Route 10, it was reported. Other responses in that category included taxes and the cost of real estate.
The survey results will be reported to the Town Council on Sept. 11. The second phase of the effort will begin this fall, Gannon said, and include an outreach to businesses, with support coming from the Cheshire Chamber of Commerce.
lhutchison@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2214