Chautauqua 20/20 Phone Survey Results Barry Zeplowitz & Associates December 2009

BARRING ANY UNEXPECTED EVENTS, DO YOU INTEND TO STAY IN CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE?

APPROXIMATELY HOW MANY TIMES A MONTH DO YOU TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY TO SHOP, EAT, RECREATE OR FOR OTHER REASONS THAT DO NOT INCLUDE WORK? WHAT IS YOUR SINGLE BIGGEST REASON FOR TRAVELING OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY, BESIDES FOR WORK? o 45% percent of the respondents travel outside of the county 1-2 times/month, 23% said 3-4 times/month, and 11% said 5-6 times/month. o The single biggest reason for traveling outside of the county was for retail shopping (45%).

WHAT IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST ISSUE OR PROBLEM FACING CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY TODAY, THE ONE THAT CONCERNS YOU THE MOST?

WOULD YOU LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE INPUT INTO THE PLANNING PROCESS IN DEVELOPING THE COUNTY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN? IF THE COUNTY HELD A PUBLIC MEETING IN YOUR COMMUNITY TO DISCUSS THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND HOW YOU COULD PARTICIPATE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLAN, WOULD YOU ATTEND? o 40% of those polled said they would like the opportunity to provide input. o Almost 2/3rds of those polled said they would attend public meetings if they were held in their community.

IN ADDITION TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WOULD YOU LIKE THE COUNTY'S NEW COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO HELP PROTECT THE RURAL NATURE OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY?

DO YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET? WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO FILL OUT AN ON-LINE SURVEY REGARDING THE COUNTY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT WOULD TAKE APPROXIMATELY 1/2 HOUR TO COMPLETE? o 70% of those polled have access to the internet. o Almost 60% said they would be willing to fill out an on-line survey regarding the county's comprehensive plan.

HOW IMPORTANT TO YOU IS CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY'S RURAL HERITAGE:

DO YOU THINK PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY HAVE A VERY FAVORABLE, SOMEWHAT FAVORABLE, SOMEWHAT UNFAVORABLE OR VERY UNFAVORABLE IMPRESSION OF THE COUNTY?

WOULD YOU SUPPORT OR OPPOSE THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INDUSTRIAL PARK IN YOUR COMMUNITY? o Over 70% of respondents support the development of an industrial park in their community.

IN WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING AREAS SHOULD THE COUNTY BE CONCENTRATING ITS DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS:

WOULD YOU SUPPORT OR OPPOSE LOCATING CLEAN ENERGY PROJECTS IN YOUR COMMUNITY, SUCH AS WIND FARMS, SOLAR ENERGY OR METHANE FROM LANDFILLS? o The respondents were clearly in support of clean energy projects. Over 86% of the respondents would support wind farms, solar energy or methane projects in their communities.

IF YOU OPPOSE CLEAN ENERGY PROJECTS, IS IT BECAUSE OF

WOULD YOU SUPPORT THE COUNTY CONCENTRATING ITS EFFORTS ON EXPANDING HIGH TECHNOLOGY MANUFACTURING IN CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY? o Almost 90% of the respondents said they would support the county concentrating its efforts on expanding high-technology manufacturing.

ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF THE COUNTY CONCENTRATING ITS EFFORTS ON MUNICIPAL COOPERATION AND SHARING OF SERVICES? o When inquiring about municipal cooperation and sharing of services, 85% said they were in favor of the county concentrating its efforts on this issue.

DO YOU WORK IN CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY OR OUTSIDE THE COUNTY?

WHAT IS THE NATURE OF YOUR EMPLOYMENT?

ARE YOU GENERALLY IN SUPPORT OF MERGING SCHOOL DISTRICTS? o Almost 60% of those polled said they were in favor of merging school districts, 25% were not, and 14% were not sure. o When asked whether they were in favor of their own school district merging, 51% said yes, 34 said no, and 15% were not sure.

Chautauqua 20/20 Breakout Group Discussion

BREAKOUT GROUP QUESTIONS o What are the present strengths of Chautauqua County? o What are the present weaknesses of Chautauqua County? o What ideas do you have for the future of Chautauqua County?