What Do Local Businesses Think About Newtown?

The Newtown Economic Development Commission wants to know to know what business owners and operators think about doing business locally, and will survey some 1,750 Newtown businesses starting next week to measure their needs and find better ways by which town agencies can help.

The link to the 17-question email poll will be posted Wednesday, September 15, on the EDC website, www.newtown.org, and will remain available for a few weeks.

Questions range from the need for additional public and private support services to the business person’s experience in dealing with the EDC and other town agencies. Also included are statistical questions measuring the respondent’s type of business, size, customer base, and number of   employees.

Ted Kreinik, EDC chairman and owner of Kreinik & Co. LLC Certified Public Accountants, said the EDC believes the town wants to continue to strengthen its efforts to provide a positive environment for a diversity of businesses of all sizes and types.

“We know that we can do a better job helping businesses whether they are large or small; whether they are manufacturing, agriculture, restaurants, retail shops, health care, or personal services and whether they are in factory, stores, offices, or home-based locations,” Mr Kreinik said. “Our survey is designed to gain actionable items — about what’s needed for these businesses to prosper — so we can act on behalf of the citizens of Newtown.”

In addition to the electronic survey, several in-person and phone interviews will be done by staff and individual EDC commissioners to achieve data representative of various business categories. All responses will remain confidential and anonymous. 

The survey, however, also notes that detailed, signed responses are the most useful and asks whether a business wants specific EDC assistance.