How Arlington County Bi L d Business Leaders View The County1105am3mju9f3st1xn20q6ek-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/...Bi L d Business Leaders View The County Insights from the ACCS 2012

How Arlington County B i L d Business Leaders View The County y

Insights from the ACCSg2012 Business Leaders Study

June, 2013

Project Project OverviewOverview

2012 ACCS Business Leaders Study

• A 15-minute online survey was conducted in the fall of 2012 among business leaders in Arlington County.

• The study was conducted by the Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc. and LDA Consulting.

• Survey respondents were invited via email, by the Arlington Department of Environmental Services, Division of Transportation & Development.p p

• 212 senior level business executives, HR professionals and developers participated.developers participated.

• Margin of error is + 6.5 percentage points at the 95% confidence levelconfidence level.

Research Notes:Two Important DefinitionsTwo Important Definitions

Top Two Box ScoresTop Two Box Scores• Many questions in this study were asked using a

rating scale of 1 to 5, with “5” being the highest (best most important etc )(best, most important, etc.).

• The answers to these 5-point scale questions are reported as a “Top Two Box” score – the percent giving a rating of 4 or 5.g g g

Sample Size• Defined as the number of respondents for any Defined as the number of respondents for any

given question, shown on each slide in the bottom left hand corner.

Survey Participants

Respondent Position ClassificationRespondent Position Classification

16%15%

CEO, CFO

Chairman, Owner or President

11%10%

(Exec., Sr.) VP

(Exec., Sr.) Director

General Manager

13%

13%

10%General Manager

Property Manager

HR Professional

n = 212HR Professionals,

12%13%

Other

Please select the phrase that best describes your position:Developers& C-Class

Business Locations

23%20%

RosslynCrystal City/National Airport

19%15%

13%

BallstonClarendon

Court House7%7%7%

5%

Pentagon/Pentagon CityNorth ArlingtonColumbia PikeVi i i S 5%

4%4%

3%

Virginia SquareSouth Arlington

ShirlingtonEast Falls Church

n = 177HR Professionals

3%3%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

East Falls ChurchOther

Please select the area(s) that best describes the location(s) of your [worksites; stores or establishments; properties] in Arlington County. Please check all that apply.

HR Professionals& C-Class

Business Leader Tenurein Arlington Countyin Arlington County

1%Years in County

Over one-third of Business

Leader respondents

18%

37%

Less than 1

1 - 5

6 - 10

have been doing business

in Arlington County for

14%11 - 15

16 - 20

More than 20

over two decades.

n = 212HR Professionals,

13%16%

How long has your organization been located in Arlington County?Developers& C-Class

Number of Company LocationsNumber of Company Locations

65%

Note: 8% of respondent companies have more

than 10

78%65%

Singlethan 10

locations in the metro

area.

16%23%

2 - 5

6%12%

More than 5


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%Metro DC Arlington

How many [worksites; stores or establishments; properties] does yourorganization have in each of the following?


Number of EmployeesNumber of Employees

28%

Note: 18% of respondent

companies in the metro

33%

35%

36%

28%

11 - 49

10 or Fewerarea and 22% in

Arlington County have five or fewer

18%

33%

18%50 - 150

five or fewer employees:

5% in the metro area

and 5% in the t h

13%18%More than 150

county have more than

1,000 employees.


0% 10% 20% 30% 40%Metro DC Arlington

About how many employees work for your organization at ALL locations in each of the following? (Entire Washington metropolitan area, Arlington County specifically)


Industry Type

23%12%

Non-profit organization/association

B siness personnel or professional 12%10%

9%6%

Business, personnel, or professional

Hospitality, restaurants, hotels, tourism

Technology consulting

Education 6%5%5%

3%

Education

Retail or wholesale trade

Defense contracting

Banking, finance, insurance, real estate

2%2%

1%

Public administration, government

Public utility or transportation

Hospital, medical services


19%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Other

What is the primary work or business of your organization?


