FOX CITIES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK SURVEY RESULTS
2020 FOX CITIES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK SURVEY RESULTS TABLE OF CONTENTS Methodology .................................................................................................................................... 3 Survey Respondents .................................................................................................................... 4 How Was 2019? .............................................................................................................................. 6 Expected in 2020 ........................................................................................................................... 8 Qualified Workforce .................................................................................................................. 10 Advantages & Challenges ......................................................................................................... 11 Life & Business in the Fox Cities .......................................................................................... 12 Questions & Responses .............................................................................................................. 14
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METHODOLOGY The 2020 Fox Cities Economic Outlook Survey was conducted from January 6th through January 17th, 2020. The twenty question survey was distributed and administered by the Fox Cities Regional Partnership, the economic development division of the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce. Survey participation included 229 businesses and organizations located in the Fox Cities region (Outagamie, Calumet and the northern portion of Winnebago Counties). Respondents fell within the following categories:
MFG
• Manufacturing
F.I.R.E.
• Financial • Insurance • Real Estate
TRADE
• Wholesale Trade • Retail Trade
SERVICE
• Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services • Administrative and Support, Waste Management and Remediation Services • Health Care and Social Assistance • Accommodation and Food Services • Other Services (except Public Administration)
OTHER • • • • • • • •
Construction Public Administration Transportation and Warehousing Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Educational Services Information/Media Utilities Non-Profit
Survey results do not represent a statistically valid sample but are intended to offer general insight into the regional economy.
FOXCITIESREGION.COM
3
SURVEY RESPONDENTS 2020 INDUSTRY BREAKDOWN:
MFG
SERVICE
TRADE
NOTES:
4
FOXCITIESCHAMBER.COM
F.I.R.E.
OTHER
INDUSTRY COMPOSITION OF RESPONDENTS:
MFG
2016
F.I.R.E.
2017
TRADE
2018
FOXCITIESREGION.COM
SERVICE
2019
OTHER
2020
5
HOW WAS 2019? GROSS SALES COMPARED TO PREVIOUS YEAR:
2015 2016 2017 PROFITS COMPARED TO PREVIOUS YEAR:
2018 2019
6
FOXCITIESCHAMBER.COM
EMPLOYMENT COMPARED TO PREVIOUS YEAR:
NOTES:
SALARY INCREASE IN PREVIOUS YEAR:
FOXCITIESREGION.COM
7
EXPECTED IN 2020 ANTICIPATE SALES IN NEW YEAR TO BE:
2016 2017 Ahead of 2019
About the same
Behind 2019
NA
2018
ANTICIPATE PROFITS IN NEW YEAR TO: 2019 2020
8
FOXCITIESCHAMBER.COM
PROJECTED EMPLOYMENT IN NEXT YEAR:
Ahead of 2019
About the same
Behind 2019
NOTES:
NA
PROJECTED SALARY INCREASE IN NEXT YEAR:
FOXCITIESREGION.COM
9
QUALIFIED WORKPLACE AVAILABILITY AVAILABILITY OF QUALIFIED WORKERS:
2016 2017 2018 2019
Excellent/Good
Average
Below/Poor
NOTES:
10
FOXCITIESCHAMBER.COM
NA
2020
ADVANTAGES & CHALLENGES WHAT IS MOST BENEFICIAL ABOUT DOING BUSINESS IN THE FOX CITIES?
2019 2020 NOTES:
Worker productivity
Availability of necessary talent/workforce
Cost of doing business
Proximity to supplies
Proximity to markets
Other
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE DOING BUSINESS IN THE FOX CITIES?
Worker productivity
Availability of necessary talent/workforce
Cost of doing business
Proximity to supplies
Proximity to markets
Other
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11
LIFE & BUSINESS IN THE FOX CITIES RATE FOX CITIES AS A PLACE TO LIVE:
2016 2017
Excellent/Good
Average
Below/Poor
2018
NA
RATE FOX CITIES AS A PLACE TO DO BUSINESS:
2019 2020
Excellent/Good
12
Average
Below/Poor
FOXCITIESCHAMBER.COM
NA
Thursday, March 5, 2020 5:00-8:30 PM | Red Lion Hotel 333 W. College Avenue, Appleton The Excellence in Education Awards program is the new culminating K-16 event to recognize the unparalleled contributions of educators in the Fox Cities region.
