By Debby Woodin
dwoodin@joplinglobe.com
LAMAR, Mo. — An economic development survey will be taken in Barton County.
The project, called Barton County Biz, will start soon. The comprehensive survey will contact a cross section of businesses and industries of all sizes throughout the county.
The survey will be taken by the Barton County Community Development Corp. in conjunction with the Workforce Investment Board of Southwest Missouri.
The final report will provide an overview of business activities, problems and proposed solutions around the county for the corporation and a new director of economic development it hopes to have in place soon.
One of the goals of the group is to assist local businesses in retaining and creating jobs.
Barton County Biz is designed to help the corporation achieve this goal by identifying the needs and concerns of existing businesses, and their proposed solutions for improving Barton County’s economic situation.
Additionally, it will help the group develop a long-range economic development plan.
Gary Box, business retention and expansion coordinator for the Workforce Investment Board, will conduct the survey of Barton County businesses. During his visits, the needs, concerns and desires of the local businesses will be kept confidential, he said.
Names of individuals and businesses will be excluded in the final report.
Box said that with confidentiality ensured, business leaders will be free to discuss their concerns without fear of others knowing who made what comments in the final report.
Box said this will be the largest business survey ever conducted in Barton County.
