The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago‘s Community Development and Policy Studies Division is partnering with 11 other Reserve Banks in conducting an annual, national Small Business Credit Survey — and they are seeking input from Kane County businesses.

Kane County Development and Community Services Department Director Mark VanKerkhoff is encouraging small-business owners to take part, because there are benefits to the businesses as well as the government database.

“We want to ensure that our region’s interests are adequately represented in the national effort to better understand the dynamics behind aggregate lending trends — and to improve access to small-business credit at the state and local levels,” he said.

“Plus, most local businesses and people feel like the federal government does not listen and they do not have a voice,” he said. “Here is an opportunity for Kane County businesses to be heard.”

The survey, initiated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, collects data about small-business performance from companies with fewer than 500 employees from across the United States.

Each organization that receives 50 responses from business owners will receive a specialized report exclusive to the organization.

“Our intent is to capture as many small businesses as we can,” said Emily Engel, of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. “By increasing the number of survey respondents in the Seventh District — which consists of Iowa and portions of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin — we will ensure that our region’s interests are adequately represented.”

Engel said the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is interested in working with businesses and government organizations to complete the survey. The survey’s official launch date is Sept. 10, and it will be open for responses through Dec. 2.

Click here to sign up and indicate your interest in partnering.

If you have further questions, reach out to Engel at 312-322-5520 or Emily.Engel@chi.frb.org.

Data from the 2017 Small Business Survey.

SOURCE: Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago news release