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Tri-County Council for Western Maryland (TCCWMD) is a three-county, local government planning and development organization in Western Maryland serving Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties and their twenty-four municipalities. Recognized by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) as the region's Economic Development District, TCCWMD is responsible for creating a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). This document will serve as the fundamental plan for the agency's economic development efforts for the communities it serves for the next five years. This survey seeks to understand the views of community members on the opportunities and threats associated with the region's growth and development. As part of the process, the agency wants the regional community to have strong and substantive input. Specifically, TCCWMD asks the region to guide its economic development efforts by helping to prioritize issues that affect Western Maryland.


Participation in the survey is voluntary and answers will remain completely anonymous.

The survey can be completed in ten minutes or less.


All participants who complete the survey will have the opportunity to be entered in a drawing to receive one of five $100 VISA gift cards.

Participants must be 18 years or older.


Results of the survey will be available online in Fall 2022.



* 1. Please enter the Postal Zip Code for your primary residence
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* 2. Please enter the Postal Zip Code for your place of employment
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3. Select the two most important reasons why you have chosen to live where you reside
4. Which of the following describe your role in the local economy (select all that apply)

Please take a moment to provide your input on the following three questions before beginning the Quick Response portion of the Survey.
5. What is the biggest opportunity in the region for productive economic development?
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6. What is the biggest unaddressed need in the region, the need which most stands in the way of productive economic development?
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7. What is the biggest threat in the region, the threat which most stands in the way of productive economic development?
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Please use the scale provided for the following Quick Response portion of the Survey.

Topic: Broadband
8. The availability of broadband internet connectivity in our region meets the needs of my business/employer location
9. The availability of broadband internet connectivity in our region meets the needs of my personal residence
10. The cost for adequate internet at my primary residence is affordable
11. My place of employment currently allows teleworking
12. I envision teleworking to become more common in the future at my place of employment

Topic: Economic Development
13. Our region's local government actively supports and appropriately provides incentives for regional business development
14. Our region's state government actively supports and appropriately provides incentives for regional business development
15. Our region's access to private and public sources of business capital meets expectations
16. Our region's access to entrepreneurial and small business support services meets expectations
17. PRIMARY roads and transportation infrastructure meets expectations to grow the economy in our region
18. SECONDARY roads and transportation infrastructure meets expectations to grow the economy in our region
19. Our region encourages revitalization and reutilization of vacant or existing properties for business development
20. Business activities in Real Estate, Construction, and Land Development present economic development opportunity for our region
21. The public utilities in the region (water, sewer, trash removal & recycling, etc) meet expectations for growth and economic development in my zip code
22. The availability of police and fire and emergency services meets expectations
23. Access to commuter services (air, train, bus) meets expectations to grow the economy in our region
24. Access to adequate public transportation serves the needs of the region
25. Transportation to/from work creates a barrier to access employment
26. The region's workforce is adequate to attract new businesses in the areas of (select all that apply)
27. Indicate the most important category to invest resources in the region (select only one)
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28. Indicate the second most important category to invest resources in the region (select only one)
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Topic: Education
29. Our region's education institutions provide business and technical skills to support businesses in the region
30. Technical/vocational schools offer local graduates the chance to find employment in the region
31. Adequate programs exist to retrain un/underemployed workers and veterans enabling them to remain in the region
32. K - through - 12 public education in the region meets expectations
33. Higher education institutions in our region meet expectations
34. Technical/vocational education institutions in our region meet expectations
35. The technical/vocational training not currently offered that you feel is needed for the region's growth and development
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Topic: Healthcare
36. Health care service presents economic development opportunities for our region
37. Access to health care in our region meets expectations
38. The health care services I require are available in the region
39. There are adequate mental, behavioral, and addictions resources for those in need over 18 years of age
40. There are adequate mental, behavioral, and addictions resources for those in need under 18 years of age
41. Your family/business has been affected by drug addiction issues

Topic: Housing
42. The availability of affordable and desirable housing meets the needs of our region
43. The availability of workforce housing meets the needs of our region
44. Indicate the desired price you, as a consumer, would expect to pay for homes in your community
45. Are there desirable homes in that price range available in the area

Topic: Leisure & Hospitality (Tourism)
46. Our region's leisure & hospitality economy bringing visitors to the region supports regional business development
47. The following amenities are sufficient in the region (select all that apply)
48. Access to wellness/fitness centers in our region meets expectations
49. Access to day care services in our region meets expectations
50. Retail service industries present business opportunities for economic development for our region
51. What percentage of your shopping is done online
52. The leisure & hospitality industry fosters workforce development opportunity for our region
53. Leisure & hospitality are important parts of the local economy

Topic: Workforce
54. Our region's workforce is sufficiently trained and available to support current businesses
55. Our region's workforce is sufficiently trained and available to support new businesses
56. Our region's higher education institutions support workforce training opportunities
57. Our region provides employment opportunities to retain young workers
58. Our region effectively attracts workers (of all ages) to the area with employment opportunities
59. Our region provides professional-level employment opportunities for spouses/significant others of relocating professionals
60. Manufacturing provides employment opportunities for highly trained and skilled workers for our region
61. Which of the following industry sectors present opportunity for growth and economic development in your zip code (select up to three)
62. How detrimental to the region's workforce is the current drug addiction issue
63. Considering the entire survey, what question should have been asked that was not? Please feel free to provide your answer to that question
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64. Indicate the importance of social media in everyday life
65. Indicate media outlets you use to stay up-to-date with current economic events/trends
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Please take a moment to complete the following optional questions. In this section, you will also be able to provide details on how we should contact you if you are a winner of a $100 VISA Gift Card.
66. What is your age?
67. What is your total combined annual household income?

How should we contact you if you are a winner of a $100 VISA Gift Card?
68. Phone
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69. Email Address
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