2011 Business Survey
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The 2011 survey of Sumter County businesses confirms a county-wide improvement in the general performance of businesses, and a marked increase in the use of technical support services in daily business operations. The annual, online survey, conducted by e5solutions, Sumter County’s economic developer, took place in March 2011, with results compared to 2010’s similar survey.
When asked this year to rate “The performance of your business in Sumter County,” 76% of respondents ranked it excellent or good, while response to the same question in 2010, showed 65% excellent or good, reflecting an 11% improvement in the satisfaction index of business performance.
Survey respondents revealed a marked increase in internet use and adjusted purpose of usage. Only 2.6% of Sumter businesses now don’t use the internet, a non-usage decrease from 2010’s 3.9% of non-users. When asked to agree or disagree with the statement that “The internet is an important tool for my business,” 92% of respondents agreed, which when compared to the same statement in 2010, is an increase of 8% from 2010’s 84%. Purpose and usage of the internet changed significantly: This year, e-mail moves to the top, with marketing/advertising as no. 2, purchasing and research tied for no. 3, business news no. 4 and banking, now no. 5. Last year, research was no. one, with e-mail no. 2, purchasing No. 3, banking No. 4, and advertising/marketing no. 5.
The Survey reflected Sumter County’s business locations: Wildwood, 34.2%; Bushnell, 21.0%; Lake Panasoffkee, 13.1%; The Villages, 10.5%; Sumterville, 10.5%; and Webster, 7.8%. Sumter business categories in descending order: 1) Hospitality & Lodging; 2) Finance & Insurance; 3) Construction & skilled trades; 4) Retail; 5) Healthcare/social assistance and 6 tied) Food & Restaurant Services & Manufacturing.
Nearly half of Sumter County businesses (44.7%) have been located in the County for more than 10 years, with 50% owned and operated predominately in Sumter. Two thirds (67.2%) of businesses employ up to 10 workers, with 8.6% employing more than 50.
Respondents agree (69%) “Sumter County is the best area in Central Florida to locate and operate a business,” with two thirds (67%) citing “there will not be enough good paying Sumter jobs for my children.” 89% agree “recruiting new high pay jobs requires business and government to work together.”
Excellent or good is the majority response for these Sumter County education programs: the Primary School System, 62%; Secondary School System, 53%; Community College System, 50%.
Vocational and technical education rate poorly, each in the 20% approval range, and job training opportunities reflect high dissatisfaction, with negative numbers over 50%.
Respondents ranked the skills most necessary: 1) Problem Solving; 2) Verbal Communications; 3) Leadership; 4) Telephone Etiquette; 5) Interpersonal; and 6) Writing.
Survey responses were received county wide, validating the results for the entire county.
