The Pierce County Economic Development Division, in partnership with local governments and economic development agencies, has launched the first-ever comprehensive survey of businesses across the four-county Puget Sound region. The “Job Sector Survey” builds on a 2010 survey that captured responses from nearly 1,200 King County businesses in 15 unique industry sectors. Along with benchmarking against the 2010 results, the 2011 Job Sector Survey will provide a richer illustration of the challenges, aspirations and opportunities for employers of all types and sizes. As in 2010, the data will be used as a guide for elected officials, policymakers and community leaders when making decisions that impact the local economy.

The survey is administered by the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce. Along with the Pierce County Economic Development Division and the Chamber, survey partners include the Prosperity Partnership, the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County, enterpriseSeattle, the Economic Alliance Snohomish County, the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance, The Seattle Times and the City of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development.

“The Job Sector Survey helps answer questions important to understanding and growing our economy in Pierce County and the region,” said Denise Dyer, manager of the Pierce County Economic Development Division. “First, it seeks to learn what your business needs to be successful here. Second, what is unique to our county and region that adds value to having your business here?” Dyer noted the 2011 survey includes questions designed to capture the impact of the “military economy” on the region. “Knowing the answers to these questions helps us to identify issues so we can work to remove obstacles for existing businesses and to highlight the community attributes when recruiting new companies to Pierce County,” she said.

Invitations for the online survey will be distributed to employers by each of the partner organizations beginning July 14. Here is a link to the 2011 survey — http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/jobsectorsurvey2011 . In addition, the survey is posted at http://www.piercecountywa.org/edd and a hard copy will be available upon request. Responses will be collected until Aug. 11. Each survey respondent will be entered to win two Southwest Airlines Green LUV tickets.

Since multiple organizations will be sending invitations, a single employer may get the survey from several sources. To verify data, participants will be asked to provide contact information. These details will remain confidential and no attribution to individuals will be made.