Organization TypeOrganization Type

52%Private company

Half of survey respondents represent a 52%

35%

Private company

Non-profit organizationor association

pprivate

company, while an

additional one third

4%

3%

Federal government agency

Local government agency

one-third represent a non-profit

organization or trade

1%State government agency

Oth

association.


2%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other

Which of the following best describes your organization type?


77KeyKey

FindingsFindings

1Business Leaders Feel


Arlington County Offers a Great Quality of LifeGreat Quality of Life

“Arlington County offers everything one needs –

Courtesy of Arlington Economic Development

g y y gfood establishments, amenities and

transportation options.”

Business Leader

Survey Question:Survey Question:

Overall, how would you , yrate the quality of lifein Arlington County? g o Cou y?

Arlington County’sQ li f if iQuality of Life Rating

f A li t C t B i L d tof Arlington County Business Leaders rateArlington County’s Quality of Life

a 4 or 5 on a 5-point scale,where “5” means “Excellent ”where 5 means Excellent.

Overall, how would you rate the quality of life in Arlington County? By “quality f lif ” “th l ll b i f id t t ki i t id ti

n = 191Developers of life” we mean “the general well-being of residents taking into consideration

such things as the quality of education available, employment opportunities, the economy, personal safety, health, housing, recreation and entertainment opportunities, and so forth.” Please use a scale of 1-5 where “1” means “poor” and “5” means “excellent.”

Developers& C-Class

Survey Question:

H d th lit f How does the quality of life in Arlington County

t th lit compare to the quality of life in other areas?

The Majority of Business Leaders Rate Arlington County’s Quality of Life Arlington County s Quality of Life

Better Than Other Areas

50% 22% 72%Other areas in the

Greater Washington regiong

Quality of lifecompared to:

48% 32% 80%The United States

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

4 5 - Quality of life in Arlington is much better

n = 191Developers

How does quality of life in Arlington County compare to the quality of life in each of the following? Please use a scale of 1 to 5, where “1” means “quality of life in Arlington is much worse”, and “5” means “quality of life in Arlington is much better.”

Developers& C-Class



Arlington County Offers a Great Business ClimateGreat Business Climate


“Arlington County is very business friendly and the county government works closely with business.”


g y

“Overall I think Arlington County is a well developed Overall, I think Arlington County is a well-developed county with a lot to offer businesses.”

“Arlington is ideally situated to fulfill the needs of my or most any business.”y y

Business Leaders

Survey Question:

H ld tHow would you ratethe overall business climate

i A li t C t ?in Arlington County?

Arlington County’sg yBusiness Rating

of Arlington County Business Leaders rateArlington County’s business climate a 4 or 5 on a

5 point scale where “5” means “Excellent ” 5-point scale, where 5 means Excellent.

How would you rate the overall business climate in Arlington County? n = 191

Developers How would you rate the overall business climate in Arlington County? By “business climate” we mean “providing access to the workforce, capital, infrastructure, customers and the other high quality inputs needed for your business to be successful.” Please use a scale of 1 to 5 where “1” means “poor” and “5” means “excellent.”

Developers& C-Class


How does the overall business How does the overall business climate in Arlington County

compare to the overall business compare to the overall business climate in other areas?

The Majority of Business Leaders Rate Arlington County’s Business Climate Arlington County s Business Climate

Better Than Other Areas

45% 13% 58%Other areas in the Greater

Washington region

Business climate rating

compared to:46% 24% 70%The United States

4 5 - Overall climate in

compared to:

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%Arlington is much better

How does the overall business climate in Arlington County compare to the overall business climate in each of the following? By “business climate” we mean

n = 191Developers overall business climate in each of the following? By business climate we mean

“providing access to the workforce, capital, infrastructure, customers and the other high quality inputs needed for your business to be successful.” Please use a scale of 1 to 5 where “1” means “overall business climate in Arlington is much worse” and “5” means “overall business climate in Arlington is much better.”

Developers& C-Class

3Many Attributes Drive

3y

Arlington County’s High Business Climate Rating Business Climate Rating,

Especially Location and Access and Access

Survey Question:

Why did you give th t ti f that rating for

Arlington County’s g yBusiness Climate?