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2020 Business Awards Nominations open January 23 - February 28 Visit www.foxcitieschamber.com to nominate an exceptional business today!
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13
QUESTIONS & RESPONSES
2020 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK SURVEY
Figures may not sum due to rounding. Manufacturing Respondents
Service
Trade (Retail &
F.I.R.E. (Finance,
Wholesale)
Insurance, Real Estate)
Other (Construction, Information, Public, etc.)
Total
35
75
19
40
60
229
% Of Respondents
16.8%
36.1%
9.1%
19.2%
28.8%
100.0%
Employees Represented
8,647
24,447
2,007
9,492
16,019
60,612
Was your 2019 gross sales activity... ahead of 2018
same as 2018
Were your 2019 profits...
behind 2018
ahead of 2018
not applicable
same as 2018
behind 2018
not applicable
MFG
16
48.5%
10
30.3%
7
21.2%
0
0.0%
MFG
15
45.5%
11
33.3%
7
21.1%
0
0.0%
Service
38
59.4%
10
15.6%
9
14.1%
7
10.9%
Service
33
51.6%
9
14.4%
16
25.0%
6
9.4% 0.0%
Trade
7
41.2%
5
29.4%
5
29.4%
0
0.0%
Trade
5
29.4%
7
41.2%
5
29.4%
0
F.I.R.E.
22
62.9%
8
22.9%
4
11.4%
1
2.9%
F.I.R.E
18
51.4%
12
34.3%
5
14.3%
0
0.0%
Other
16
32.7%
14
28.6%
12
24.5%
7
14.3%
Other
14
28.6%
14
28.6%
12
24.5%
9
18.4%
Overall
99
53.1%
47
19.6%
37
10.3%
15
16.1%
Overall
85
45.4%
53
21.6%
45
13.9%
15
17.5%
Was your firm’s 2019 local employment... ahead of 2018
same as 2018
behind 2018
not applicable
MFG
15
45.5%
12
36.4%
6
18.2%
0
Service
21
32.8%
32
50.0%
6
9.4%
5
0.0% 7.8%
Trade
3
17.7%
6
35.3%
7
41.2%
1
5.9% 8.6%
F.I.R.E.
11
31.4%
15
42.9%
6
17.1%
3
Other
12
24.5%
30
61.2%
5
10.2%
2
4.1%
Overall
62
35.1%
95
74.5%
30
13.4%
11
14.4%
During 2019, what was the average percent change in salary for your Fox Cities employees? 0%
1%
2%
3%
4%
5%
6%
>6%
Commission
MFG
2
6.2%
2
6.1%
4
12.1%
10
30.3%
5
15.2%
4
12.1%
0
0.0%
4
12.1%
2
6.1%
Service
10
15.6%
1
1.6%
12
18.8%
18
28.1%
5
7.8%
6
9.4%
0
0.0%
4
6.3%
8
12.5%
Trade
2
11.8%
1
5.9%
1
5.9%
5
29.4%
1
5.9%
2
11.8%
1
5.9%
2
11.8%
2
11.8% 14.3%
F.I.R.E.
1
2.9%
4
11.4%
7
20.0%
12
34.3%
1
2.9%
4
11.4%
0
0.0%
1
2.9%
5
Other
4
8.2%
3
6.1%
7
14.3%
18
36.7%
5
10.2%
6
12.2%
1
2.0%
2
4.1%
3
6.1%
Overall
19
51.5%
11
6.7%
31
16.1%
63
32.1%
17
12.9%
22
4.1%
2
1.0%
13
4.6%
20
6.7%
14
FOXCITIESCHAMBER.COM
QUESTIONS & RESPONSES
2020 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK SURVEY
Do you expect your profits in 2020 to...
Do you expect your sales volume in 2020 to... remain the same
increase
decrease
NA
remain the same
increase
decrease
NA
MFG
20
60.6%
9
27.2%
4
12.1%
0
0.0%
MFG
20
60.6%
8
24.2%
5
15.2%
0
Service
34
56.7%
19
31.7%
5
8.3%
2
3.3%
Service
33
55.0%
20
33.3%
5
8.3%
2
0.0% 3.3%
Trade
10
58.8%
7
41.2%
0
0.0%
0
0.0%
Trade
10
58.8%
6
35.3%
1
5.9%
0
0.0%
F.I.R.E.
22
62.9%
10
28.6%
2
5.7%
1
2.9%
F.I.R.E.
