Area 15 RPC Community Survey

Area 15 Regional Planning Commission Community Economic Development Strategy RPC Survey for Community members

As part of the five-year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for 2023-2028, Area 15 Regional Planning Commission is sending a survey to all residents, business owners and non-profits in the region which includes Davis, Jefferson, Keokuk, Mahaska, Van Buren and Wapello counties. This plan will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Administration (EDA) as the CEDS for the region. CEDS is a very important step to stay on track to economic development for the region. This year, the CEDS will be even more important due to the unforeseen situations that the region and world recently faced due to the pandemic. The probability of such unexpected situations happening will most definitely increase in the future. Through CEDS, our region has an opportunity to be prepared if such events happen in the future and be on track to the development that they would like to see in their communities.

Information gained from this survey will play a key role in the identification of goals and development projects for the region and help our communities when applying for state and federal grant opportunities. This is an opportunity to make your voices heard!

Responses must be submitted by February 3, 2023, to be included in the study.

1. In which city and county do you reside? *This question is required.

2. What sector do you represent? *This question is required.

Community Organization
Economic Development/Business Organization
Private Business Owner
Resident
Other - Write In (Required) Please enter an 'other' value for this selection. * This question is required.

3. How long have you lived in the region? *This question is required.

4. What is your race/ethnicity?
*This question is required.

5. What is your highest degree or level of school completed?
*This question is required.

6. What is your age?
*This question is required.

7. What do you feel are the three best assets or qualities or strengths for your area? What does your community do well? Examples might include "good schools", "quality of life amenities", "agricultural production".
Please list any assets/ strengths that you believe were impacted by covid in your area.
*This question is required.

8. What do you feel are the three most serious weaknesses facing your area? Examples may include aging infrastructure, lack of skilled workforce, etc.
Please list any weaknesses / constraints that you believe were impacted by covid in your area or might impact in the future.
*This question is required.

9. What do you feel are the three best available opportunities for your area that are not being developed currently? Examples may include "recreational areas" or "funding for schools" or "good location for new manufacturing".
Please list any opportunities that you believe were impacted by covid in your area or might impact in the future. *This question is required.

10. What are three specific challenges or potential risks for your area? Examples may include effects of a natural disaster, loss of funding, etc.
Please list any challenges / risks that you believe were impacted by covid in your area.
*This question is required.

11. Is there anything that can be done to improve the school district with which you are most familiar?
*This question is required.

12. What do you think could be done to make your community more attractive for young professionals?

13. Which of the following best describes your current employment status?

Please enter an 'other' value for this selection.

14. Have there been changes to your work arrangement post covid?

15. What kind of work environment do you prefer post covid?

Please enter an 'other' value for this selection.

16. If you are a business owner or a member of an organization, what projects have you completed within the past six months?
*This question is required.

17. If you are a business owner or a member of an organization, please identify local projects or activities you wish to accomplish in the next 12-24 months.
Also note if you will need to identify/obtain funding to accomplish.

18. What collaborations/partnerships do you feel are working well in your area?

19. What collaborations/partnerships would you like to see improved or created in the future?

20. If you are a business owner, was your business affected by Covid?
If yes, in what way?

21. Did you receive any help from the RPC, state, or federal programs. What else would have helped you get your business back on track?

22. Do you know that Area15 RPC can provide help with professional services for city/county projects?

23. Have you utilized/used any help from the Area 15 RPC in the last 5 years. If yes for what projects?

24. Please rate the following aspects of the quality of life, based on your experiences where you live.
5 being the highest and 1 the lowest in terms of the quality of life.

