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At what geographical level may a BR&E program be conducted?
Could we implement a BR&E program on our own?
What kind of businesses can be surveyed?
What does it cost to implement the program?
What role does the local BR&E Coordinator play?
Do participants who have completed the Ohio BR&E Initiative recommend it?
Will the Ohio Initiative BR&E staff meet with us if we have additional questions?
Q: At what geographical level may a BR&E program be conducted?
The BR&E Survey Program may be conducted at the county, multi-county, or sub-county level.
Recent efforts have involved an 8-county region
in eastern Ohio and suburbs of urban counties.
A large metro central city neighborhood program
is currently underway.
Q: Could we implement a BR&E program on our own?
The Ohio BR&E Initiative Annual Membership option is designed for
communities who have the available resources to
conduct a BR&E program on their own. The annual
membership provides a selection of workshops,
questionnaires, software and other BR&E tools
and resources for a nominal annual fee.
Q: What kind of businesses can be surveyed?
The Initiative is flexible and provides tools and materials for
a number of business sectors such as industrial, retail, health care,
agriculture, and tourism. Also available are surveys and analysis of
business customers and consumers. In addition, the Initiative offers
customized programs for communities that are interested in specific
issues or segments, such as the local workforce or the linkages among
businesses, their customers and suppliers. Communities may also
implement a sector-specific BR&E concurrently with a complementary
study such as a Retail Market Analysis or
First Impressions Program.
Q: What does it cost to implement the program?
The Ohio BR&E Initiative offers two options. The Get Started Package is available for a one-time fee. This package provides all the tools, training and resources offered by the Initiative. The Initiative Annual Membership provides a selection of the Initiative's offerings for a low annual fee. For more information, contact Greg Davis,
Program Director.
Q: What role does the local BR&E Coordinator play?
The role of the Coordinator can vary from community to
community. However, the Coordinator typically oversees the BR&E
process. Other responsibilities may include:
- Drafting of the objectives
- Establishing BR&E procedures & policy
- Developing the questionnaire
- Managing administration of the survey
- Collecting, tabulating, analyzing the data
- Translating the data into actionable items
- Housing & managing the database
- Conducting "Red Flag" follow-up
- Developing & implementing a measurement system
- Coordinating community communications
Oftentimes, the local BR&E Coordinator role would be assumed by a Chamber of
Commerce official, Economic Development Office official or Extension
professional from the local OSU Extension office.
Q: Do
communities who have had Ohio BR&E Initiative
memberships recommend it?
A survey of individuals revealed that eighty-four percent of the
local leaders and fifty-six percent of the firm respondents said they
would recommend membership in the BR&E Initiative. One past program Task Force
member and local businessman stated, "The BR&E program involves
citizens of the community and hence becomes an educational as well as a
development tool and benefits more of the average citizenry than any
other program I have seen in my 37 years in [this community]."
Q: Will the Ohio Initiative BR&E staff meet with us if we have additional questions?
Of course! We'll come visit with your community to discuss the
program in more detail and learn more about your
needs to help you decide if this program is for
you. Members can contact Initiative representatives
by telephone, e-mail, or we will come visit you. We encourage
interested persons to contact individuals that have been involved in a
BR&E program in the past.
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