Survey: Springfield citizens want more businesses

Almost three-quarters of those surveyed said attracting more jobs to the area was very important, according to survey results released Tuesday.

Questionnaires were mailed out in two waves in April and May, and 53 percent – the lowest in a decade – responded.

A desire among respondents to attract new businesses to the area remained strong this year, with 86 percent indicating the issue was very important.

Respondents were similarly interested in expanding existing local businesses, with 85 percent ranking the topic very important.

Growth policy issues, such as attracting more visitors and continued downtown development, have grown in importance over the last 10 years, according to survey results.

In 1996, 57 percent of respondents said attracting more visitors was very important. That number jumped to 67 percent in 2006.

Less than half of respondents considered downtown development very important in 1996. Now, close to 60 percent consider the issue very important, according to the results.

Traffic congestion was again cited as the biggest problem facing Springfield. Almost 70 percent of respondents said improving traffic flow is very important.

Opinion Research Specialists of Springfield conducted the survey, which has 3.5 percent margin of error.