We want to hear from you about your priorities for economic development and what you think the City of Sandpoint should focus on in order to grow a more diverse, healthy, and vibrant economy. Your response to the survey will inform the priorities set forth in the Comprehensive Plan Update.
Looking out 20 years, what does a healthy and vibrant economy in Sandpoint look like to you? Be specific.
An economy where the residents of bonner county have adequate input to how their city is run and regulated. One where there is a variety of jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities available. Where safety, reliable infrastructure, a solid internet connection and affordable living are guaranteed. Any individual who works full time should be able to afford their own transportation and to put a roof over their head. Doing this while not forgetting the families that have blazed the trail so to speak for us all to be able to call this beautiful place our home should be in my opinion a priority to the city of sandpoint.
Through initial outreach during the Fall, we asked the community to start thinking about what they love about Sandpoint and to reflect on the values articulated in the existing 2009 Comprehensive Plan. Of the following, what are the top 3 that are most important for you?
Support new businesses and local entrepreneurs
Encourage companies to provide year-round employment
Other - Local incentives. (Locals should receive benefits for being locals)
What should Sandpoint be doing to help support these shared values?
Voting in sandpoint should include bonner county, not just the city limits. Many of sandpoints original families seem to have been pushed to the outer limits by the influx of "out of towners". These people are a huge part of our city on a multitude of levels and should be allowed to take place in the legislative process that they support financially.
Economic Diversity Goal: Create a vibrant and diverse economy in Sandpoint. Please rate the importance of each of the following policies. (1=not important, 5=very important)?
Encourage localism and innovative techniques to increase circulating dollars within the Sandpoint economy. - 5
Attract industries that provide jobs for graduates of higher educational programs and vocational-technical schools. - 3
Encourage the development of clean technologies. - 4
Encourage arts and environmental related employment. - 3
Please comment about the economic diversity goal and policies. Are there any policies that you feel are missing from the list above?
No response.
Neighboring Communities Goal: Join with neighboring communities to strengthen the regional economy. Please rate the importance of each of the following policies. (1=not important, 5=very important)?
Be an active partner with local economic development agencies. - 4
Improve transportation corridors to facilitate movement of goods into, out of, and through the region. - 5
Improve transportation facilities and services to facilitate movement of people through the region. - 3
Coordinate land use decisions with surrounding communities to limit commuting distance and redundant infrastructure. - 4
Please comment about the neighboring communities goal and policies. Are there any policies that you feel are missing from the list above?
No response.
Workforce Needs Goal: Provide Sandpoint workers with affordable housing options near jobs, public transportation, and non-motorized transportation options. Please rate the importance of each of the following policies. (1=not important, 5=very important)?
Encourage diversity of housing types as appropriate in land use districts. - No Opinion
Help reduce household transportation costs by allowing housing near jobs. - 1
Facilitate public transportation and/or non-motorized transportation connections between jobs and neighborhoods. - 4
Promote opportunities that employ Sandpoint residents in Sandpoint. - 5
Please comment about the workforce needs goal and policies. Are there any policies that you feel are missing from the list above?
No response.
Downtown Revitalization: Support downtown Sandpoint’s historic role as a major economic, social, and civic center of Bonner County. (1=not important, 5=very important)?
Focus economic development resources primarily on priority projects. Focus on solving specific problems. - 3
Encourage residential uses on the second story and above. - 1
Collaborate with local business organizations and assist in providing the infrastructure to attract new economically diverse business in the Downtown. - 3
Create a streetscape that encourages an active street life. - 3
Make downtown a primary multimodal friendly destination. - 1
Regularly update the Downtown Revitalization Plan. - 3
Encourage preservation of historic buildings. - 4
Retain high traffic downtown anchors. - No Opinion
Encourage first floor restaurants and diverse retail utilization. - 1
Please comment about the downtown revitalization goal and policies. Are there any policies that you feel are missing from the list above?
No response.
What is your current employment status?
Employed in my occupation/profession
What is your occupation/profession?
Tattoo Artist/Business owner
Where do you work?
Sandpoint
On a normal day, how long is your morning commute to work?
Less than 15 minutes
Do you commute into or out of Sandpoint?
I live and work in Sandpoint city limits.
If you commute from outside of Sandpoint to work or school what is the reason (choose all that apply):
No response.
If you live in Sandpoint and commute to a job outside of Sandpoint, please tell us why.
No response.
What are the most important economic development priorities (check all that apply):
Liveable wages
Retaining existing business and industry
Transportation options
What industries should be the top economic development priority (choose up to three):
Construction
Please indicate your level of agreement with each statement below (with 1 being not satisfied and 5 being very satisfied):
Sandpoint offers many great eating, drinking, and entertainment venues. - 4
Sandpoint offers high-quality public spaces such as parks, plazas, and walkable shopping streets - 3
Sandpoint offers high quality job opportunities in my occupation/profession. - 3
Sandpoint is a great environment for small business. - 4
Sandpoint offers adequate support and services for entrepreneurs and small business owners to startup and expand. - 2
I have access to great education and job training opportunities nearby. - Not applicable
Housing in Sandpoint is affordable to people and families with a range of different incomes. - 1
Existing transportation options in Sandpoint make it easy for me to get to work. - 2
Of the needs identified in the previous question we want to know which are the most important to you. Please select how important each action is for you (with 1 being not important and 5 being very important).
