A Juneau data analysis firm is seeking responses to an annual Southeast Alaska business survey that will be used to guide state and regional economic policy.

The firm, Rain Coast Data, is conducting the survey on behalf of the state and Southeast Conference in partnership with community organizations from around the region, including the Haines Chamber of Commerce.

The survey is geared for business owners, managers and self-employed residents.

“Your responses to this survey will help determine statewide as well as Southeast priorities and will guide policy makers on how to best support your industries and communities,” Rain Coast Data director Meilani Schijvens wrote in an email to community partners.

The Alaska Department of Commerce and the University of Alaska are putting together – and seeking input for – a statewide Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. They will use data collected through the Southeast survey.

The survey “is like the economic ‘oil check’ that Southeast Conference and Rain Coast Data use to determine how all the communities are doing,” said Haines Chamber acting director Andrew Letchworth. “Combining the information brought from different communities identifies trends, weaknesses, and growth… If you want data-driven, science-based decisions, rather than the hunches, best guesses, or personal agendas of people in charge, then take the survey.”

Rain Coast Data first did a regional business climate survey in 2010 and has done one annually since 2015. This year’s survey is more in depth, since the last two years were dominated by covid informational needs, Schijvens said. She added that the survey this year includes a new section on housing due to reports of a housing crunch around Southeast.

Schijvens said hearing directly from business leaders is key to understanding what makes businesses succeed or struggle and to learning how to improve the economic climate across Southeast.

“I think the results are going to be really well utilized. Taking the survey is just a really great way for business owners to help their communities,” Schijvens said.

A report on the survey likely will be out in Juneau and will show how Haines’ business climate compares to other communities.

The survey can be taken at http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SEbusinessclimate.

Questions can be emailed to [email protected].