How is the current state of the economy affecting your organization?

Select an option from 1 (very negatively) to 10 (very positively). 

1

10

Which best describes your organization's current financial condition?

Strong/Growing/Optimistic Steady/Stable/Confident Tight/Slow/Concerned Weak/Worried/Pessimistic

How do you expect your organization's financial condition will change over the next 12 months?

Better/Stronger Steady/About the Same Weaker/Worse

How do you expect the size of your workforce to change in the next 12 months?

We plan to add workers We plan to reduce our workforce We expect total workforce to stay roughly the same

Has your organization experienced hiring challenges over the past 12 months?

Yes, hiring is one of our biggest challenges Yes, hiring feels harder lately o Somewhat, but hiring is not hurting our operation No, we do not have hiring challenges

Which factors contribute to your hiring challenges?

Check all that apply.

Limited housing supply/cost of housing

Limited pool of qualified talent

Limited transportation options/cost of transportation

Limited childcare availability/cost of childcare

We do not have hiring challenges

What resources could help you be more successful over the next 12 months?

Check all that apply.

Help finding employees

Help training employees

Help marketing and advertising

Help networking and connecting

Help navigating regulatory hurdles

Help finding space

Access to business coaching and counseling

Access to professional services (attorneys, accountants, etc)

Access to grant funds

Access to loan funds

Nothing right now

What do you need most in order to thrive in 2026?

Please be specific. 

How do you expect your organization's revenue to change during the next 12 months?

Increase Significantly Increase Somewhat Stay About the Same Decrease Not sure

How do you expect prices YOUR ORGANIZATION PAYS for goods/services to change over the next 12 mos?

Increase Significantly Increase Somewhat Stay About the Same Decrease Not Sure

Do you expect to increase prices YOUR ORGANIZATION CHARGES for goods/services over the next 12 mos?

Yes, we expect to raise our prices No, our prices will stay about the same No, we expect to cut our prices Not Sure

Has your organization incorporated artificial intelligence (AI) tools into normal operations?

(In the past 12 months)

Yes, substantially Yes, but not much No Not sure

Would you say local government here is:

Strongly Pro-Business Somewhat Pro-Business Somewhat Anti-Business Very Anti-Business Not sure

What is the most significant challenge to the future growth of your organization?

If you could change one thing locally to help your organization thrive, what would it be?

Please be specific.

Indicate your primary organization type/sector.

Accommodations Agriculture Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Communications Construction/Manufacturing Education Food Service & Drinking Places Government/Public Sector Healthcare Information Technology Non-Profit/Social Services Other Services (HVAC, Mechanic, Plumbing, etc.) Personal Services (Hair, Nail, Fitness, etc.) Professional Services (Finance, Insurance, Legal, etc.) Real Estate/Rental/Leasing Religious Institution Research & Development Retail Transportation Utilities

How many people do you currently employ locally (full and part-time)?

0 1-3 4-10 11-25 26-50 51-100 101-500 500+

In which County is your organization located? (Check all that apply)

Chatham

Orange

Wake

Lee

Randolph

Durham

Other

In which municipality is your organization located? (check all that apply)

Pittsboro

Siler City

Chapel Hill

Sanford

Cary

Raleigh

Goldston

Apex

We are in an unincorporated area

Other