Businesses asked for thoughts on economy

After seeking shoppers' opinions, Yuba City is now turning to business owners for ideas on boosting economic development.

About 75 businesses have supplied information but Economic Development Manager Darin Gale hopes more will speak up. The survey is scheduled to end Monday, but Gale said he will likely extend the deadline so that more business owners have an opportunity to respond.

The results should help the city better understand the needs of local employers, whether small proprietors or large companies, he said.

"One of the most important aspects of our economic development work plan is the extension and expansion of existing businesses," he said.

Gale anticipated a lot of negative comments, but the responses have been surprising so far, he said.

"Even though the economy is weak right now, people seem to have more comment on the advantages and disadvantages of doing business in Yuba-Sutter than the disadvantages," he said.

And of those that have responded, 51 percent have been in business for more than 10 years, which shows strength in the community, Gale said. The majority of those businesses employ 10 people or less.

Another interesting response is many comments are focused on the day-to-day realities of being a local business owner instead of the economy, he said. Gale wants to use the results to connect businesses with local services and other programs to help in whatever areas they are struggling.

The survey is anonymous unless business owners request to be contact and provide information.

Business owners can answer as few or many questions as they like. The questions include specifics about the business and employment, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of doing businesses in the Yuba-Sutter area.

Sales, recent business activity levels and plans for the future are also inquired about, as well as what image business owners would like to see the city develop for itself as a business center.

The results are intended to complement those of the shopper survey, which was taken by about 700 residents, Gale said.

"It's not scientific, per se, but I think there are some interesting things that come out of it," he said. "People are being extremely honest in answering the questions."

The survey can be found on the city's Web site, www.yubacity. net.

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Ashley Gebb at 749-4724 or agebb@appealdemocrat.com.