LELAND, N.C. — The North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce recently conducted an online citizen survey to obtain citizens’ input and feedback on issues that impact northern Brunswick County, including the state of the economy, the proposed port in Southport, residents’ shopping habits and the greatest challenges facing northern Brunswick County.  A total of 237 people completed the survey.

“Northern Brunswick County has experienced tremendous growth in the past ten years, and growth brings a variety of new challenges and opportunities,” says Frank Williams, a northern Brunswick County native who serves as the chamber’s economic development chair.  “This survey indicated that traffic, infrastructure concerns and the economy are the top issues on the minds of many northern Brunswick County residents.  The survey also revealed that, while respondents are generally pessimistic about the national economy, they are somewhat more optimistic about the local economy.  In a nutshell, the survey confirms that we’ve got a good thing going in Brunswick County — but that we must demonstrate the leadership and wise decision-making required to ensure that we meet these challenges and continue moving in the right direction.”

The North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce serves the business community in northern Brunswick County, North Carolina.  Communities served by the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce include Leland, Belville, Navassa, Northwest, Sandy Creek, Winnabow, Maco, Phoenix and Town Creek.  For more information, please visit http://www.nbchamberofcommerce.com or call 910-383-0553.

Summary of Results

Methodology:

• Non-scientific; sample is comprised of whoever took time to respond
• Online survey conducted using SurveyMonkey.com
• Limited to one response per IP address
• Combination of multiple choice and open-ended questions
• Although non-scientific, provides interesting insight into what’s on citizens’ minds

How Promoted:

• North Brunswick Chamber publications
• Press release published in several publications and on numerous websites
• E-mails sent to Homeowners Associations in three of the area’s largest neighborhoods
• Insert in a local newspaper
• Posted on Facebook and numerous area websites
• Facebook ad targeting people living within 5 miles of Leland
• Respondents cited a variety of sources when asked how they heard about the survey

Number of Responses:

• 237 total responses
• Printed responses are 87 pages, including open-ended comments

Prior to beginning this survey, were you aware of the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce?

• Yes – I and/or my company are members:  15%
• Yes – I was aware of the Chamber, but am not a member:  76%
• No – 9%

Where Respondents Live:

• 81.4% live in Leland
• 5.1% live in Belville, 5.1% in Winnabow
• 2.5% live in Northwest
• 1.7% don’t live here but own a business that has dealings here
• 1.3% live in unincorporated area
• 0.8% live in Navassa, 0.8% in Sandy Creek, 0.4% in Maco

Respondents’ Employment Status:

• Retired:  42.3%
• Full-time/satisfied:  23.9%
• Self-employed/business owner: 9.4%
• Part-time/satisfied:  7.7%
• Full-time/looking:  4.7%
• Unemployed:  4.7%
• Part-time/seeking full-time: 1.3%
• Student:  0.4%
• Other:  5.6%

Age of Respondents:

• Under 18:  0%
• 18-25:  0.4%
• 26-35:  12.3%
• 36-49:  15.3%
• 50-64:  38.7%
• 65+:  33.2%
• 71.9% are 50 or older

How long have you lived in northern Brunswick County?

• Less than one year:  5.1%
• 1-2 years:  9.8%
• 3-4 years:  20.9%
• 5-9 years:  40.4%
• 10+ years, but not native:  15.3%
• Born & raised here: 6.4%
• Live elsewhere, do business here: 2.1%

Where did transplants move from?

• Top answer:  elsewhere in southeastern North Carolina, including elsewhere in Brunswick County
• Next leading answers:  elsewhere in NC, Virginia
• Other frequently mentioned states:  PA, MD, NJ, NY

Are you aware that Brunswick Community College offers a variety of continuing education programs (arts & crafts, MS Office, cooking, etc.)?

• Yes:  90%
• No:  10%

Are you aware that the Brunswick Community College Small Business Center offers seminars & counseling for small businesses?

• OVERALL:  Yes:  59%, No:  41%
• EMPLOYED, SELF-EMPLOYED or BUSINESS OWNER:  Yes:  63%, No:  37%
• BUSINESS OWNERS:  Yes:  71.4%, No: 28.6%

Are you aware of the Brunswick Community College Leland Center?

• Yes:  69.2%
• No:  30.8%

From which of the following do you obtain LOCAL news coverage?