Increase the number of great eating, drinking, and entertainment places in Sandpoint - 2
Make it easier to find high quality job opportunities in my occupation/profession in Sandpoint. - 1
Improve opportunities for small businesses in Sandpoint - 3
Increase efforts to prevent displacement of small businesses in Sandpoint - 4
Offer more services for entrepreneurs and small business owners to get established or expand in Sandpoint - 4
Increase the education and job training opportunities in Sandpoint - 1
Increase the diversity and affordability of housing options in Sandpoint - 5
What types of products and services would you like to have available in Sandpoint?
No response.
Where do you primarily shop?
Autos and automotive parts - Other in Bonner County
Clothing - Online
Food/beverage stores - Sandpoint
Garden and Nursery - Other in Bonner County
Grocery - Sandpoint
Home Improvement - Other in Bonner County
Furniture and Appliances - Online
Pharmacy - Other in Bonner County
Electronics - Online
Jewelry - Sandpoint
Sporting Goods - Other in Bonner County
Books - Online
Other - Online
Where do you go to get the following services?
Automotive Repair - Other in Bonner County
Banking/Financial services - Other in Bonner County
Business services - Sandpoint
Childcare - Other in Bonner County
Dry Cleaner/tailor - Sandpoint
Legal - Sandpoint
Medical - Not applicable
Dental - Sandpoint, Not applicable
Restaurants - Sandpoint
Coffee/tea shops - Sandpoint
Personal - Outside Bonner County
What are the biggest deterrents to shopping locally in Sandpoint for goods or services (choose as many as apply)?
Parking
What would incentivize you to shop locally?
Better maintenance provided by the city for the downtown area such as, snow removal on the sidewalks to make them safer and tree trimming (having to duck around branches to get to sidewalk from parking, and not being able to see business fronts from the street because of trees blocking the view) and some sort of parking garage or facility where I didnt have to stop spending money and supporting local business just to go move my vehicle. Usually when that time expires I just stop shopping for the day and leave instead of moving my vehicle and continuing to shop.
Is there any feedback you would like to share regarding economic development within the City of Sandpoint?
Economic development in the city of sandpoint is quite a conundrum. If you ask most business owners in sandpoint the response will be the same. They just cant find employees who want to show up to work. Which is a multifaceted problem. It's a national crisis, a problem fueled by the poor local wages for servers and such (the fact that tips can be counted as part of a local servers wage is a travesty. (As a patron I do not tip to cover their wage. I already paid for my meal which should do that. I gave the tip as a gift, a thank you if you will for them doing an outstanding job.) Along with many other factors such as local seasonal culture. Not all of these things can be resolved by the city, but those that can should be attempted to be put I to motion and then VOTED ON by those that reside within Bonner County.
Do you own a business in Sandpoint city limits? (pick one)?
Yes
If you own a business, how many employees does your business employ, excluding yourself?
3
If you own a business, which of the following best describes your business?
Professional Services
If you own or have owned a business in Sandpoint, please choose your level of agreement with the following statements (with 1 being strongly disagree and 5 being strongly agree).
Sandpoint is a good place to locate and manage a business. - 4
Sandpoint is business friendly. - 2
It is easy to attract skilled workers to Sandpoint. - 3
It is easy to retain skilled workers in Sandpoint. - 3
Sandpoint is a good place to establish and maintain a retail business. - 3
Sandpoint is a good place to establish and maintain a professional service-oriented business. - 3
Sandpoint is a good place to establish and maintain a manufacturing business. - 2
Sandpoint is a good place to establish and maintain a construction business. - 4
There are plenty of affordable, quality housing options for my employees. - 1
How can the City support local business owners?
By working with them. Cleaning up after themselves. Dont just pave the streets, clean them REGULARLY as well on a schedule. The downtown area should never see an accumulation of trash, leaf litter, or snow build up on ANY of the sidewalks or streets. With a 1% retail tax increase the least that could be given back to business owners and patrons is a clean, attractive, safe downtown shopping area.
Using the numbered areas in the map above, identify where you live in Sandpoint. If you do not live in the Sandpoint city limits, please select the city or area in which you live:
Area 5
Tell us a little about your relationship with the City of Sandpoint. Check all that apply:
I work in Sandpoint
I often visit Sandpoint
I have a business interest or am looking to do business in Sandpoint
What is your age?
30-39
What is your annual household income?
$50,000 - $74,999
How many children under the age of 18 live at home?
3
Open Town Hall is not a certified voting system or ballot box. As with any public comment process, participation in Open Town Hall is voluntary. The responses in this record are not necessarily representative of the whole population, nor do they reflect the opinions of any government agency or elected officials.
Looking out 20 years, what does a healthy and vibrant economy in Sandpoint look like to you? Be specific.
