Minnesota House of Representatives

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SMALL BUSINESS OWNER INPUT WANTED


October 2009

Dear Small Business Owner:

There is no one group of Minnesotans who understand our economy’s current challenges more than small business owners like you. Your entrepreneurship, innovation, and strong business traditions have long served as the foundation of our state’s economic success, employing countless Minnesotans in every industry.

Any effort to restore Minnesota’s struggling economy must address the unique challenges facing our small business community. The health of your business, the jobs you create and maintain, and the quality of life you help maintain in every Minnesota community are central to the future of our state and our economic recovery.

For that reason, the legislature has started a new Small Business Caucus – an alliance of Democrats and Republicans committed to making Minnesota a better place to do business. Through sensible, innovative policy reforms based on your input and constructive partnership, we are committed to putting your interests to work at the State Capitol.

We can’t do that work alone. That’s why we are asking you to fill out the accompanying survey. It will give you a chance to articulate your concerns, share your ideas, and contribute directly to this new and important effort.

Now, more than ever, it is critical for all of us to work together to make Minnesota’s economy stronger. We look forward to partnering with you in that effort.

Members of the Small Business Caucus
Minnesota House of Representatives


Your participation in this survey will help the legislature serve Minnesota’s small business community better. We greatly appreciate your input. Please respond to the following questions and return this survey by December 31, 2009. Thank you for your time, and all you do for your community and Minnesota’s economy.


Name:   
* Business Name:   
* Address:   
* City:   
* Zip:   
* State:   
E-mail Address:   
Phone:   
Years in Business:   
Number of Full Time Employees:   
Part Time Employees:   

* Required fields:		  


1. How would you describe your business? (Check all that apply)
Retail
Restaurant or other hospitality business
Professional services
Repair and maintenance
C-Corporation
S-Corporation
Sole Proprietor
LLC
Other:(Please Specify):  


2. How did your business get started? Why did you choose to do business in Minnesota?


3. Have you ever considered moving your business to another area of the state? If so, why did you consider it? Why did you stay?


4. Which of the following actions have you taken in response to the recession? (Check all that apply)
Laid off workers
Cut back scheduled hours for employees
Reduced purchase of outside contract services
Increased hours rather than hire new workers
Frozen or cut wages
Frozen or cut benefits
Increased contracting instead of adding staff
Other:(Please Specify):  


5. When you have questions about your business, what resources do you use (i.e. attorneys, CPAs, local chamber, Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), other business owners, etc.)?


6. Has your business received any governmental assistance in the past five years (i.e. small business loans, energy improvement loans or grants, financial help for business expansion or the hiring of employees, counseling, etc.)?
Yes
No


If so, what kind of assistance did your business receive? How did you find out about the program?


7. What kind of government assistance do you think is most helpful? Least helpful? (Please be specific)


8. What impact does regulation have on your business? Are there any regulations that are particularly helpful? Are there any regulations that are particularly harmful?


9. If you see taxes as a barrier to starting or expanding a business in Minnesota, what specific taxes are barriers? What level should those taxes be in order to permit you to start or expand your business?


10. Please rank from 1-8 (1 being the most important and 8 being the least), which of the following are important for the success of your business.
Good transportation system
Well-educated workforce
Close proximity to customers
Healthy tax environment
Business subsidies
Good lending environment
Government grants
Low-interest loans


11. In your opinion, does Minnesota have a healthy lending market? How difficult or easy is it for a small business to get a loan? How could Minnesota’s lending market improve?


12. Does your lender discuss state, federal, or local programs that may help your business?


13. Do you offer employer subsidized health insurance for your employees?
Yes
No


Why or why not?


14. Have you found purchasing health insurance for your employees difficult?
Yes
No


Why or why not?


15. What can the state do to make purchasing health insurance easier for small businesses?


16. What is the number one thing that the legislature could do to help small businesses succeed in Minnesota? What is the number one thing that the legislature should stop doing that impedes small businesses from succeeding in Minnesota?


Thank you again for sharing your thoughts and insights. We look forward to continuing this important partnership with the small business community. Working together, we can make Minnesota an even better place to do business.