Census Funding

One of the primary reasons local economic development rarely has access to world-class information is because it is enormously complex and expensive to acquire and sustain.

A unique aspect of the Business Census Initiative is that is it free to participating business advocacy groups.

The explanation of how this is possible may best be described with an analogy:

The cleanup of a major HAZMAT site is also complex and expensive. If someone had invented a cleanup methodology that produces copious amounts of pollution-free energy in the process, then it would be possible to sell the energy produced to pay for the cleanup. This is in essence what the IEDC/NCBER alliance has created with the Business Census.

Like a well-executed stratified random sample survey, the Business Census generates highly accurate strategic market information. But in addition, the Census also generates a massive stream of tactical detail data on specific companies as a byproduct - particularly in the hard-to-reach Small-to-Medium Enterprise (SME) segment.

This stream of detail data is highly valuable "energy" to stakeholders in the local economy such as banks, insurance, trust, telecommunications and media companies.

It provides them with an unheard of competitive advantage in local markets - and a direct, revenue-increasing, bottom-line ROI on their investment.

Best of all, by making the SME segment easier to reach, competition in this critical market is increased thus enhancing service and price-performance levels to them.

This is good for the SME market, the co-sponsors and the local community - especially considering that the foundation for future growth and prosperity is squarely and solidly rooted in the SME segment.
 

   Learn About the Benefits to Co-Sponsor Investors