Concerns Of Tuolumne County Businesses
Sonora, CA — The Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce has released the results of its annual State of the County survey.
22 percent of all active Chamber members participated in the survey, up from 19 percent last year.
Chamber President and CEO George Segarini says the numbers reflect that the economy is still struggling, but there are some silver linings.
“A very low percentage say they will be downsizing in the next three years, so I think that is encouraging,” says Segarini.
It is also noted that 25 percent of retailers report that business was up last year, while only 19 percent said the same thing one year ago.
The results are listed:
1. Type of Business Reporting
Retail 24%
Service 66%
Mfg. 10%
2. Business this year compared to a year ago
Up Down Same
Retail 25% 50% 25%
Service 33% 55% 12%
Mfg. 0% 86% 14%
Total 28% 57% 15%
3. I intend to expand the business in the near future
Yes No
Retail 44% 56%
Service 15% 67%
Mfg. 29% 71%
Total 35% 65%
4. I intend to hire more employees in the near future.
Yes No
Retail 31% 63%
Service 27% 73%
Mfg. 43% 57%
Total 32% 68%
5. I intend to downsize in the next 3 years
Yes No
Retail 6% 94%
Service 8% 89%
Mfg. 29% 71%
Total 10% 88%
6. The current employee pool has the type of experienced person I’m looking to hire
Yes No
Retail 50% 44%
Service 55% 24%
Mfg. 71% 14%
Total 56% 28%
7. Work ethic is very important to me as an employer
Yes No
Retail 100% 0%
Service 98% 0%
Mfg. 100% 0%
Total 99% 0%
8. I believe the national economy will continue to decline this year (2009)
Yes No
Retail 63% 37%
Service 62% 38%
Mfg. 57% 43%
Total 62% 38%
9. I believe the local economy will expand this year
Yes No
Retail 38% 56%
Service 31% 64%
Mfg. 29% 71%
Total 32% 63%
10. Tuolumne County is a good place to do business
Yes No
Retail 56% 31%
Service 73% 20%
Mfg. 57% 43%
Total 68% 25%
11. The county needs more emphasis on tourism to draw visitors
Yes No
Retail 75% 25%
Service 78% 12%
Mfg. 71% 29%
Total 76% 16%
12. The Chamber needs to pursue economic development in the county
Yes No
Retail 88% 0%
Service 93% 2%
Mfg. 100% 0%
Total 93% 1%
13. The new Economic Development Authority has made a good start
Yes No
Retail 63% 19%
Service 60% 8%
Mfg. 100% 0%
Total 65% 10%
Written by bjhansen@mlode.com.
