“As we all know we are a global society,” Bailey said. “Getting regional data increases our knowledge base of how to remain more competitive in our workforce and to attract new employees to our region.”
Champaign County conducted a similar study in 2012, Bailey said. The county will host an information meeting on Thursday, Jan. 19 at Urbana University to explain the process to area businesses.
Clark County has extensive experience with similar projects, which will be beneficial as the study moves forward, said Amy Donahoe, director of hiring and employer services for the Chamber of Greater Springfield. Clark County has conducted a similar study every other year since at least 2007. Extending it to other counties will provide employers with a better picture of similar industries throughout the region, she said.
“It’s growing what we’ve had for 10 years now,” Donahoe said.
Each of the counties involved will encourage employers to participate, Gradwohl said. The survey will likely begin in June and take about a month to complete. Businesses that take part in the survey will be able to review the results in September, and it will be available to all companies by January next year.
“It’s an incentive for companies to participate in this survey particularly as they’re planning for the fourth quarter and benefits for the following year,” Gradwohl said.
The survey will only ask companies to provide information on benefits like health insurance, retirement and other incentives. Information on wages will come from data compiled by the Dayton Development Coalition, which Donahoe said will likely be more accurate. However, employers will have access to both wage and benefit data once the study results are released.
The final report will provide information for each specific county, as well as an overall view of the region, Gradwohl said.
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