Courtesy of US Environmental Protection Agency

“Arlington County is close to everything. We are close to executive offices as well as Congressional offices. Our customers are centrally located near our office. There are many restaurants to choose from whether

looking for breakfast, lunch, dinner or entertainment.”looking for breakfast, lunch, dinner or entertainment.

Business Leader

Reasons for Arlington County’s Hi h B i Cli t R tiHigh Business Climate Ratings

Why did you give that rating?

The more prominent the word, the more mentions it was given by business leaders.

Reasons for Arlington County’s High Business Climate RatingHigh Business Climate Rating

27%Great place/amenities

Open-ended question.

22%

27%

Accessibility/transportation

Great place/amenitiesResponses coded for tabulation.

15%

17%

Great location

Retaining qualified workforce

5%

7%

Quality workforce

Area economy

5%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Quality workforce

n = 137

Why did you give that rating?C-Class

4Many of These Same

Attributes Are Important When Selecting a When Selecting a Business Location


When your organization When your organization considers alternative

locations for your locations for your business, how important

are these attributes? are these attributes?

Importance of Attributes (1 of 2)

26%

25%

53%

61%

79%

86%

Availability of parking

Quality of transportation system

26%

33%

26%

50%

44%

53%

76%

77%

79%

A il bl kill d kf

Reputation of area


28%

26%

46%

50%

74%

76%

Pro-business climate

Available skilled workforce

33%

19%

26%

49%

59%

68%

Availability of business support services

Proximity to customers

17% 34% 51%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Tax structure/incentives

4 5 - Very importantn = 156

When your business considers alternative locations for locating your business or part of your business, how important are each of these attributes in the decision process?

C-Class

Importance of Attributes (2 of 2)

29% 22% 51%Attractive communities

16%

20%

26%

26%

42%

46%

Quality of K-12 education

Affordable employee housing

18%

22%

17%

15%

35%

37%

Entertainment opportunities

Recreational opportunities

17%

18%

16%

17%

33%

35%

Workforce training opportunities

Entertainment opportunities

n = 156

19% 12% 31%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Quality colleges and universities

4 5 - Very important

When your business considers alternative locations for locating your business or part of your business, how important are each of these attributes in the decision process?

C-Class

Survey Question:

What is the single most important attribute in important attribute in

selecting a location to start relocate or expand start, relocate or expand

your business?

The Most Important Considerations in Selecting a Business LocationSelecting a Business Location

Open-ended Question 24%Access to customers

12%

18%

Transportation/access

Affordability/costs

7%

10%

Good business environment

Location

2%

5%

Accessibility

Workforce

n = 134

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

y

What is the single most important attribute in selecting a location to start,relocate or expand your business?

C-Class

The Most Important Attribute in The Most Important Attribute in Selecting a Business Location

What is the single most important attribute in selecting a location to start What is the single most important attribute in selecting a location to start, relocate or expand your business?

The more prominent the word, the more mentions it was given by business leaders.

5Business Leaders

5Feel Arlington County

Is Performing Well gAcross Most of These

Key AttributesKey Attributes


How is Arlington How is Arlington County’s performancei d li i th in delivering on these

attributes?

Performance of Attributes (1 of 2)Business

36% 51% 87%Reputation of area

Business leaders give

Arlington County high marks for the

’

39%

33%

34%

43%

73%

76%

Quality of transportation system

Proximity to customersarea’s reputation, proximity to

customers and quality

36%

39%

31%

29%

67%

68%

Availability of skilled workforce

Attractive residential communities

quality transportation

system.

32%

36%

29%

31%

61%

67%

Recreational opportunities

Availability of skilled workforce

32% 26% 58%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%


4 5 - Very goodNow using this same list based on your experience with locating your business in

n = 177HR Professionals Now using this same list, based on your experience with locating your business in

Arlington County, please rate Arlington County’s performance in delivering on the attributes, using a scale of 1 to 5 for your answer. “1” means that you rate Arlington County “not very good” on that attribute and “5” means that you rate Arlington County “very good” on that attribute.


