2010 Fox Cities Economic Outlook Survey

Survey Composition

Was your firm’s local employment: ahead, the same as or behind the previous year?

Actual Employment Previous Year

How would you rate the availability of qualified workers for the positions that you filled?

Availability of Qualified Workers

Average Unemployment Rates Average Unemployment Rates Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

Unemployment Rates 2009 Unemployment Rates 2009 Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

Was your gross sales activity: ahead of, the same, or behind the previous year?

Actual Gross Sales in Previous Year

Were your profits: ahead of, the same as or behind the previous year?

Actual Profits in Previous Year

What was the average change in salary for your Fox Cities Employees?

Average Change in Salary in 2009

Forecast Change in Salary in 2010

2009 Forecasts vs Actual Performance

2009 Forecast vs Actual

Turning now to the coming year, do you anticipate your local employment to: increase, remain the same or decrease?

Forecast of Local Employment in Coming Year

Do you expect your gross sales volume to… increase, remain the same, or decrease?

Forecast of Gross Sales in Coming Year

Do you expect profits to: increase, remain the same or decrease?

Forecast of Profits in Coming Year

Is your firm planning a local capital expansion?

Planning Capital Expansions

2009 Forecasts vs Forecasts – Are we more optimistic?

2009 Forecasts vs Forecasts

How would you rate the vitality of the national economy at this present time?

National Economic Vitality

How would you rate the vitality of the Fox Cities economy at this present time?

Fox Cities Economic Vitality

Economic Vitality Perceptions Surveys

By the end of the year, do you anticipate the Fox Cities economy will have….grown, stabilized, or declined?

Economic Projection

When do you feel the economy will rebound?

Recovery by Quarter

Compared to other US Cities of similar size, how would you rate the Fox Cities as a place in which to do business?

Fox Cities Compared to Other Places in which to do Business

Compared to other US Cities of similar size, how would you rate the Fox Cities as a place in which to live?

Fox Cities Compared to Other Places in which to Live

2010 Economic Outlook Summary There were fewer businesses that realized an increase in employment, sales and profits during 2009 versus The number of businesses expecting an increase in employment in 2010 is up significantly from last year’s survey. Most businesses, however, expect employment levels to remain the same. With fewer firms forecasting a decrease in employment for 2010.

Salary increases in 2009 were primarily less than 3 percent. And projections for 2010 salary increases also is expected to be less than 3 percent. Forecast in gross sales and profits is significantly more optimistic than last year, with a greater number of businesses anticipating an increase. The number of planned capital expansions is about the same as last year Economic Outlook Summary

Faith in the local economy remains stronger than the national economy and up slightly from The majority of the businesses believe that the Fox Cities economy will stabilize in The vast majority of the businesses still believe the Fox Cities is a better place to conduct business and reside than in other comparable markets. The majority of businesses believe that the Fox Cities economy will rebound in Economic Outlook Summary

2010 Fox Cities Economic Outlook Survey