4 June 2004

Hutt City To Survey Businesses

Hutt City Council is to survey city businesses to understand issues around doing business in Hutt City and to gauge their level of satisfaction with key Council economic development strategies.

Kim Kelly, General Manager Strategic Development, said the survey would also explore how the business sector expects the city to change over the medium term and the responsiveness of Council to their issues and concerns.

"This is the first time the Council has conducted a survey like this and we're hoping for a large response. The aim is to repeat it every two years to ensure our strategies and objectives are aligned with business sector needs as far as possible."

"Council has made a considerable investment in a proactive economic development strategy and this survey will help us better understand business needs, which we can use to improve and strengthen the relationship between Council and the business sector," said Kim Kelly.

"The survey also asks businesses to suggest activities that they believe would further improve the business environment of the city.

"Obviously there are cost implications for any additional activities, but a key objective of the survey is to reinforce the message that Council is committed to developing a business friendly environment and is listening to business concerns.

"We also want to understand where business sees potential barriers to their growth and their plans for developing their businesses."

Business Satisfaction survey forms will be mailed to all businesses in the week beginning 7 June. If businesses do not receive a survey form they should contact Rowan Ferguson on 570 6666 or email rowan.ferguson@huttcity.govt.nz

ENDS

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