19
54.3%
12
34.3%
4
11.4%
0
0.0%
Other
22
47.8%
15
32.6%
4
8.7%
5
10.9%
Other
21
45.7%
16
34.8%
2
4.4%
7
15.2%
Overall
108
51.0%
60
24.7%
15
5.7%
8
9.3%
Overall
103
49.0%
62
26.8%
17
6.2%
9
10.3%
In 2020, do you anticipate local employment to... remain the same
increase
decrease
Is your company planning an expansion in 2020? yes
NA
no
MFG
14
42.4%
16
48.5%
3
9.1%
0
0.0%
MFG
17
51.5%
16
Service
22
36.7%
32
53.3%
4
6.7%
2
3.3%
Service
23
38.3%
37
48.5% 61.7%
Trade
4
23.5%
10
58.8%
2
11.8%
1
5.9%
Trade
3
17.6%
14
82.4%
F.I.R.E.
14
40.0%
15
42.9%
4
11.4%
2
5.7%
F.I.R.E.
9
25.7%
26
74.3%
Other
11
23.9%
27
58.7%
6
13.0%
2
4.4%
Other
11
23.9%
35
76.1%
Overall
65
36.1%
100
42.2%
19
4.1%
7
8.8%
Overall
63
35.1%
128
53.6%
What do you anticipate will be the average percent change in salary for your Fox Cities employees in 2020? 0% MFG
0
Service Trade F.I.R.E.
1%
0.0%
3
5
8.3%
2
11.8%
0
0.0%
Other
5
Overall
12
2%
3%
4%
9.1%
7
21.2%
13
39.4%
2
2
3.3%
10
16.7%
28
46.7%
1
5.9%
2
11.8%
4
23.5%
4
11.4%
8
22.9%
12
34.3%
1
10.9%
2
4.4%
10
21.7%
16
34.8%
2
51.5%
12
6.7%
37
16.1%
73
32.1%
11
5%
6.1%
5
3
5.0%
3
17.7% 2.9%
6%
>6%
15.2%
0
0.0%
2
5
8.3%
0
0.0%
1
5.9%
1
5.9%
3
8.6%
0
4.4%
7
15.2%
12.9%
21
4.1%
Commission
6.1%
1
3.1%
2
3.3%
5
8.3%
1
5.9%
2
11.8%
0.0%
2
5.7%
5
14.3%
0
0.0%
0
0.0%
4
8.7%
1
1.0%
7
4.6%
17
6.7%
SURVEY CONDUCTED BY:
FOXCITIESREGION.COM
15
2020 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK SURVEY
QUESTIONS & RESPONSES
How would you rate the availability of qualified workers in the Fox Cities? excellent MFG
0
good
average
0.0%
4
12.1%
12
below average
36.4%
8
24.4%
poor 6
not applicable 18.2%
3
9.1%
Service
2
3.1%
15
23.4%
20
31.3%
13
20.3%
7
10.9%
7
10.9%
Trade
0
0.0%
0
0.0%
5
29.4%
8
47.1%
4
23.5%
0
0.0%
F.I.R.E.
2
5.7%
9
25.7%
14
40.0%
5
14.3%
1
2.9%
2
5.7%
Other
1
2.1%
8
16.3%
18
22.5%
11
16.3%
8
16.3%
2
4.1%
Overall
5
3.1%
36
13.4%
69
28.4%
45
26.2%
26
11.3%
14
4.1%
How would you rate the local economic vitality at the present time? excellent MFG
1
good
average
below average
3.0%
23
69.7%
8
24.3%
0
0.0%
poor 0
not applicable 0.0%
1
3.0%
Service
5
8.3%
41
68.3%
11
18.3%
3
5.0%
0
0.0%
0
0.0%
Trade
1
5.9%
8
47.1%
8
47.1%
0
0.0%
0
0.0%
0
0.0%
F.I.R.E.
6
17.1%
19
54.3%
10
28.6%
0
0.0%
0
0.0%
0
0.0%
Other
5
10.9%
23
50.0%
18
39.1%
0
0.0%
0
0.0%
0
0.0%
Overall
18
8.8%
114
54.1%
55
22.1%
3
3.1%
0
0.0%
1
1.0%
How would you rate the national economic vitality at the present time? excellent
good
average
below average
poor
NA
MFG
1
3.0%
18
54.6%
12
36.4%
1
3.0%
0
0.0%
1
3.0%
Service
5
8.3%
31
51.7%
23
38.3%
1
1.7%
0
0.0%
0
0.0%
Trade
0
0.0%
5
29.4%
9
52.9%
2
11.8%
0
0.0%
1
5.9%
F.I.R.E.
