The state of small business in Flint and Genesee County is going under the microscope in early 2021.
The Flint & Genesee Chamber’s Economic Development unit is working the Ann Arbor-based consultant EntryPoint to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities confronting local businesses and entrepreneurs. The first order of business will be the distribution of a comprehensive survey to area businesses to establish a baseline on what the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats are in the marketplace.
“We’ll be seeking input from about 600 businesses to get good cross-section of the local business community” said Tyler Rossmaessler, the Chamber’s director of economic development. “We want to better understand the unique challenges of businesses as well as the challenges that are unique to our community.”
Input will be sought from all industry sectors, from “from inventors to retail shops to manufacturers,” Rossmaessler said.
The Chamber is working in tandem with EntryPoint to leverage the firm’s expertise in developing comprehensive research reports that deliver insights on strengths and challenges facing companies, communities, and the broader region. The research findings will be used to inform future initiatives and programs to strengthen Flint & Genesee’s business community. Survey respondents will also get access to the data and other survey findings, said Rossmaessler.
In the meantime, the Chamber is working with local business and economic development partners to ensure both a wide distribution of survey and a high return of participation by businesses. The partners include the Michigan Small Business Development Center, City of Flint Economic Development, Flint Township Economic Development, 100K Ideas and Fenton & Linden Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The survey will be distributed in mid-January.