VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: City of Syracuse Conducts Local Business Survey
James Horon has been running his business for 24 years. Michelle Scully has been running her’s for 4 months. Yet, both have faced challenges with the government in their operations.
We’re in a historic preservation society so we ran into some issues with a ramp we wanted to put in because it’s a historic building to make it ADA compliant was really expensive and not feasible for a new small business.
The times of did government did interfere with our business especially during COVID, they’re not always sensible to the idea that the decisions they make can have a negative impact on the daily operation of a business.
Both are also eligible to fill out the City’s Local Business Survey. As part of the city’s efforts to meet the needs of local businesses, the survey is meant to collect demographic data. Over the phone, City of Syracuse Business Corridor Suzy Mcpherson told NCC News “We really want to be able to engage with businesses and also with these demographics hear what people need and see if there are any trends with in that, anything overlapping within those two”.
Syracuse properties see businesses come and go. To Scully of Kairos Cafe says she’s in it for the long run and says putting owners in contact with business experts would be the best help hand
If you’re given startup money that doesn’t mean you know how to manage it well, or invest it well, or staff accordingly so that you don’t go bankrupt, or all these things.
Right now, business owners can find the survey on the city’s facebook page, but Mcpherson says the they will send postcards and start door-to-door surveying too. For NCC News, I’m Nehilah Grand-Pierre.
Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) — The city of Syracuse is collecting data from local business owners through their local business survey. This comes as the city’s Department of Neighborhood and Business Development begins to plan for how it will support local and small business owners in the upcoming year.
“We really want to be able to engage with businesses and also with these demographics hear what people need and see if there are any trends with in that, anything overlapping within those two” said City of Syracuse Business Corridor Suzy Mcpherson.
Since businesses register and receive their licensing through the state rather than the city, Mcpherson said she came up with the idea to conduct the survery so the divison could better allociate resources, build programs and host events. Questions asked include, “Do you identify as a Minority/Women Owned Business?” and “How many full-time employees does your business have?”
“I’m not sure that we as business people really rely on the government to help us with our businesses. I think the best thing that the government can do is take care of the things the government does. If they’re interested in helping us then they can make sure that the logistics of daily life and the operations of the government run properly” said Vagabond Clothing owner, James Horan, who has owned his downtown retail store for 24 years.
To some newer owners like Michelle Scully, who has owned Kairos Cafe on Green Street for 4 months, getting connected to a network is the biggest help.
“The education piece and the putting them in contact with other individuals who can support them and answer questions along the way who are experts in areas they might not be would be the most beneficial in my opinion. If you’re given startup money, that doesn’t mean you know how to manage it well, or invest it well, or staff accordingly so that you don’t go bankrupt, or all these things” said Scully.
The survey is currently available on the City of Syracuse Facebook page. The city is working on mailing postcards and starting door-to-door knocking too, according to Mcpherson.