By Staff
NILES - Chances are good that area residents answering their phone during March may find a Niles Main Street survey volunteer on the other end of the line.
It's that future that will be the very topic of an upcoming area-wide survey that will be conducted by Niles Main Street program volunteers. The survey is estimated to take most respondents only about five to eight minutes to complete.
Bill Haslett, Economic Restructuring Chair for Niles DDA Main Street, said the group is enthusiastic to participate in the study, "It will be interesting to hear the various perspectives of area residents. We view it as a great opportunity to gain keen insight on the market and opportunities for downtown," said Haslett.
Haslett said volunteers would conduct the consumer survey using two methods that will encourage a high level of community participation and provide a representative sample of opinions from Niles area residents and visitors.
A telephone survey will be conducted to poll residents in Niles and the surrounding area. Haslett said telephone numbers would be generated at random to ensure anonymity, "so people can speak freely and share their honest opinions." Volunteers will begin calling Niles area households during the week of March 21, primarily during the early evening hours.
During the same week, volunteers stationed at various locations in the Niles downtown area will begin conducting a customer intercept survey. Shoppers and others at those locations will be asked to pause fora few minutes to complete the questionnaire. Like the telephone survey, the identity of those completing the intercept survey will be kept anonymous.
Haslett said volunteers would also conduct a downtown business survey to assess the supply side of downtown Niles market equation. Business owners and managers will have the chance to provide their own opinions by completing a survey questionnaire that will be dropped off and picked up by volunteers. An unmarked envelope will be provided with the questionnaire to maintain the anonymity of business completing the form.
Haslett said, "We're only asking people for about seven or eight minutes, but people can tell us a great deal in that short time, and, unlike a test, there is no right or wrong answer."
He added that the candid opinions of those asked to participate in the surveys, "will help Niles Main Street program leaders and downtown advocates develop and focus on strategies that are best for Niles, moving downtown toward a future that we can all get excited about."
Haslett said, "The survey results will help us identify emerging opportunities and better plan for downtown Niles' future. We'll be in a better position to capitalize on opportunities that the community has identified for the downtown, including local market opportunities that could lead to new businesses and the expansion of existing businesses."
A summary of the survey results and findings will be included in the Downtown Niles Market Study Report scheduled for completion in June. The report will outline specific business development and marketing strategies for downtown Niles, along with recommendations for projects and implementation strategies.
Haslett said "There is still room for people who would like to Volunteer and help us make phone calls or staff the intercept survey stations." He noted that a training session for survey volunteers is scheduled for March 16.
For more information or to volunteer, contact the Niles DDA Main Street office at (269) 687-4332.