Chamber of Commerce survey results

The following are numerical results from the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce's membership survey on whether the City is 'open for business':

************************************* Open for Business

Summary Survey Results - January 2004

PART 1 - BUSINESS START-UP/RELOCATION

#1. Did you start-up or relocate your business to Sault Ste. Marie in the last 5 years?

30% - Yes 70% - No

#2. Did you relocate your business to Sault Ste. Marie?

22% - Yes 78% - No

If yes, were you recruited or approached by a city representative or an EDC representative?

33% - Yes - EDC Representative 33% - No 33% - No response

If yes, how did Sault Ste. Marie's information package and approach compare to other competing cities?

No comment

#3. How would you best describe your start up experience as it pertains to city services?

(Note: Multiple choices were sometimes noted)

9% - They took the initiative to go over and above 18% - They were courteous and walked me through the process 9% - I was able to speak with the necessary people in a timely fashion 64% - I received adequate service 9% - I experienced numerous roadblocks 0% - I experienced untimely delays 0% - I found it frustrating

#4. On a scale of 1 to 5, how would you rate your start up experience as it pertains to city services?

1 (Excellent)- 8% 2 - 23% 3(Adequate) - 46% 4 - 23% 5(Poor) - 0%

PART 2 - ONGOING BUSINESS OPERATIONS

1. What has been your experience in your business dealings with the following:

Algoma Health Unit

54% of respondents have had business dealings with this Unit.

Of those: 27% excellent, 27% in between, 40% adequate, 6% in between, 0% poor.

Majority in the upper range. General satisfaction with level of service.

Building and Planning Division

74% of respondents have had business dealings with this division.

Of those: 25% excellent, 15% in between, 30% adequate, 15% in between, 15% poor.

Majority in the upper range. General satisfaction with level of service.

City Council

74% of respondents have had business dealings with Council.

Of those: 35% excellent, 5% in between, 40% adequate, 10% in between, 10% poor.

Majority in upper range. Quite satisfied with level of service.

Community Services Parks & Recreation

58% of respondents have had business dealings with this department.

Of those, 31% excellent, 19% in between, 50% adequate, 0% below.

All respondents ranked adequate or better. Very satisfied with level of service.

Economic Development Corporation

70% of respondents have had business dealings with this organization.

Of those, 26% excellent, 11% in between, 47% adequate, 5% in between, 11% poor.

Majority in upper range. Quite satisfied with level of service.

Engineering Division

60% of respondents have had business dealings with this division.

Of those, 56% excellent, 6% in between, 25% adequate, 6% in between, 6% poor.

Over half gave an excellent rating - results speak for themselves.

Finance (tax & license division)

68% of respondents have had business dealings with this division.

Of those, 26% excellent, 5% in between, 58% adequate, 0% in between, 11% poor.

Over half rated adequate. General satisfaction with level of service.

Finance (purchasing)

41% of respondents have had business dealings with this division.

Of those, 8% excellent, 17% in between, 50% adequate, 0% in between, 25% poor.

Majority in upper range but poor percentage notable. General satisfaction.

Fire Department

55% of respondents have had business dealings with this department.

Of those, 67% excellent, 13% in between, 20% adequate, 0% below.

Well over half rated excellent. None below adequate. Very satisfied.

Legal Department

59% of respondents have had business dealings with this department.

Of those, 38% excellent, 19% in between. 31% adequate, 6% in between, 6% poor.

Majority in upper range. Quite satisfied with level of service.

Police Services

75% of respondents have had business dealings with this department.

Of those, 43% excellent, 19% in between, 28% adequate, 0% in between, 10% poor.

Majority in upper range. Quite satisfied with level of service.

Public Works (works & traffic)

71% of respondents have had business dealings with this department.

Of those, 35% excellent, 10% in between, 45% adequate, 5% in between, 5% poor.

Majority in upper range. General satisfaction with level of service.

Public Works (transit & parking)

52% of respondents have had business dealings with this department.

Of those, 14% excellent, 21% in between, 57% adequate, 0% in between, 7% poor.

Majority in upper range. General satisfaction with level of service.

PUC Services

79% of respondents have had business dealings with this organization.

Of those, 45% excellent, 9% in between, 27% adequate, 9% in between, 9% poor.

Majority in upper range. Quite satisfied with level of service.

#2. On a scale of 1 to 5, how "Open For Business" is Sault Ste. Marie?

1 Definitely - 12% 2 - 12% 3 Somewhat - 44% 4 - 20% 5 Not At All - 12%