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Survey aims to improve Helena Area business retention and growth

Studies have shown that when it comes to regional economic growth, retaining and growing existing businesses is at least as important as bringing new businesses into the local economy.

By JOHN HARRINGTON – IR Business Editor

According to the International Economic Development Council, business retention and expansion is ranked as the top economic development activity in the country by groups charged with growing local and regional businesses.

With that in mind, Gateway Economic Development Corp. is initiating a survey of Helena-area businesses, with the idea of pinpointing the issues that will best help local businesses grow and hold onto their best employees.

"The goal is to use the information to improve the business climate," said Gateway director Sheldon Bartel. "We look at local businesses as a portfolio. You have someone manage your money. We look at this as a step toward managing the local economy. The purpose of the information is to help Gateway form a picture of the needs of businesses in this area of the state."

The first step is a questionnaire Gateway will mail to businesses in its four-county area (Lewis and Clark, Broadwater, Jefferson and Meagher) to solicit cooperation with the survey. Those who respond and indicate interest will get a follow-up visit from a couple of Gateway’s board members, with an eye toward determining what the greatest barriers are in the area to keeping and growing businesses.

Among the questions the survey will ask:

Is the business having trouble with permitting at any level of government?

Is financial support needed to grow the business or stay open?

Do employees need additional training?

Are there local, state or federal laws that are impeding the business’s growth?

Is assistance needed to help reach customers, either within the region, nationally or internationally?

The Great Falls Economic Development Council, that city’s counterpart to Gateway, recently completed its own business retention and expansion survey. That survey of 282 Electric City businesses found that many were unaware of employee training opportunities in place, and the city’s image is considered by some a deterrent to economic growth.

John Harrington can be reached at 447-4080 or [email protected].

http://helenair.com/articles/2003/06/13/helena_top/c01061303_01.txt

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