Why Wall Rocks Series – #10 We Care About Our Businesses!

You may have recently received an email from Wall Economic Development (WEDC) requesting you fill out a “Business Retention and Expansion Survey.” Before you delete that email and think, “Oh, just another survey,” let’s talk about what exactly a Business Retention and Expansion Survey is, why it is important and why we ask the questions we do.

What is the purpose of a Business Retention and Expansion Survey? 

Maintaining contact and staying updated on the changes, updates and needs of Wall’s local businesses is one of the WEDC’s top priorities. We value “growing our own,” and are always searching for ways to help our local businesses maintain sustainability, expand or find access to more information.

WEDC has been conducting Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) Surveys since January 2016. BR&E Surveys are used to better understand the challenges facing local businesses, build relationships, learn about business ideas and successes and provide educational resources.

WEDC’s 2020 BR&E goals are to retain 100 percent of current businesses and help 10 percent or more local businesses expand. In order to reach these goals, we have to know how we can help your business!

Why is a BR&E Survey so important?

BR&E Surveys are a vital communication and connection piece between economic development and local businesses. The information from BR&E Surveys informs WEDC of business concerns and ideas. Without the surveys, WEDC can’t know if you are struggling with workforce recruitment and retention, succession planning or employee housing. Are you looking at expanding your business by purchasing a new piece of land Wall? Is your business concerned about state legislation or local decisions? Do you want to start a business or take your business to the next level, but need a little coaching? If WEDC is aware of your needs, we can help connect to resources, gather information and help you move your business forward. If we do not know your needs, we cannot help you make your business goals a reality.

Why do we ask so many questions?

Contact Information: We need to know who you are so we can contact you if need be. Your contact information will not be shared and your answers will be kept anonymous.

How’s Business: How are things REALLY going? Be honest! Was it a bad year? WEDC would love to meet and find out if we can help avoid a repeat. Was it great? How can WEDC help make sure next year is even better?

What’s Up With Workforce: What workforce do you have? What workforce do you need? What skills do you want? How can WEDC help with employee attraction, engagement, retention and training?

Expansion: Are you interested in expanding? If so, what do you need? If not, what is holding you back? How can WEDC help you connect with expansion resources?

SWOT: What are the strengths of doing business in Wall? How can we help make those even stronger? What are the weaknesses associated with doing business in Wall. What can we do together to turn those into strengths? What opportunities arise from doing business in Wall? How can we create more of them? What are threats to your business in Wall? What can we do to mitigate risk?

What do you think about Wall: How would you rate City services, permitting, financing, utilities, etc.? What works well and what doesn’t work so well? How can WEDC engage local, state and federal decision makers to improve Wall’s business climate?

What are your ideas: What ideas do you have for Wall? The ideas can be business related, community related or random. Do you want to see a certain type of business, event or program in Wall? Do you have marketing, social media or workforce ideas? Let us know!

Let’s Meet!

WEDC would love to have a follow-up conversation with you concerning your business questions, ideas and concerns. If you are interested in meeting with WEDC, please click “yes” on your survey response and we will set up a meeting time.

How do you participate?

All you have to do is click the following link, take about five minutes and submit the survey! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BDXP5QK

As always, thank you for being such a great community. It is because of you we have it all in Wall!

Cheyenne McGriff
WEDC Executive Director
(605) 279-2658
walledd@gwtc.net