By Lauri Lee
Northside Economic Development Coalition
Forty-five to fifty volunteers walked and drove to more than 150 businesses in a half-day blitz Sept. 8 to personally survey businesses as part of the Northside Business Walk, a one-day business retention and expansion outreach initiative to businesses in our community. Facilitated by Blueprint Events LLC., the Business Walk consisted of a survey that asked owners and managers how business is going, what they like about doing business on the Northside, what could be improved, and what was the effect of the closing of the Oscar Mayer plant on their businesses.
Business Walk participants included Northside leaders and business owners, city staff, and economic development professionals and other business leaders from around the city.
Survey responses will help local leaders get the pulse of how businesses are doing, build stronger relationships, and help foster a more prosperous business climate. Over 40 businesses will receive a follow-up contact at their request.
“Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) initiatives are foundational to Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP) efforts to grow the Madison region’s economic competitiveness,” said Paul Jadin, president of MadREP. “Our BRE goals include fostering relationships and communication with employers, addressing company needs, assisting with growth opportunities, and identifying potential businesses to recruit that would support existing businesses.”
A simple, easy-to-read report will be generated from the survey responses that can used to strengthen the Northside business community. A summary of the survey results will be presented at the Northside Business Association meeting held at the Esquire Club, Tuesday, Oct. 11, as well as at a Northside Economic Development Coalition luncheon at the end of October. The report will also be posted on the Northside Planning Council website at http://northsideplanningcouncil.org.
The Northside Business Walk was funded by the City of Madison and MGE with support from MadREP as well as Northside support from the Northside Economic Development Coalition, Northside Planning Council and Northside Business Association.