Finding current unbiased demographic information is tough. While the best source for locating information on local neighborhoods is still your county planning department, should you be looking at larger metropolitan areas, the Brookings Institution has an excellent free report for you. It is the MetroMontor: Tracking Economic Recession and Recovery in America's 100 Largest Metropolitan Areas.
The Institute notes up front that the stats only reflect activity through the third quarter of 2011, i.e., the end of September 2011, but that is a whole lot better than most reporting agencies can do.
While jobs as a whole are a strong indicator of improved economic climate, the report highlighted the importance of government jobs and jobs in high tech corridors.
Download the whole report or browse the site to capture the information you need. It is all at no cost. And best of all, it is unbiased, straightforward information.
THE LOCAL SCENE
Many small businesses are far more concerned about stats in their local area, perhaps a neighborhood or a town or county. There are some strong DOs and DON'Ts here.
DO talk with your county planning department. This should be your first stop. Ask about reports that are in the planning/writing stage, as well as those that have been published. Ask about projects that have been submitted, but not yet approved. Ask about gossip on new projects. Use your wiles, feminine or otherwise, to garnet all the info you can muster. It will all come in handy.
DON'T ever believe what a shopping center manager tells you. He has a very vested interest in getting you open to paying high rent, so he will sugar coat anything and everything. If you want to know the traffic count on your specific location in the mall, sit there and count it yourself. That will also give you an opportunity to see the kind of customer who walks by your door.
Each type of business needs different stats. Look to the 7 Step Business Plan ebooks to help you determine what stats will work best for your business plan presentation.
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