Biz Survey HC EnglishMA DHCD LRRP Program 1
The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development has launched a program
to help communities develop Rapid Recovery Plans for their downtowns and commercial districts.
This survey is for owners or managers of business establishments located in targeted commercial
areas of participating communities. This includes both for-profits and non-profits (and, even if
your business is temporarily closed).
Your input will help your community develop a plan that meets the needs of local businesses.
We are looking for a response from only one representative per business (e.g., owner, CEO,
Executive Director, manager). If your business has multiple locations, please answer the questions
as they pertain to the establishment located in the targeted commercial district.
We'll ask a few questions in three topics areas:
• business characteristics and satisfaction with location,
• impacts of COVID, and
• your opinion regarding potential strategies to support your business and improve the
commercial district.
The survey is being conducted by an independent economic development research and consulting
firm (FinePoint Associates). Results will be reported back to local community teams in aggregate
form only, so your responses will be anonymous.
Thank you for taking a few moments to tell us about your business and what would support your
success!
Business Characteristics & Satisfaction with Commercial Area
1. Please indicate below the community where your business is located.
_________________________________
Local Rapid Recovery Plan Program - Business Survey
MA DHCD LRRP Program 2
2. Please select the category that best fits your business.
____ Retail (NAICS 44-45)
____ Food Service (restaurants, bars), Accommodation (NAICS 72)
____ Personal Service (hair, skin, nails, laundry, dry cleaning) (NAICS 81)
____ Professional, Scientific, Technical, Legal (NAICS 54)
____ Finance, Insurance (NAICS 52)
____ Healthcare (medical, dental, other health practitioners) (NAICS 62)
____ Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, Fitness (NAICS 71)
____ Non-Profit, Community Services
____ Other
3. Including yourself, how many people did your business employ prior to COVID (February
2020), including both full-time and part-time? (If your business has multiple locations, please
answer the question as it pertains only to the establishment located in the target commercial
district.)
____ 1
____ 2 to 5
____ 6 to 10
____ 11 to 20
____ 21 to 50
____ More than 50
4. During the 3 years prior to COVID, had your business revenue . . .?
____ Increased
____ Decreased
____ Stayed about the Same
____ Don't Know/Not Applicable
5. Does your business own or rent the space where it operates?
____ Own
____ Rent
MA DHCD LRRP Program 3
6. Please rate your satisfaction with the following aspects of the Downton or Commercial District
where your business is located.
Very
Dissatisfied
Dissatisfied
Neutral
Satisfied
Very
Satisfied
Condition of public spaces,
streets, sidewalks
Condition of private
buildings, facades,
storefronts, signage
Accessibility for customers &
employees
Safety and comfort of
customers & employees
Proximity to complementary
businesses or uses
7. Do any local regulations (not related to COVID) pose an obstacle for your business operation?
If Yes, select ALL categories that apply OR if NO, select “None - No issues with regulations”.
____ Licensing or permitting regulations
____ Signage regulations
____ Parking regulations
____ Outdoor dining or selling regulations
____ Allowed uses, change of use, other zoning regulations
____ Historic District regulations
____ Other regulations (not related to COVID)
____ None - No Issues with regulations
MA DHCD LRRP Program 4
Impacts of COVID
8. Did your business experience any of the following due to COVID? Select All that apply.
____ Decline in revenue
____ Employee layoff
____ Reduced operating hours/capacity
____ Business closure (temporary or permanent)
____ Stopped/deferred rent or mortgage payments
____ Incurred expense to implement safety measures
____ Established alternative mode to sell and deliver products (on-line platform, delivery, etc.)
____ None of the above
9. How did your 2020 business revenue compare to your 2019 revenue?
____ Increased compared to 2019
____ Stayed about the same as 2019
____ Decreased 1 – 24% compared to 2019
____ Decreased 25 – 49% compared to 2019
____ Decreased 50 – 74% compared to 2019
____ Decreased 75 – 100% compared to 2019
____ Don’t Know/Not Applicable
10. Please estimate how the number of customers that physically came to your business in
January and February 2021 compares to before COVID.
____ More customers than before COVID
____ About the same number as before COVID
____ 1 – 24% less customers than before COVID
____ 25 – 49% less customers than before COVID
____ 50 – 74% less customers than before COVID
____ 75 – 100% less customers than before COVID
____ Don't Know/Not Applicable
11. At the current time, what is the status of your business operation?
____ Operating at full capacity
____ Operating at reduced hours/capacity due to COVID
____ Temporarily closed due to COVID
____ Permanently closed due to COVID
MA DHCD LRRP Program 5
Strategies for Supporting Businesses and Improving the Commercial District
12. A few approaches to address Physical Environment, Atmosphere and Access in commercial
districts are listed below. Considering the conditions in your commercial area, in your opinion,
how important are each of the following strategies?
Unimportant/
Not Needed
Of Little
Importance
or Need
Moderately
Important
Important Very
Important
Renovation of
Storefronts/
Building Facades
Improvement/
Development of
Public Spaces &
Seating Areas
Improvement of
Streetscape &
Sidewalks
Improvements in
Safety and/or
Cleanliness
Changes in Public
Parking Availability,
Management or
Policies
Amenity
Improvements for
Public Transit Users
and/or Bike Riders
MA DHCD LRRP Program 6
13. A few approaches to address Attraction and Retention of Customers and Businesses in
commercial districts are listed below. Considering the conditions in your commercial area, in
your opinion, how important are each of the following strategies?
Unimportant/
Not Needed
Of Little
Importance or
Need
Moderately
Important
Important Very
Important
More Cultural
Events/Activities to
bring People into
the District
More Opportunities
for Outdoor Dining
and Selling
Implementing
Marketing
Strategies for the
Commercial District
Recruitment
Programs to Attract
Additional
Businesses
Changes to Zoning
or Other Local
Regulations (not
related to COVID)
Creation of a
District
Management Entity
(Business
Improvement
District or other
organization)
MA DHCD LRRP Program 7
14. Are you interested in receiving assistance for your business in any of the following
areas? Select All that Apply.
____ Setting up an online store or other online selling channel
____ Creating new services such as delivery
____ Participating in shared marketing/advertising
____ Low-cost financing for storefront/façade improvements
____ Low-cost financing for purchasing property in the commercial district
____ Training on the use of social media
____ None of the above
15. Please list any specific suggestions or ideas for possible projects, programs or actions that
could help support businesses and improve the commercial district. (Optional)
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
16. Please provide the following information for the purpose of validating business responses. As
a reminder, response data will be only be delivered to the community in aggregate form so
your responses will be anonymous.
Business Name _____________________________________
Email Address _____________________________________
17. What is your position in the business?
____ Owner
____ CEO
____ Manager
____ Executive Director
____ Other
Thank you for participating!