3
8.6%
22
62.9%
9
25.7%
1
2.9%
0
0.0%
0
0.0%
Other Overall
1
2.2%
23
50.0%
19
41.3%
2
4.4%
1
2.2%
0
0.0%
10
4.6%
99
34.0%
72
40.7%
7
6.2%
1
1.0%
2
2.1%
By the end of 2020, do you anticipate the Fox Cities economy will have... grown
stabilized
13
39.4%
18
Service
28
46.7%
28
46.7%
4
6.7%
6
35.3%
11
64.8%
0
0.0%
F.I.R.E.
20
58.8%
13
38.2%
1
3.0%
Other
17
37.0%
27
58.7%
2
4.3%
Overall
84
33.5%
97
50.0%
9
4.6%
Trade
16
54.6%
declined
MFG
2
6.1%
FOXCITIESCHAMBER.COM
2020 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK SURVEY
QUESTIONS & RESPONSES
Compared to other U.S. cities of similar size, how would you rate the Fox Cities as a place to do business? excellent
good
average
MFG
10
30.3%
16
48.5%
6
18.2%
below average
not applicable
0
0.0%
1
3.0%
Service
17
28.3%
32
53.3%
9
15.0%
1
1.7%
1
1.7%
Trade
3
17.7%
6
35.3%
7
41.2%
0
0.0%
1
5.9%
F.I.R.E.
8
22.9%
21
60.0%
5
14.3%
1
2.9%
0
0.0%
Other Overall
8
17.4%
19
41.3%
18
39.1%
1
2.2%
0
0.0%
46
23.2%
94
42.3%
45
17.5%
3
2.6%
3
2.1%
Compared to other U.S. cities of similar size, how would you rate the Fox Cities as a place to live? excellent MFG
18
54.6%
Service
below average
not applicable
13
good 39.4%
1
average 3.0%
0
0.0%
1
3.0%
34
56.7%
15
25.0%
9
15.0%
0
0.0%
2
3.3%
Trade
4
23.5%
10
58.8%
3
17.7%
0
0.0%
0
0.0%
F.I.R.E.
14
40.0%
20
57.1%
1
2.9%
0
0.0%
0
0.0%
Other
17
37.0%
24
52.1%
4
8.7%
1
2.2%
0
0.0%
Overall
87
38.7%
82
39.7%
18
6.7%
1
3.9%
3
1.5%
What do you like best about doing business in the Fox Cities? worker productivity
availability of necessary talent/workforce
cost of doing business
proximity to markets
proximity to suppliers
other
MFG
12
37.5%
1
3.1%
7
21.8%
8
25.0%
3
9.4%
1
3.1%
Service
13
21.7%
2
3.3%
20
33.3%
15
25.0%
3
5.0%
7
11.7%
Trade
3
17.7%
0
0.0%
8
47.1%
3
17.7%
0
0.0%
3
17.7%
F.I.R.E.
9
25.7%
1
2.9%
13
37.1%
8
22.9%
0
0.0%
4
11.4%
Other
13
28.3%
3
6.5%
18
39.1%
9
19.6%
1
2.2%
2
4.4%
Overall
50
21.1%
7
4.6%
66
33.0%
43
16.5%
7
15.7%
17
27.5%
What is your biggest challenge doing business in the Fox Cities? worker productivity
availability of necessary talent/workforce
cost of doing business
proximity to markets
proximity to suppliers
other
MFG
1
3.0%
21
63.6%
4
12.1%
3
9.1%
2
6.1%
2
6.1%
Service
0
0.0%
36
60.0%
8
13.3%
5
8.3%
1
1.7%
10
16.7%
Trade
0
0.0%
13
76.5%
1
5.9%
2
11.8%
0
0.0%
1
5.9%
F.I.R.E.
2
5.9%
15
44.1%
6
17.7%
4
11.8%
1
2.9%
6
17.7%
Other
1
2.2%
31
67.4%
6
13.0%
6
13.0%
1
2.2%
1
2.2%
Overall
4
3.1%
116
53.1%
25
37.2%
20
10.3%
5
2.1%
20
7.7%
FOXCITIESREGION.COM
17
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