Create WV Statewide Survey December 2008 Telephone Survey by Marshall University Center for Business and Economic Research Summary Results March 2009 © Vision Shared

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 21 st 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.

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 21 st 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.

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.

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.

Create WV Mission : 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”

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

January 2009 Statewide Survey Results

Age Category N=1166

Level of Education N=1155

Employment Status N=1117

Household income N=967

Residential Status N=1242

Age Profiles

Age Profiles

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

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

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

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

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

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.

7. My community is a great place to live.

8. My community is pretty or attractive .

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

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

11. My community needs more art and cultural offerings.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Education Profiles

Education Profiles

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

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

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

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

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

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.

7. My community is a great place to live.

8. My community is pretty or attractive.

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

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

11. My community needs more art and cultural offerings.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Income Profiles

Income Profiles

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

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

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

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

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

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.

7. My community is a great place to live.

8. My community is pretty or attractive.

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

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

11. My community needs more art and cultural offerings.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Questions or Comments Jeff James, Chair, Creative Communities Team (Create WV) of Vision Shared [email_address] 304.346.2230 ext 101#

Jeff James, Chair, Creative Communities Team (Create WV) of Vision Shared

[email_address]

304.346.2230 ext 101#