Space Cell	1	2	3	4	5
Overall cost of living	Overall cost of living: 1	Overall cost of living: 2	Overall cost of living: 3	Overall cost of living: 4	Overall cost of living: 5
Diversity of housing options (single-family, multifamily, mixed-use, etc.)	Diversity of housing options (single-family, multifamily, mixed-use, etc.): 1	Diversity of housing options (single-family, multifamily, mixed-use, etc.): 2	Diversity of housing options (single-family, multifamily, mixed-use, etc.): 3	Diversity of housing options (single-family, multifamily, mixed-use, etc.): 4	Diversity of housing options (single-family, multifamily, mixed-use, etc.): 5
Housing affordability	Housing affordability: 1	Housing affordability: 2	Housing affordability: 3	Housing affordability: 4	Housing affordability: 5
Aesthetics and appearance of the community	Aesthetics and appearance of the community: 1	Aesthetics and appearance of the community: 2	Aesthetics and appearance of the community: 3	Aesthetics and appearance of the community: 4	Aesthetics and appearance of the community: 5
Quality of development, planning, and land use	Quality of development, planning, and land use: 1	Quality of development, planning, and land use: 2	Quality of development, planning, and land use: 3	Quality of development, planning, and land use: 4	Quality of development, planning, and land use: 5
Sense of personal and property safety	Sense of personal and property safety: 1	Sense of personal and property safety: 2	Sense of personal and property safety: 3	Sense of personal and property safety: 4	Sense of personal and property safety: 5
Availability of quality health care options	Availability of quality health care options: 1	Availability of quality health care options: 2	Availability of quality health care options: 3	Availability of quality health care options: 4	Availability of quality health care options: 5
Entertainment and recreational amenities for families	Entertainment and recreational amenities for families: 1	Entertainment and recreational amenities for families: 2	Entertainment and recreational amenities for families: 3	Entertainment and recreational amenities for families: 4	Entertainment and recreational amenities for families: 5
Nightlife options for adults	Nightlife options for adults: 1	Nightlife options for adults: 2	Nightlife options for adults: 3	Nightlife options for adults: 4	Nightlife options for adults: 5
Cultural and arts facilities and programs	Cultural and arts facilities and programs: 1	Cultural and arts facilities and programs: 2	Cultural and arts facilities and programs: 3	Cultural and arts facilities and programs: 4	Cultural and arts facilities and programs: 5
Shopping opportunities	Shopping opportunities: 1	Shopping opportunities: 2	Shopping opportunities: 3	Shopping opportunities: 4	Shopping opportunities: 5
Dining opportunities	Dining opportunities: 1	Dining opportunities: 2	Dining opportunities: 3	Dining opportunities: 4	Dining opportunities: 5
Volunteer opportunities	Volunteer opportunities: 1	Volunteer opportunities: 2	Volunteer opportunities: 3	Volunteer opportunities: 4	Volunteer opportunities: 5
Ability to access shops, restaurants, and services without using a car	Ability to access shops, restaurants, and services without using a car: 1	Ability to access shops, restaurants, and services without using a car: 2	Ability to access shops, restaurants, and services without using a car: 3	Ability to access shops, restaurants, and services without using a car: 4	Ability to access shops, restaurants, and services without using a car: 5
Additional comments:	Additional comments:: 1	Additional comments:: 2	Additional comments:: 3	Additional comments:: 4	Additional comments:: 5

25. How can your region build on existing assets that contribute to the quality of life in your region. What amenities according to you, will make quality of life better?

26. If you are a business owner, please rate the following elements of the business climate according to the degree to which each is an advantage or disadvantage to existing and prospective new businesses.

Space Cell	1	2	3	4	5
Local taxes	Local taxes: 1	Local taxes: 2	Local taxes: 3	Local taxes: 4	Local taxes: 5
Provision of economic incentives	Provision of economic incentives: 1	Provision of economic incentives: 2	Provision of economic incentives: 3	Provision of economic incentives: 4	Provision of economic incentives: 5
Cost of permit acquisition	Cost of permit acquisition: 1	Cost of permit acquisition: 2	Cost of permit acquisition: 3	Cost of permit acquisition: 4	Cost of permit acquisition: 5
Ease and speed of permit review process	Ease and speed of permit review process: 1	Ease and speed of permit review process: 2	Ease and speed of permit review process: 3	Ease and speed of permit review process: 4	Ease and speed of permit review process: 5
Code enforcement	Code enforcement: 1	Code enforcement: 2	Code enforcement: 3	Code enforcement: 4	Code enforcement: 5
Cost of utilities	Cost of utilities: 1	Cost of utilities: 2	Cost of utilities: 3	Cost of utilities: 4	Cost of utilities: 5
Cost of labor	Cost of labor: 1	Cost of labor: 2	Cost of labor: 3	Cost of labor: 4	Cost of labor: 5
Cost of health care	Cost of health care: 1	Cost of health care: 2	Cost of health care: 3	Cost of health care: 4	Cost of health care: 5
Passenger air connectivity	Passenger air connectivity: 1	Passenger air connectivity: 2	Passenger air connectivity: 3	Passenger air connectivity: 4	Passenger air connectivity: 5
Affordability of passenger air travel	Affordability of passenger air travel: 1	Affordability of passenger air travel: 2	Affordability of passenger air travel: 3	Affordability of passenger air travel: 4	Affordability of passenger air travel: 5
Interstate accessibility	Interstate accessibility: 1	Interstate accessibility: 2	Interstate accessibility: 3	Interstate accessibility: 4	Interstate accessibility: 5
Roadway connectivity and capacity	Roadway connectivity and capacity: 1	Roadway connectivity and capacity: 2	Roadway connectivity and capacity: 3	Roadway connectivity and capacity: 4	Roadway connectivity and capacity: 5
Availability of water and sewer	Availability of water and sewer: 1	Availability of water and sewer: 2	Availability of water and sewer: 3	Availability of water and sewer: 4	Availability of water and sewer: 5
Availability of high-speed internet	Availability of high-speed internet: 1	Availability of high-speed internet: 2	Availability of high-speed internet: 3	Availability of high-speed internet: 4	Availability of high-speed internet: 5
Availability of quality office space	Availability of quality office space: 1	Availability of quality office space: 2	Availability of quality office space: 3	Availability of quality office space: 4	Availability of quality office space: 5
Availability of industrial land for development	Availability of industrial land for development: 1	Availability of industrial land for development: 2	Availability of industrial land for development: 3	Availability of industrial land for development: 4	Availability of industrial land for development: 5
Availability of skilled labor	Availability of skilled labor: 1	Availability of skilled labor: 2	Availability of skilled labor: 3	Availability of skilled labor: 4	Availability of skilled labor: 5
Availability of business financing	Availability of business financing: 1	Availability of business financing: 2	Availability of business financing: 3	Availability of business financing: 4	Availability of business financing: 5
Enter another option	Other: 1	Other: 2	Other: 3	Other: 4	Other: 5

