Community and Economic Development Agency, Oakland California

Business Assistance Center Survey

The City of Oakland is considering developing a Business Assistance Center. This center would be one place where small businesses could go to find out anything they need to know about starting, running, and growing a business in the city of Oakland. The center would help people figure out things like:
- Where to locate your business
- Which city or county department can help you with things like permits or zoning or getting a business license.
- Which local organizations can help you with things like loans, marketing and business plan development.

We anticipate that this center will be located right next to City Hall in downtown Oakland, that there will be a website and possibly a phone hotline that can provide much of the information you need without even visiting the physical center.

We appreciate your feedback on this center. You are the small business owner we want to help, and we hope you can tell us whether and how to build it!

The survey deadline is January 25th. Thank you for your assistance!

If you have questions or problems with this survey, please contact
David Schecter
Business Development
City of Oakland Community and Economic Development Agency
510.238.6151
510.238.2226 fax

* 1. What services and/or information topics would you like to see provided in a Small Business Assistance Center that would be (or could have been) helpful to your business?

	Very Important	Important	Not important
Starting a Business
Business license and name registration
Business taxes
Wages and employer information
Growth and expansion issues: new locations, increasing staff, etc.
Permits, zoning, application and renewal
Sources of funding / loans
Locations available for purchase, renting/leasing
Educational workshops, seminars and accredited classes (marketing, business planning, financing, HR)
Business District Information (safety, parking, cleanliness, storefront facades)

* 2. What other information and/or services would you like to be able to access at an Oakland Business Assistance Center?

* 10. If the city created a Business Assistance Center (BAC), in which of the following ways would you be most likely to use it?

* 3. During what times would you be likely to use the center? (Check all that apply)

* 4. How likely would you be to use the center on weekends?

Very Likely

Somewhat Likely

Not likely

5. What do you think are the biggest benefits of having your business located in Oakland?

6. What do you think are the biggest obstacles to successfully operating a business in Oakland?

7. Which, if any, of the following ways would you be willing to help cover the costs of this center?

Pay for specific services you use at the BAC

Pay an annual fee when you renew your business license

Other

* 8. Are you able to use information and services provided in English?

Yes

No

* 9. In which language would you prefer to receive information and services?

11. Please list any organizations, public agencies or other resources you currently use to help you run your businsess.

12. Do you have any other comments or recommendations?

* What is your role in small business in Oakland?

If you are a small business owner or employee, what type of business are you in?

13. Please enter the zip code of your business location.

* Indicates Response Required

	Very likely	Somewhat likely	Not likely
Go to a building near city hall
Call a telephone hotline
Use a website