Estimates indicate that between 60 and 80 percent of new employment is due to existing businesses. A Business Visitation Program is a mechanism by which a community decides upon which existing business programs it wants to emphasize. The visits provide a community with comprehensive information that can be used by local and state governments, business leaders, and other planning groups. Over 40 states have some form of a visitation program. The community retains ownership of the program, shapes the focus of a survey, is actively involved in collecting and analyzing data, and plans for a response to the data.
Local volunteers visit businesses to learn of their concerns, problems, and needs.
When the surveys are completed a Task Force reviews the surveys. Task Force members respond to immediate concerns. The surveys are coded and analyzed at a university or research center. Through a process involving the local Task Force, recommendations are suggested, discussed, and voted upon. The final results and recommendations are reported back to the businesses and the community.