eFORUM Results

In what capacity are you here today?

%

Large business (>500 employees worldwide)

15

Small business (<500 employees)

29

Education

6

Interested citizen

10

Elected official

8

Government representative

7

Chamber/association/not-for-profit

21

Other

4

What is your home county?

%

Baldwin

31

Clarke

4

Escambia

5

Mobile

48

Monroe

5

Washington

3

Other

5

In your opinion, the most important trend driving the economy in the next 10 years is going to be:

%

Tax policies

15

Aging of the Baby Boom generation

34

Global developments (e.g. terrorism)

28

Technology innovation

20

Other

3

What is the most significant roadblock to economic development in the region?

%

Corporate downsizing

9

Skilled workforce

30

Investment in R&D

2

Access to early stage venture capital

7

Community will

26

Current state of the economy

22

Other

4

In your opinion, what is the first step in attracting new businesses to the region?

%

A skilled workforce

36

Advanced telecommunications

3

Efficient transportation

8

Excellent schools

37

Safe neighborhoods

3

Quality health care

2

An appealing civic life

7

Other

3

In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing entrepreneurs?

%

Cash flow

28

Current economic conditions

11

Finding and keeping high quality employees

19

Financing

25

Managerial duties

6

Sales

7

Other

2

I don't know

1

Which of these would make the biggest difference in promoting entrepreneurship?

%

Eliminate infrastructure barriers to capital access, social networks, etc

36

Enhance the skills and capacity of support organizations

5

More entrepreneurship classes for colleges

8

Inspire students toward business and entrepreneurship

10

Inspire students toward science, technical majors and entrepreneurship

11

Mentoring program for entrepreneurs

22

Promote strong role models

6

Other

2

Does your community have an active strategy to help local entrepreneurs?

%

Yes

28

No

46

Unsure

25

Entrepreneurs are born, not made

%

Strongly agree

18

Agree

22

Unsure

3

Disagree

41

Strongly disagree

17

Entrepreneurs are gamblers

%

Strongly agree

22

Agree

52

Unsure

2

Disagree

20

Strongly disagree

3

Entrepreneurs are lone rangers

%

Strongly agree

7

Agree

39

Unsure

6

Disagree

42

Strongly disagree

7

Entrepreneurs are money-driven

%

Strongly agree

20

Agree

37

Unsure

3

Disagree

35

Strongly disagree

4

Technology is behind entrepreneurship

%

Strongly agree

3

Agree

27

Unsure

10

Disagree

52

Strongly disagree

9

Will you now go back and ensure that your community is encouraging and supporting entrepreneurs?

%

Yes

90

No

10

RECOMMENDATIONS/ACTION STEPS: The following recommendations were developed in breakout sessions, then prioritized on a scale from 1 (least effective) to 9 (most effective). The number to the right of each recommendation reflects its average score on that 9 point scale. Therefore, the higher the average, the more effective a recommendation is seen to be.

Recommendations - 1: Innovation & Strengthening Our Existing Businesses

Facilitate a systematic approach for understanding the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing existing businesses in SW Alabama

6.5

Facilitate the linking of existing businesses to market opportunities, available incentives and other available resources.

7.0

Support initiatives to increase the availability of venture capital and a system to better link regional businesses to those resources

6.7

Increase demand for Alabama products by developing trade adjustment strategies that support existing businesses.

6.3

Appreciate the role of tourism in SW Alabama's economy and support initiatives that provide incentives for its growth.

6.9

Recommendations - 2: Expanding Opportunities for Minority & Woman-Owned Business

More access to and/or knowledge of financial assistance and capital resources

7.0

Educational opportunities to prepare individuals to start, manage and grow in business

7.2

Regional meeting of elected officials, CVB & Chamber leaders to design and implement support mechanisms for small businesses

6.2

Regional networking opportunities to bring businesses with needs together with minority and woman-owned businesses

6.5

Access to affordable health care and other insurance benefits for employees of minority and woman-owned businesses

7.1

Recommendations - 3: Workforce Development in a Knowledge-based Society

More broadly develop apprenticeship programs for all trades

7.4

Consolidate workforce development agencies into two units - administrative & education

6.0

Launch a statewide marketing campaign to build awareness of career-center activities

6.2

Initiate a regional approach for creating a workforce development system

7.2

Allocate state money for incumbent worker training in literacy skills

5.6

Organize a K-12 one-stop tutoring system

6.1

Recommendations - 4: Attracting and Creating New Entrepreneurs & Businesses

Create a network of small business incubators to share resources for economic efficiency

6.7

Address venture capital funding challenges and remote decision-making by creating an SBA office in the region

6.7

Plant entrepreneurial seed in young people & extend opportunities to the entire community

6.7

Develop infrastructure and provide access to community resources to attract new businesses

7.7

Expand international trade & tourism opportunities

7.2

Provide more support for existing businesses

7.1

Increase the role of education at all levels in training new entrepreneurs and attracting/supporting new businesses

7.7

Seek a unified regional vision and plan of action

7.6