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CITY, ND – (NewsDakota.com) The Valley City-Barnes County Development Corporation, in cooperation with Telos Associates, is conducting a two part analysis to assist with business development. 

Part 1 is a labor availability study that will document workforce information including skills, experience and education.

Valley City Barnes County Economic Development Director Jennifer Feist says the Corporation is interested in information about commuters including why people are commuting to locations outside Barnes County and their skills and wages.  Another key area is learning about the second income earner in the household.  She says we need to understand the type of work and wages needed to ensure options are available for them in Valley City-Barnes County.    

Feist says this information is very important to our economic development efforts to create quality jobs through business recruitment and expansion of existing businesses. She says a key factor is “does the community have a workforce that matches a company’s needs and/or has the ability to attract new people to the area”?  Attracting and retaining the workforce depends on availability of quality jobs and Quality of Place.  Other analysis outcomes may include training to enhance existing skills.

Part 2 is an employer analysis that will identify growth opportunities, future employment and the challenges employers face.

Telos Associates is a North Dakota company that provides research and marketing services. Telos, in partnership with Fishnet Marketing, also a North Dakota company, will be calling residents to conduct the 5 minute survey.  The Development Corporation is encouraging people to respond to the research questions when contacted.

The employee labor availability analysis will kick off February 15th with the employer survey to follow in early March.

Jennifer Feist will give a few more details about this survey on our Voice of the Valley show on Friday, February 12th at 11:35am.