27. If you are a business owner or entrepreneur, what do you need to expand or develop your business? (Please prioritize your top 3 needs by listing them as 1, 2, and 3)

	Access to Capital
	Help with Licenses / Permits/Regulations
	Employee Training
	Marketing
	Website/ Tech Upgrades
	Business Planning / Counseling
	Street/Façade Improvements
	Networking with similar businesses and industry associations
	Local government business retention/expansion programs
	Other: (explain)_________________________________________________________________
	Other: (explain)_________________________________________________________________
	Other: (explain)_________________________________________________________________

28. Please rank these priorities on a scale of low, medium, or high and please list any additional activities you believe should be prioritized.

Space Cell	Low priority	Medium priority	High priority
Infrastructure improvements	Infrastructure improvements: Low priority	Infrastructure improvements: Medium priority	Infrastructure improvements: High priority
Availability of affordable housing	Availability of affordable housing: Low priority	Availability of affordable housing: Medium priority	Availability of affordable housing: High priority
Housing Rehabilitation	Housing Rehabilitation: Low priority	Housing Rehabilitation: Medium priority	Housing Rehabilitation: High priority
New housing development	New housing development: Low priority	New housing development: Medium priority	New housing development: High priority
Entrepreneur support/small business development	Entrepreneur support/small business development: Low priority	Entrepreneur support/small business development: Medium priority	Entrepreneur support/small business development: High priority
Public services such as libraries, parks, walking trails, etc.	Public services such as libraries, parks, walking trails, etc.: Low priority	Public services such as libraries, parks, walking trails, etc.: Medium priority	Public services such as libraries, parks, walking trails, etc.: High priority
Resources for emergency services	Resources for emergency services: Low priority	Resources for emergency services: Medium priority	Resources for emergency services: High priority
Workforce development/job training	Workforce development/job training: Low priority	Workforce development/job training: Medium priority	Workforce development/job training: High priority
Addition/retention of rural medical services	Addition/retention of rural medical services: Low priority	Addition/retention of rural medical services: Medium priority	Addition/retention of rural medical services: High priority
Retail/Commercial Development	Retail/Commercial Development: Low priority	Retail/Commercial Development: Medium priority	Retail/Commercial Development: High priority
Industrial/Manufacturing Development	Industrial/Manufacturing Development: Low priority	Industrial/Manufacturing Development: Medium priority	Industrial/Manufacturing Development: High priority
Job Creation and Retention	Job Creation and Retention: Low priority	Job Creation and Retention: Medium priority	Job Creation and Retention: High priority
Comprehensive planning/zoning and subdivision ordinances	Comprehensive planning/zoning and subdivision ordinances: Low priority	Comprehensive planning/zoning and subdivision ordinances: Medium priority	Comprehensive planning/zoning and subdivision ordinances: High priority
Urban renewal/revitalization planning	Urban renewal/revitalization planning: Low priority	Urban renewal/revitalization planning: Medium priority	Urban renewal/revitalization planning: High priority
Tourism development/marketing	Tourism development/marketing: Low priority	Tourism development/marketing: Medium priority	Tourism development/marketing: High priority
Historic Preservation	Historic Preservation: Low priority	Historic Preservation: Medium priority	Historic Preservation: High priority
Retention of younger populations	Retention of younger populations: Low priority	Retention of younger populations: Medium priority	Retention of younger populations: High priority
Transportation improvements	Transportation improvements: Low priority	Transportation improvements: Medium priority	Transportation improvements: High priority
Expansion/retention of elderly population services	Expansion/retention of elderly population services: Low priority	Expansion/retention of elderly population services: Medium priority	Expansion/retention of elderly population services: High priority
Environmental improvements (water quality, etc.)	Environmental improvements (water quality, etc.): Low priority	Environmental improvements (water quality, etc.): Medium priority	Environmental improvements (water quality, etc.): High priority
Enter another option	Other: Low priority	Other: Medium priority	Other: High priority

29. What would you like your community/ Region to be in the next 10 years.

30. Any additional comments you would like to make regarding economic development in the area?