new economy attitudes and beliefs in west virginia

Create WV Statewide Survey

December 2008 Telephone Survey by Marshall University Center for Business and Economic Research

Summary ResultsMarch 2009

© Vision Shared

createwv.com visionshared.com

What Does West Virginia Really Think?• While West Virginia is often ranked at the bottom of most “new economy”

indicators, the Creative Communities team of Vision Shared (www.visionshared.com) wanted to measure the support among typical West Virginians on issues related to new economy growth.

• Is West Virginia’s lack of new economy success to date due to a lack of support from the citizens of West Virginia? Is there support for key issues and initiatives in areas such as 21st century learning, technology, entrepreneurship, “quality of place” and diversity?

• A random telephone survey of over 1,000 West Virginia households executed by Marshall University’s Center for Business and Economic Research revealed surprising insights.

• The purpose of releasing this survey is to encourage leaders across West Virginia at state and local levels to tune into the voice of West Virginians, who, based on the results of this survey, clearly support new economy policies, programs and iniatives.

2


The “New” Economy• Focuses on the “what” and the

“how” • Delivers new intellectual

property • Is consistently innovative• Internet-enabled • Global • Breathes new life into other

industries – manufacturing, service, etc.

www.createwv.com

Create WVMission:

To empower West Virginians at a local level to place themselves among the most innovative, dynamic, prosperous,

creative communities in the world, and to attract more creative talent to the state through investments in:

Talent/ Education Technology Tolerance/ Diversity

Quality of Place

•College/advanced degree attainment• STEM skills• Entrepreneurial and leadership skills

•Broadband availability and adoption • R&D investments and commercialization • E-government

•Immigration • Inclusive Communities• Education and Awareness• Outreach

•Arts/cultural • Sustainable development practices• Outdoor amenities• “Third places”


Create WV Objectives

www.createwv.com

January 2009 StatewideSurvey Results

6


Age Category

N=1166 7


Level of Education

N=11558


Employment Status

N=1117 9


Household income

N=967 10


Residential Status

N=124211


Age Profiles

12


1. West Virginians know how to use computer and Internet technology to do their jobs and improve their lives.

13


2. It is critical for my community’s success that people are skilled at using computers and the Internet.

14


3. I have adequate access to high-speed Internet service where I live.

15


4. I have taken advantage of Internet services such as online banking, online classes or purchasing products online in the last

30 days.

16


5. New high-wage jobs are primarily created in high tech industries, such as advanced energy, biotechnology and

computer technology.

17


6. I support efforts by our community and state to generate more high tech jobs through research and development investments in universities and other research centers.

18


7. My community is a great place to live.

19


8. My community is pretty or attractive.

20


9. My community is among the best places to live in the country.

21


10. My community needs more places to meet and socialize.

22


11. My community needs more art and cultural offerings.

23


12. I believe it is important for West Virginia to preserve historically significant buildings and communities.

24


13. It is important for West Virginia’s future to adopt environmentally friendly policies such as new “green” energy sources and building

standards.

25


14. I would support efforts by the state government to invest more money in helping communities modernize and upgrade to attract new

citizens and businesses.

26


15. The local school system in our community prepares our children for future success in today’s world.

27


16. Our state school system overall is effective in preparing our children for future success in today’s world.

28


17. It is important for our school system to teach children how to think, not just how to memorize facts and figures.

29


18. It is more important for schools to stick to the basics like math and reading.

30


19. Our school system provides adequate opportunities for art, cultural and other extra-curricular learning activities for children.

31


20. It is important that our schools teach children how to use the latest technology.

32


21. I support efforts by our State School Board and Department of Education to find better ways to educate our children for 21st Century

opportunities.

33


22. I believe that Pk-12 teachers are a valuable asset in West Virginia and we should invest more in their ability to succeed in their job.

34


23. It is important for West Virginia’s success that more people gain their college diploma.

35


24. It is important for adults to continue learning throughout their lifetimes.

36


25. Starting your own business is an attractive career opportunity.

37


26. My community supports people who start a business here.

38


27. West Virginia is an attractive place to start a business.

39


28. I plan on starting a business of my own in the near future.

40


29. Business taxes must be lowered in West Virginia to have a more successful economy compared to other states.

41


30. It is primarily the state government’s job to create new high-paying job opportunities in West Virginia.

42


31. West Virginians in general are tolerant and inclusive of people of all races, religions or lifestyles.

43


32. Tolerance and inclusion of people from all races, religions or lifestyles is important to West Virginia’s future success.

44


33. I support efforts by my community and state to ensure tolerance and diversity in our society.

45


Education Profiles

46



47



48



49


4. I have taken advantage of Internet services such as online banking, online classes or purchasing products online in the last 30 days.

50


5. New high-wage jobs are primarily created in high tech industries, such as advanced energy, biotechnology and computer technology.

51


6. I support efforts by our community and state to generate more high tech jobs through research and development investments in

universities and other research centers.

52



53



54



55



56



57



58



standards.

59




60



61



62



63



64



65



66



opportunities.

67



68



69



70



71



72



73



74



75



76



77



78



79


Income Profiles

80



81



82



83


4. I have taken advantage of Internet services such as online banking, online classes or purchasing products online in the last 30 days.

84


5. New high-wage jobs are primarily created in high tech industries, such as advanced energy, biotechnology and computer technology.

85


6. I support efforts by our community and state to generate more high tech jobs through research and development investments in

universities and other research centers.

86



87



88



89



90



91



92



standards.

93




94



95



96



97



98



99



100



opportunities.

101



102



103



104



105



106



107



108



109



110



111



112



113


Questions or Comments

• Jeff James, Chair, Creative Communities Team (Create WV) of Vision Shared– [email protected]– 304.346.2230 ext 101#

114

new economy attitudes and beliefs in west virginia

Business

citizens of west virginia

west virginiareallythink

west virginia households

west virginias success

west virginias future

voice of west virginians

typical west virginians

new citizens