Performance of Attributes (2 of 2)

25%

29%

32%

29%

57%

58%

Access to colleges and universities

Access to entertainment opportunities

34%

25%

20%

32%

54%

57%

Availability of business support svcs.

Access to colleges and universities

30%

20%

14%

29%

44%

49%



18%

26%

7%

11%

25%

37%



7% 5% 12%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%


4 5 - Very importantn = 177

HR ProfessionalsHR Professionals& C-Class Now using this same list, based on your experience with locating your business in

Arlington County, please rate Arlington County’s performance in delivering on the attributes, using a scale of 1 to 5 for your answer. “1” means that you rate Arlington County “not very good” on that attribute and “5” means that you rate Arlington County “very good” on that attribute.

Attribute Importance Against C t P f (1 f 2)County Performance (1 of 2)

86%Quality of Parking is one

Note: Attributes

87%

44%

73%

77%

79%

86%

Reputation of area


ytransportation system

Parking is one of the biggest areas where

improvements can be made.

sorted by degree of

importance.

58%

67%

68%

74%

76%

P i it t t


Availability ofskilled workforce

25%

54%

76%

51%

59%

68%


Availability of business support svcs.

Proximity to customers

Importancen = 156

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Importance (4 + 5) Performance (4 + 5)

n = 156C-Level Business Leaders

Performancen = 177 When your organization considers alternative locations for your

HR Managers, C-Level Business Leaders

When your organization considers alternative locations for your business, how important are each of these attributes? Please rateArlington County’s performance delivering on these attributes.

Attribute Importance Against C t P f (2 f 2)

51%

Note: Attributes

County Performance (2 of 2)

%

12%

68%

42%

46%

51%

Quality of K 12 education


Attractive residential communitiessorted by degree of

importance.Housing costs are a concern

to many.

58%

61%

49%

35%

37%

%

Access to entertainment opportunities

Access to recreational opportunities


57%

37%

58%

31%

33%

Access to quality colleges/universities


opportunities

Importancen = 156

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

g

Importance (4 + 5) Performance (4 + 5)


Performancen = 177 When your organization considers alternative locations for your


When your organization considers alternative locations for your business, how important are each of these attributes? Please rateArlington County’s performance delivering on these attributes.

Performance GapsPerformance Rarely Exceeds Expectations With This Analysis

Note:. Attributes sorted b Performance Rarely Exceeds Expectations With This Analysis.

The Bigger Insight Is The Relative Size of the Gaps, And Ensuring the Largest Gaps Are Not With The Most Important Attributes.

Attribute Importance Performance Gap

sorted by degree of

importance.

“G ” l Quality of transportation system 86% 73% - 13

Availability of parking 79% 44% - 35

Reputation of area 77% 87% + 10

“Gap” equals Performance

minus Importance

Availability of skilled workforce 76% 67% - 9

Pro-business climate 74% 58% -16

Proximity to customers 68% 76% + 8

Availability of business support services 59% 54% 5

ie. a negative gap

indicates lack of Availability of business support services 59% 54% - 5

Tax structure/incentives 51% 25% - 26

Attractive residential communities 51% 68% + 17

Affordable employee housing 46% 12% 34

lack of performance

on the attribute.

Affordable employee housing 46% 12% - 34

Quality of K-12 education 42% 49% + 7

Access to recreational opportunities 37% 61% + 24

Access to entertainment opportunities 35% 58% + 23Access to entertainment opportunities 35% 58% + 23

Workforce training opportunities 33% 37% + 4

Access to quality colleges/universities 31% 57% + 26

There Is Always RoomThere Is Always Roomfor Improvement.

The Key Is Focusing on the Right Things the Right Things . . .

6Business Leaders Support

6the County’s Continued

Investment in Infrastructure and Business Development


How important is it for How important is it for the County to invest in each of the following?each of the following?