• WECT TV6 Newscast:  65.8%
• Wilmington Star-News (print) – 55.1%
• WWAY TV3 Newscast:  40.2%
• Star-News website:  35.9%
• Radio News:  31.6%
• WECT TV6 Website:  28.2%
• The Local News & Review:  22.2%
• WWAY TV3 Website:  18.8%
• The Brunswick Beacon:  15.0%
• WILM TV-10 Newscast:  13.7%
• The State Port Pilot:  9.8%

View on the current state of the NATIONAL economy:

• Optimistic:  10.1%
• Pessimistic:  12.7%
• Recession, but on road to recovery:  25.7%
• Recession, will be there for some time:  37.6%
• Depression:  6.8%
• Unsure:  7.2%

Messages Derived from Responses on National Economy:

• UPBEAT:  Optimistic (10.1%) + On Road to Recovery (25.7%) = 35.8%
• NOT SO UPBEAT:  Pessimistic (12.7%) + In Recession for Some Time (37.6%) + Depression (6.8%) = 57.1%
• OBSERVATION:  Those who believe we will be in a recession for some time (37.6%) outweigh all of those who hold an upbeat view (35.8%).  We may “officially” be in a recovery, but perception is reality.

View on current state of the LOCAL economy:

• Optimistic:  20%
• Pessimistic:  9.4%
• Recession, but on road to recovery:  23.4%
• Recession, will be there for some time:  36.6%
• Depression:  1.7%
• Unsure:  8.9%

Messages Derived from Responses on Local Economy:

• UPBEAT:  Optimistic (20%) + On Road to Recovery (23.4%) = 43.4%
• NOT SO UPBEAT:  Pessimistic (9.4%) + In Recession for Some Time (36.6%) + Depression (1.7%) = 47.7%

If you live in northern Brunswick County, how frequently do you travel into Wilmington / New Hanover County?

• Daily – 28.3%
• 3-4 times/week:  32.9%
• 1-2 times/week:  27.8%
• Once every couple of weeks:  6.3%
• Rarely:  2.1%
• Other:  0.8%
• N/A – don’t live in North Brunswick – 1.7%

For what reasons do you typically travel into Wilmington / New Hanover County?

• Retail shopping (clothing, etc):  80.6%
• Restaurants:  74.0%
• Beaches:  34.8%
• Place of employment:  24.2%
• Nightlife:  18.5%
• Grocery shopping:  10.1%
• Don’t live in North Brunswick: 2.2%
• Respondents were able to select multiple answers

Open-ended comments regarding reasons respondents typically travel into Wilmington / New Hanover County (things not on list, but volunteered by respondents):

• Far and away most prominent answer:  doctors / medical care
• Strong second place:  church
• Others frequently mentioned:  business, shopping, cultural opportunities, movies, recreation, visit family, volunteering.

Do you feel that you are able to obtain high quality professional services (legal, accounting, etc.) in northern Brunswick County)?

• Yes:  43.7%
• No:  19.9%
• Unsure:  36.4%

Open-ended comments regarding the ability to obtain high quality professional services in northern Brunswick County:

• One strong trend:  many people have established relationships in Wilmington and are sticking with those relationships
• Another noticeable trend: not aware of available professional services in northern Brunswick County:  “Not many choices”, “If they are here I don’t know where to find them”
• Presents both a marketing challenge and opportunity for our local business community

Other than shopping for groceries, how often do you shop in northern Brunswick County?

• More than once a week:  17.0%
• Once a week:  19.6%
• A few times a month:  31.5%
• Once a month:  9.4%
• Less than once a month:  20.9%
• Other/unsure:  1.7%

How would you rate the quality of your shopping experience in northern Brunswick County?

• Excellent:  2.2%
• Good:  28.6%
• Fair:  48.1%
• Poor:  19.9%
• N/A – don’t shop here:  0.9%
• Unsure:  0.4%

Analysis of respondents’ perceptions of their shopping experience in northern Brunswick County:

• Excellent/Good:  30.8%
• Fair/Poor/Don’t Shop Here:  68.9%

Respondents’ open-ended comments on their shopping experience in northern Brunswick County:

• Limited options other than groceries, Wal-Mart, pharmacies
• Perception:  “Not enough choices”

Desired Retail Shopping Options:

• Runaway Winner:  Home Improvement (Lowes or Home Depot)
• Strong Second Place:  Clothing / Department Stores (emphasis on quality/upscale options)
• Prominently Mentioned Names:  Trader Joe’s, Belk’s, Marshall’s, Target

Desired Restaurants / Entertainment:

• Runaway Winner:  Movie Theatre
• Strong Second Place:  Nicer, sit-down restaurants (family dining, “not fast food”, “not chains”)
• Third Place:  Steakhouse
• Others prominently mentioned:  country cooking, specialty/ethnic foods, Chic Fil A, IHOP, Italian, seafood
• Other comments:  take advantage of our riverfront, especially downtown Belville

REVIEW respondents’ perceptions of their shopping experience in northern Brunswick County:

• Excellent/Good:  30.8%
• Fair/Poor/Don’t Shop Here:  68.9%
• Source of discontent seems to be a perceived lack of options
• Opportunity:  for new & existing businesses to meet that need (requires effective marketing)
• Challenge:  do we have enough rooftops to create sufficient demand?

