Of the businesses that planned to expand, quality and availability of labor were the biggest threats. Those who said their operations were not successful were more likely than successful businesses to rank access and cost of capital as top threats. Besser said the survey showed pricing and competition were not overwhelming issues. We also asked about businesses' strategies for success, and offering lower prices ranked last. Owners and managers also ranked community-related strategies, such as improving the community and local cooperation, as important strategies for success.
Businesses are loyal to their towns.
Between 70 and 80 percent said they'd brag about their towns as places to locate a business. Most said they support their community in many ways, from buying supplies locally to donating to school programs. The survey was part of the ISU College of Agriculture's Rural Development Initiative, a series of research and extension programs addressing community development, economic development and technology issues in rural Iowa. Cherokee, Denison, Estherville, Webster City.