Despite improvements, businessesstill dissatisfied with building process

Business Partnership surveys county’s business community

By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
   Despite the township’s efforts to reduce red tape for new businesses to open in Hillsborough, local business owners still cited permitting and approvals as a barrier to doing business here in a 2006 survey.
   The Business Retention Outreach survey results were released by the Somerset County Business Partnership (SCBP), compiled from about 30 interviews conducted between June and September 2006.
   Gene Strupinsky, Hillsborough Township business advocate, interviewed the participating companies that, on the whole, represent about 433 employees in all kinds of industries throughout the township.
   According to John Maddocks, vice president of economic development with the SCBP, interviews were conducted with businesses in Hillsborough, Franklin and Bridgewater because they are the three municipalities in the county that have their own business staff.
   He said, from there, businesses were offered the opportunity to participate in the survey.
   ”We are trying to determine from the interviews whether the companies are expanding and need new employees, and how they view services in the municipalities,” he said. “We want to know if there are problems with utilities offered or if specific skill sets are needed among employees.”
   According to the Hillsborough results, 16 out of the 30 respondents in the survey stated that the greatest barrier to business growth in the township is the permitting and approvals process with the township.
   Mr. Maddocks said there have already been improvements in this area since the survey was completed, with the township creating a position for a chief administrator in the Building Department who will take care of permit requests and inspections, among other responsibilities that will enable businesses to effectively establish themselves.
   ”We are hoping to measure the response soon now that this position is in place,” he said.
   Mr. Strupinsky also said that recent changes in the township should better serve those trying to open or maintain a business.
   ”Hillsborough has made great strides in improving the permitting process, particular through customer service improvements in the building department and by re-initiating the business advocate program,” he said. “The business advocate helps guide businesses through the regulatory process. The new Sign Review Committee helps to expedite sign requests that formerly required an application to the Planning Board.”
   On average, out of 100, the survey found that companies give Hillsborough an average satisfaction rating of 64, taking into account different data points, including transportation options and customer accessibility.
   ”Quality of life and services provided by the township rated high,” Mr. Strupinsky said. “Hillsborough is a safe place for both employees and business property, which is highly desirable.”
   In terms of recruitment, the survey found that 23 out of the 30 companies found they were having difficulties in this area, but only 20 percent cited it as being the township’s problem, while 63 percent said it was an industry issue.
   ”Attracting qualified employees, particularly for industrial businesses, can be a problem,” Mr. Strupinsky said. “The state’s educational system isn’t turning out skilled craftsmen the way that it did in the past and those employed in Hillsborough often have to commute using congested Route 206, as there is limited public transportation available.”
   On a scale of one to seven, in evaluating public services in the town, the availability of ambulances and paramedics received the highest ranking, with a 6.67 average out of seven. The next highest ranking, 6.32, was given to the availability of police protection, with fire protection following at 6.3.
   Last on the list of public services, with a ranking of 1.95, was the availability of public transportation for residents and employees.
   Results from the 80 businesses interviewed throughout the entire county yielded similar results, with 51 of the companies citing recruitment issues, and 57 percent of the interviewees reporting that the problem was industrywide. Out of all those surveyed, 30 percent said the recruitment issues stemmed from community issues.
   Rankings of public services in the county also basically matched those found in Hillsborough with the availability of fire protection being at the top with 6.44 rating out of 10. The second highest was police protection, with a ranking of 6.3, followed by the availability of ambulances and paramedics with a rating of 6.21.
   Matching Hillsborough, the service with the lowest ranking was transportation, which received a 2.42 rating.
   In response to the Hillsborough data, Mr. Maddocks said the township is looking into different options including instituting the West Trenton Rail Line, but all these options will take some time to work out.
   Mr. Strupinsky also said the township is looking into several options to improve transportation in Hillsborough, including fully supporting the Route 206 bypass, bringing a train station to the township and improving road conditions to eliminate water ponding and ice.
   In an attempt to rectify several of the issues brought up during the survey, the Somerset County Business Partnership made several suggestions for the future of Hillsborough businesses. One such recommendation involved making the business advocate position full-time in an effort to allow the person to be the coordinator of all major economic developments in the township.
   Like Mr. Strupinsky, the partnership also suggested the creation of a transportation committee to work with federal, state and county agencies, and other municipalities on the Route 206 bypass; maintenance of county roads; the West Trenton Line passenger train station; local transportation needs; and other similar issues.
   ”I think that the report can provide elected officials with more information for when they are talking to the Department of Transportation,” he said. “With this survey, we have a clear indication of where the roadway is in need of improvement.”
   In addition to these, the partnership recommended using training programs and other methods of working with employees and students to provide the best possible service for customers.
   Mr. Maddocks said he was surprised to find that many businesses do not take advantage of the classes offered at the nearby Raritan Valley Community College, allowing employees to get specialized training to better assist their customers.
   ”It is really an easy place to get training,” he said. “We have been talking about building a better partnership with the college, but the resources it has are not widely known.”
   Overall, Mr. Maddocks said, the purpose of the survey, which has never been done before in Somerset County, is to find out what sorts of challenges the businesses are facing and determine what can be done to help.
   ”Our interest is in critical issues that are township or countywide and that need to be addressed,” he said. “From an economic development standpoint, we are very interested in that. We want to try and determine what the challenges are.”