Respondents’ Views on the Greatest Challenges facing northern Brunswick County:

• FAR AND AWAY #1:  Traffic / infrastructure-related issues (“infrastructure not keeping up with growth”
• Jobs & the economy
• Maintaining our quality of life
• Lack of shopping / dining options

Respondents’ Thoughts on the Traffic Challenge:

• Need another bridge into Wilmington; mixed responses on whether skyway is the best solution
• Finish I-140
• Mentioned, but less frequently:  Causeway expansion
• Mentioned, but less frequently:  Widen 133 between Leland & Southport

Area’s Greatest Assets:

• LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!
• Proximity / convenience to Wilmington, Southport, Myrtle Beach, etc.
• Small-town atmosphere
• Natural scenery / landscape
• Low taxes
• Available land

Respondents’ Thoughts on Improving our Future:

• Recruit larger businesses to create jobs
• Keep taxes low
• Walking / biking trails
• “More things to do” (cultural activities, entertainment)

What is your opinion of the proposed port in Southport?

• Support construction:  26.3%
• Support feasibility study:  28.4%
• Oppose:  17.4%
• Unsure / need more info:  25%
• Not aware of proposed port:  3.0%

Analysis:  Respondents’ opinions of the proposed port in Southport:

• Support outright:  26.3%
• UNDECIDED / UP FOR GRABS:  Support study (28.4%) + Need More Info (25%) = 53.4%
• Oppose outright:  17.4%
• Not aware of proposed port:  3.0%

Respondents’ comments –supportive of port:

• Jobs
• Economic impact

Respondents’ concerns about port:

• Environmental concerns (“I want to make sure it is not going to damage the waterway and our beaches/inlets”)
• Impact on roads / traffic / infrastructure
• Cost
• Won’t generate promised economic impact; poor return on investment

Observation – Review of major issues on citizens’ minds:

• Traffic / Infrastructure
• Jobs / Economy
• Perceived lack of available retail / shopping / professional services in northern Brunswick County
• Maintaining quality of life as we grow

Observation — Major issues rarely mentioned:

• Education / schools
• Literacy
• Could be due to the percentage of retirees who moved here and have not been exposed to those issues in this area

Challenge — Traffic:

• The single most pressing concern appears to be solving the area’s traffic problems and ensuring that infrastructure keeps up with growth; the specific hot-buttons mentioned most frequently are the commute between Leland and Wilmington and the traffic in Highway 17 in Leland
• Local government leaders face the task of meeting this challenge while keeping taxes low (low taxes were an issue that popped up several times throughout the open-ended responses)

Challenge – Recruiting Businesses:

• Many respondents indicated a desire for more dining and shopping options in northern Brunswick County
• Area leaders face the challenge of strategically recruiting such businesses to the area and creating an environment in which they can grow and prosper

Challenge – Promoting Area Businesses:

• Many respondents indicated that they did not know about area businesses (i.e. professional service providers)
• As the area grows, local government leaders and the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce face the challenge of promoting our business community and encouraging residents to do business in their local community

Challenge – Developing Our Businesses:

• The Brunswick Community College Small Business Center, the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce and other area leaders face the challenge of ensuring that new & existing businesses know about the Center’s offerings and other Workforce Development programs at BCC

Challenges – Economic Development:

• Various stakeholders (County, Municipalities, Chamber, BCC) need to do a better job of working together to bring new businesses to the area and create an environment in which they can grow and prosper

Challenges for Advocates of the Proposed Port:

• Majority of respondents are up for grabs
• Port advocates should provide data to back up claims regarding the anticipated economic impact & jobs created
• Port advocates should provide numbers which show that the benefit will outweigh the cost
• Port advocates should address concerns regarding the proposed port’s impact on the environment, roads/infrastructure & quality of life
• Port advocates should be more pro-active in terms of listening to and addressing the public’s concerns and educating the public on the project’s anticipated benefits

Opportunities:

• 34.8% of respondents indicated they travel to New Hanover County’s beaches; this presents a marketing opportunity for our beaches to attract in-county visitors (if they so desire)
• Numerous respondents indicated they travel to New Hanover County to volunteer; this presents an opportunity for our county’s many worthy non-profits to recruit new volunteers in northern Brunswick County.