An economy where the residents of bonner county have adequate input to how their city is run and regulated. One where there is a variety of jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities available. Where safety, reliable infrastructure, a solid internet connection and affordable living are guaranteed. Any individual who works full time should be able to afford their own transportation and to put a roof over their head. Doing this while not forgetting the families that have blazed the trail so to speak for us all to be able to call this beautiful place our home should be in my opinion a priority to the city of sandpoint.
Through initial outreach during the Fall, we asked the community to start thinking about what they love about Sandpoint and to reflect on the values articulated in the existing 2009 Comprehensive Plan. Of the following, what are the top 3 that are most important for you?
What should Sandpoint be doing to help support these shared values?
Voting in sandpoint should include bonner county, not just the city limits. Many of sandpoints original families seem to have been pushed to the outer limits by the influx of "out of towners". These people are a huge part of our city on a multitude of levels and should be allowed to take place in the legislative process that they support financially.
Economic Diversity Goal: Create a vibrant and diverse economy in Sandpoint. Please rate the importance of each of the following policies. (1=not important, 5=very important)?
Please comment about the economic diversity goal and policies. Are there any policies that you feel are missing from the list above?
No response.Neighboring Communities Goal: Join with neighboring communities to strengthen the regional economy. Please rate the importance of each of the following policies. (1=not important, 5=very important)?
Please comment about the neighboring communities goal and policies. Are there any policies that you feel are missing from the list above?
No response.Workforce Needs Goal: Provide Sandpoint workers with affordable housing options near jobs, public transportation, and non-motorized transportation options. Please rate the importance of each of the following policies. (1=not important, 5=very important)?
Please comment about the workforce needs goal and policies. Are there any policies that you feel are missing from the list above?
No response.Downtown Revitalization: Support downtown Sandpoint’s historic role as a major economic, social, and civic center of Bonner County. (1=not important, 5=very important)?
Please comment about the downtown revitalization goal and policies. Are there any policies that you feel are missing from the list above?
No response.What is your current employment status?
What is your occupation/profession?
Tattoo Artist/Business ownerWhere do you work?
On a normal day, how long is your morning commute to work?
Do you commute into or out of Sandpoint?
If you commute from outside of Sandpoint to work or school what is the reason (choose all that apply):
No response.If you live in Sandpoint and commute to a job outside of Sandpoint, please tell us why.
No response.What are the most important economic development priorities (check all that apply):
What industries should be the top economic development priority (choose up to three):
Please indicate your level of agreement with each statement below (with 1 being not satisfied and 5 being very satisfied):
Of the needs identified in the previous question we want to know which are the most important to you. Please select how important each action is for you (with 1 being not important and 5 being very important).
What types of products and services would you like to have available in Sandpoint?
No response.Where do you primarily shop?
Where do you go to get the following services?
What are the biggest deterrents to shopping locally in Sandpoint for goods or services (choose as many as apply)?
What would incentivize you to shop locally?
Better maintenance provided by the city for the downtown area such as, snow removal on the sidewalks to make them safer and tree trimming (having to duck around branches to get to sidewalk from parking, and not being able to see business fronts from the street because of trees blocking the view) and some sort of parking garage or facility where I didnt have to stop spending money and supporting local business just to go move my vehicle. Usually when that time expires I just stop shopping for the day and leave instead of moving my vehicle and continuing to shop.
Is there any feedback you would like to share regarding economic development within the City of Sandpoint?
Economic development in the city of sandpoint is quite a conundrum. If you ask most business owners in sandpoint the response will be the same. They just cant find employees who want to show up to work. Which is a multifaceted problem. It's a national crisis, a problem fueled by the poor local wages for servers and such (the fact that tips can be counted as part of a local servers wage is a travesty. (As a patron I do not tip to cover their wage. I already paid for my meal which should do that. I gave the tip as a gift, a thank you if you will for them doing an outstanding job.) Along with many other factors such as local seasonal culture. Not all of these things can be resolved by the city, but those that can should be attempted to be put I to motion and then VOTED ON by those that reside within Bonner County.
Do you own a business in Sandpoint city limits? (pick one)?
If you own a business, how many employees does your business employ, excluding yourself?
3If you own a business, which of the following best describes your business?
If you own or have owned a business in Sandpoint, please choose your level of agreement with the following statements (with 1 being strongly disagree and 5 being strongly agree).
How can the City support local business owners?
By working with them. Cleaning up after themselves. Dont just pave the streets, clean them REGULARLY as well on a schedule. The downtown area should never see an accumulation of trash, leaf litter, or snow build up on ANY of the sidewalks or streets. With a 1% retail tax increase the least that could be given back to business owners and patrons is a clean, attractive, safe downtown shopping area.
Using the numbered areas in the map above, identify where you live in Sandpoint. If you do not live in the Sandpoint city limits, please select the city or area in which you live:
Tell us a little about your relationship with the City of Sandpoint. Check all that apply:
What is your age?
What is your annual household income?
How many children under the age of 18 live at home?
3