Survey for NM Business Owners:

How might sustainable economic development policies benefit your business?

The following survey aims to gauge interest in issues related to sustainability among small business owners in New Mexico, and to track concerns related to running your small business. We would like to hear from businesses of all sizes, from freelancers/solopreneurs to businesses with many employees and/or locations.

We estimate it will take approximately 15 minutes to complete the survey. Most questions are optional. For narrative responses, brief is best.

The survey is anonymous and does not ask for any identifying information. We appreciate your care in entering information as accurately as you can. Click here for more information about our data collection and management policy.

Preliminary results were reported at the Sustainable Economy Policy Symposium on January 14, 2022, but we are continuing to collect responses to ensure that we hear as many points of view as possible. Further results will be shared in the coming weeks.

If you would like us to email the survey results to you, please sign up for email updates using the form at the bottom of this page. We will be sharing the results with our email list.

Thank you in advance for completing the survey and helping build a sustainable economy in New Mexico!

Section 1 of 4: Info About Your Business

How would you characterize your business type? *

Nonemployer (freelancer, sole proprietor, etc. that never or only occasionally hires contract help)
Main Street (local businesses, mom and pops)
Suppliers (B2B businesses)
High-growth (tech, scalable businesses)

Zip code of your primary business location / headquarters *

Section 2 of 4: Sustainability Issues, Policies & Resources

How do you define “sustainability” and what is your vision of a sustainable economy?

However you define "sustainability," how interested are you in topics related to sustainable, equitable economies and communities?

Deeply interested
Somewhat interested
Not interested

How actively do you follow economic development news and topics, especially related to sustainability?

Closely; read articles on the topic weekly
Loosely; read an article or two a month
Don't follow economic development news or topic at all

As a business owner, how interested are you in becoming more engaged in defining sustainable economic development policies?

Highly interested
Somewhat interested
Not interested

To what degree are you interested in managing your business to promote sustainability and community well-being?

Extremely interested and motivated, even if it affects my bottom line
Somewhat interested, but not if it affects my profitability
Not interested; business is business and profits are my only goal

From the following list, please choose the top 3 challenges you face as a business in New Mexico.

What are the most pressing challenges your business faces?

Please share your top resources (organizations, "thought leaders," websites, Twitter feeds, newsletters, etc.) for learning about the role small businesses can play in sustainable economic development.

Describe any efforts your business puts towards supporting its workers (if it has any), its community and the environment. Include any worker benefits or programs you feel are notable.

What policies at the local, state, or federal level would help your business be more successful?

What policies at the local, state, or federal level are detrimental to your business?

Have you ever engaged in public policy work before in your role as business owner? If yes, please briefly describe your experience.

Section 3 of 4: Access to Financing

Additional questions may appear depending on your answers.

Has your business ever sought start-up or expansion financing?

Section 4 of 4: Info About Your Business's Owners

Do 51% or more of your business owners identify as the members of following race-related demographic categories? Check all that apply.

Do 51% or more of your business owners identify as the members of following gender-related demographic categories? Check all that apply.

Were 51% or more of your business owners immigrants to the US within the last 5 years?

Yes
No
Prefer not to state