Business leaders Feel Improving the Transportation, Technology Infrastructure and Private Sector

Recruitment Are the Most Important Future InvestmentsRecruitment Are the Most Important Future Investments

29% 50% 79%Improving the transportation system

34%

38%

37%

35%

71%

73%

Attracting more private businesses

Developing and improving the technology infrastructure

21%

29%

30%

36%

51%

65%

Providing more affordable housing options

Providing more parking

24%

30%

24%

20%

48%

50%

Attracting more government jobs

Developing urban villages

n = 191Developers

18% 18% 36%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Providing workforce training opportunities

4 5 - Very important

How important is it for the County to invest in each of the following?Please use a scale of 1 to 5, where “1” is “not at all important” and “5” is “very important.”

Developers& C-Class

“The growth and active pursuit

Courtesy of Wikipedia

The growth and active pursuit of more business continues to be very proactive and successful…”

Business Leader

How Should Arlington County Prioritize County Prioritize

Investment?

Based On Business leaders’ Perceptions This leaders Perceptions, This

Study Points to Several Key Areas Key Areas . . .

Opportunity MapThis map

helps illustrate how drivers of

satisfaction and GROWTH OPPORTUNITY BUILD AND MAINTAIN and

perceived performance on attributes can highlight

ACCS

GROWTH OPPORTUNITY

Opportunities for

improvement

Continue to invest and develop to build strengthee

BUILD AND MAINTAIN

ACCS strengths and opportunities.

improvement build strength

porta

nce

porta

nce

Importancen = 156

SAVE RESOURCES RESERVE STRENGTH

No need to invest resources here

A reserve that can “protect”

Imp

Imp


Performancen = 177


PerformancePerformance

Opportunity Map

Performance (Mean = 3.3)

Skilled Workforce

C stomer Pro

TransportationArea

ReputationBusiness Climate

Parking

3.8

4.2

m

Tax Structure

Business Support

Customer Prox.

Residential

Climate

3.4

I

portance

Importancen = 156

Housing Residential

RecreationEntertainment

K-12

Colleges/UnivsTraining2.6

3 I…e (Mean =


Performancen = 177

.

2.22.2 3.2 4.2

= 3.4


Opportunity Map

GROWTH OPPORTUNITY BUILD AND MAINTAIN

• Quality of Transportation • Availability of Parking• Availability of Business

Support Services

• Quality of Transportation System

• Reputation of Area• Availability of Skilled

Workforce• Pro-business Climateee

SAVE RESOURCES RESERVE STRENGTH

Pro business Climate• Proximity to Customers

porta

nce

porta

nce

Importancen = 156

• Affordable Housing for Employees

• Workforce Training• Quality of Education K-12• Proximity to Colleges &

U i iti

• Attractive Residential Communities

• Accessibility of Recreational Opportunities

• Accessibility of E t t i t O t iti

Imp

Imp


Performancen = 177

Universities• Tax Structure and Incentives

Entertainment Opportunities


PerformancePerformance

7No Surprise,

7No Surprise,

Arlington County’s Business Leaders Are Business Leaders Are

Bullish About the Future


“I have great faith that the significant progress of the past 25 years will continue.”

Business Leader

Survey Question:

How do you predict the quality of life predict the quality of life and the business climate

in Arlington County in Arlington County will change in the next

five years?five years?

Most Business Leaders Expect Quality of Life and Business Climate to

94% of Business Leaders Quality of Life and Business Climate to

Maintain or Improve in the FutureLeaders

predict the quality of life in

Arlington County will

i

13% 47% 39%Business Climate in Arlington

remain positive or

improve in the next five years.

WorseThe SameBetter

86% predict the business climate will

remain positive or

5% 53% 41%Quality of Life in Arlington

Betterpositive or improve.

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%n = 191

DevelopersDevelopers& C-Class

How do you predict each of the following will change in the next five years?Please use a scale of 1 to 5, where “1” means “will get significantly worse” and 5 means “will get significantly better.”

For More InformationFor More Informationon This Study Contact:

Chris HamiltonA li t C t Arlington County

Commuter Services

[email protected]

703.228.3725

Documents

How Arlington County Bi L d Business Leaders View The County1105am3mju9f3st1xn20q6ek-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/...Bi L d Business Leaders View The County Insights from the ACCS 2012