The Economic Development survey was mailed in fall 2004 and spring 2005 to the chief administrative officers in municipalities with a population 10,000 and over and to the chief administrative officers of counties with populations 50,000 and over with the council-administrator or council-elected executive form of government. Of the 3,703 municipalities and counties that received surveys, 726 local governments responded (19.6%). Highlights include:

• 15% of respondents report rapid expansion of their economic base over the last 5 years; a majority report slow-moderate growth over the same period.
• Almost 40% of local governments anticipate moderate growth over the next 5 years.
• In addition to the local government, the Chamber of Commerce is reported by the highest percent (70%) of respondents to be involved in developing economic development strategies.
• After the general fund, tax increment financing districts are the revenue source for economic development reported by the highest percentage of local governments (28%).
• 96% of responding local governments report a website as part of their economic development efforts, and 50% report online permit applications and other services. Almost 32% offer fiber optics.
• Availability of land and cost of land are identified as the top two barriers to economic development.
• Although 41% of respondents indicate that business retention is the focus of their economic development activities, only 24% report a written business development plan.