COMMUNITY NEEDS SURVEY RESULTS

A community needs survey was sent out to the residents and business owners across the IND15RPC region. The survey was open for comment for eight weeks, from late August 2021 to late October 2021. The goal was to evaluate how residents and businesses were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic since March 1, 2020. In total, 323 individuals participated in the survey.

The survey consisted of 57 questions. Survey questions asked participants about changes in employment, access to services, and additional assistance during the pandemic. However, the survey was designed with the intention that respondents would only answer the questions that pertained to them. For example, business owners were asked specific questions related to their business and the changes they experienced since the beginning of the pandemic. Survey respondents who do not own a business would not be given those questions.

Summary Of Results From The Community Needs Survey

Out of the 323 people who participated in the survey, only 48 people (12.4 percent) experienced an employment status change since March 1, 2020. This may indicate that many of the respondents who participated in the survey may have had more stable and resilient jobs during the pandemic, or this could be representative of the region’s overall job market not experiencing much of the impact that other communities across the nation felt. Several trends quickly emerged after reviewing the survey responses in greater detail:

1. The hours survey respondents worked may have changed at their existing place of employment;

2. Respondents gained employment (were previously unemployed); or

3. Respondents lost their existing job only to find a new one.

Of the people who responded to the survey, nine people lost their job and never returned to work for several reasons, including retirement. Secondary sources of income are often helpful to boost household income and make additional money, or to make up for lost wages. In total, 75 respondents indicated they had another form of income which may include odd jobs, additional part-time positions, and government assistance. Overall, these secondary forms of income were helpful to kept individuals or families stabilized or improved their conditions during the pandemic.

The survey started to further clarify conditions for individuals by asking the question, “Which of the following best describes you?” Four options were given which separated the owners/chief executives of a business/organization, seniorlevel employee at a business/organization, middle- or entry-level employee at a business/organization, and unemployed. Depending on how the respondents answered these questions, there were various questions answered by some while others were not asked to. For those who were unemployed (41 total respondents), 21 people were retired while only four lost their job due to COVID-19related reasons.

Respondents who participated in this survey came from all types of employment backgrounds. Agriculture, food, and natural resources; architecture and construction; business management and administration; education and training; finance; government and public administration; health science; hospitality and tourism; human services; information technology; manufacturing; marketing, sales, and service; retail and foodservice; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); transportation, distribution, and logistics; and other businesses and organizations were all represented by those who participated in the survey.

Most people who answered they were in a senior-, middle-, or entry-level job position felt like their employer was doing all they could to support their safety and well-being while working. Of those who said “no,” many people wished that social distancing was practiced more or that there was more of an opportunity to work from home. When asked if they were able to work from home, there was a 49.5 percent and 50.5 percent split for those who could not work from home and those who could work from home, respectively. Many of these respondents felt like their job was secure for the foreseeable future (70.2 percent) while just under 10 percent did not know if they had job security. Additionally, only 30 percent of the senior-, middle-, or entry-level workers were looking for additional ways to earn income.

Of the business owners (chief executives of a business or organization) who responded, there were some positive trends to come out of the survey. Many of those who responded represented businesses with less than 25 employees (37 representatives). Not many of the businesses needed to make significant shifts in their products/services because of COVID-19, but 36.7 percent did anyway. In terms of business operations, no major changes were deployed during the pandemic for 40 percent of the businesses and organizations, but 50 percent of those that made changes, made changes to how their employees operated. These included adjusting in-person shifts, in-person hours worked were reduced, and employees were given the opportunity to work from home. Since the pandemic, the businesses and organizations that responded to the survey have recovered, where only 35 percent of these groups saw their financial situation worsen. Many cited that similar organizations to theirs also experienced similar financial decline since the pandemic. Decrease in customer demand, increased operation costs, and overall employee attendance and ability to hire employees were listed as some of the factors that may have contributed to the organization’s decline. For those businesses that experienced no change, many noted that they were able to receive government financial aid or that they acted creatively to meet customer demand and had good employee attendance with little turnover which is likely why the pandemic had little to no impact on them. About 19 percent of businesses and organizations who responded saw their financial situation improve since the pandemic. Customer demand increased and little employee turnover allowed the organizations to successfully employ workers, keep them happy, and supply others without feeling the effects of the pandemic.

When asked about their daily operations, access to technology, and support for employees and customers, many of the organizations did not seem to be struggling. If a business’s daily operations were impacted, it was usually due to a shortage of products needed for the business to produce materials, or shipping issues. If it was a technologyrelated issue, it was about access to highspeed internet being unavailable where they were located – either because there are no fiber optic cables available or because the internet is too slow and often an unreliable connection.

Of all the businesses who responded to the survey and who applied for COVID-19-related assistance programs (PPP Loan, EIDL Loan, etc.) – every single one was given some assistance during the pandemic. If a business did not apply for help, it was mostly due to not needing assistance (some identified they did not know how to apply for these assistance programs).

Many of the businesses and organizations also felt like they will be able to recover from the effects of the pandemic and economic downturn; if not fully, then somewhat. In addition to this, if the pandemic continues to push on for the foreseeable future, many of the businesses and organizations feel like they would be able to stay in business without additional assistance. Only 18 percent of respondents feel like they would be able to survive for six months or less, while 14 percent do not know.

Overall, respondents are not too worried about their ability to obtain household items or their access to healthcare and medication. Mental health is an important issue for many people across the nation during this time, and it is reflected in the survey where many people cited that they need accessible and affordable options for mental healthcare and emotional support. Similarly, those battling addictions need options to be available, accessible, and to fit within their schedule where they would be able to attend Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings.

Those who are worried about childcare cited that there is a lack of availability that fits their schedule. Although many of the respondents are not worried about childcare, other focus group discussions and Task Force meetings and data suggest that there is a lack of childcare options for working parents, and some of the individuals who participated in this survey are unemployed because they do not have access to childcare and are stay-athome parents.

Although covered for businesses, technology at home big issue for several of the residents. Access to the internet and broadband is not as accessible for residential areas as it is for businesses. There is little to no high-speed internet options available for residents within the region. Several people noted that while internet services may be available, it is slow and unreliable. Almost 20 people indicated that they have no access to the internet where they live, which indicates that the services need to be extended.

Transportation is another large concern. Many people stated they are not worried about their own transportation access, but for those who do not have access to a personal vehicle or need alternative options. Those who have limited or no access to a personal vehicle stated it’s because they cannot afford to buy one, have a vehicle but cannot afford maintenance (including gas), or have a vehicle but it is unreliable. Public transportation in the form of bus service and taxi/ride share service was noted. Sidewalks were also noted by 30 percent of the respondents as a priority for repair and connections with new construction. This could indicate that those people who do not have or use a personal vehicle may need a safe route to get to their destination if they are walking or riding a bicycle.