2004 Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Member Issues Survey Summary

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, under the direction of the Government Affairs Committee, chaired by Dan Holt, conducts an annual survey of its membership to help identify and prioritize the organization’s “Agenda for Growth 2004.”  The Agenda for Growth lays out issues to help make Brooklyn an even greater place to work and live.  Each year the document is updated, looking at government issues that affect businesses in Brooklyn.

During the month of February 2004, a three-page survey was issued to 1,155 Brooklyn Chamber Members.  The overall response rate was 15% (172 responses).

The survey was compiled into two parts.  Part I required Chamber Members to rank specific issues that are obstacles to growth, from taxes to workforce development to insurance to real estate to government regulations to traffic.  Part II of the survey sought Chamber Members’ opinions on specific issues such as The Health Care Equity & Access Law (HEAL New York), legislative issues, local regulatory reform and general issues.  21% of the respondents said they would be forced to cut jobs if HEAL New York became a law.

Brooklyn Chamber Members were asked to rank 16 obstacles to growth based upon the current condition of their business.  Following are the top issues and the percentage of businesses that ranked the issues as a “problem” or “severe problem”:

1.  Cost of Liability Insurance
     76% -- still remains our Member’s leading concern, and, ranked number one in the previous year’s survey 

2.  Increased Cost of Health Insurance
     69% -- holding steady at position two (the second greatest problem) compared to last year’s survey

3.  Real Estate Taxes
     58% -- ranked third

4.  Workers’ Compensation Costs
     58% -- tied for third