Minnesota Secretary Of State - Secretary Simon Launches ‘Minnesota Business Snapshot’ to Better Serve Minnesotans
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Secretary Simon Launches ‘Minnesota Business Snapshot’ to Better Serve Minnesotans

September 28, 2016

New survey will help small businesses identify partners throughout the state

SAINT PAUL — Today, Secretary of State Steve Simon announced the launch of the Minnesota Business Snapshot, a new initiative designed to better serve Minnesotans by providing the public—from consumers to small business owners to educational institutions—with critical data and information on the economic and demographic make-up of Minnesota’s businesses.

The Minnesota Business Snapshot (MBS) is a voluntary, five-question survey now being offered to nearly 550,000 new and existing businesses in Minnesota as they file their annual renewal each calendar year with the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State.

The survey asks Minnesota business owners a variety of questions, including how many full time employees they have; whether they self-identify as a member of a specific community, such as a veteran, woman, or community of color; the industry or field in which the business operates; whether it’s a full-time or part-time endeavor; and gross revenues for the past year. For the complete list of survey questions and answer options, see below.

“The Minnesota Business Snapshot is going to make it easier and more convenient for small business owners to identify potential partners, for consumers to target their spending, and for the public and educational institutions to better understand the economic and demographic makeup of our state’s business community,” said Secretary Simon. “This is an important step to better serving Minnesotans.”

“The Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce thanks Secretary Simon for his leadership on this and is pleased to partner with him to help bring the business community together and help facilitate economic growth in Minnesota,” said Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Matt Kramer. “The Minnesota Business Snapshot is a great resource for Minnesotans across the state, and we look forward to Minnesota businesses participating in this important and valuable initiative.”

The survey was put together with the input of individual business owners, business organizations, non-profits, and researchers from across the state. The information collected from the Minnesota Business Snapshot will be available for purchase beginning in the first quarter of 2017. The data will include specific responses from each business that has voluntarily responded.

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The complete list of Minnesota Business Snapshot survey question and response options below:

1. (Select up to one) - How many Minnesota – based full time employees (or FTE equivalents) does this entity currently have?

  • 0-5
  • 6-50
  • 51-200
  • 201-500
  • Over 500

2. (Select all that apply) - Does the owner or a member of the ownership group of this entity self-identify as a member of any of the following communities?

  • Woman
  • Member of a community of color
  • Veteran
  • Member of a disability community
  • Member of an immigrant community

3. (Select up to one) - Using NAICS codes below, please select the code that best describes this entity. If you believe this entity falls into more than one category, please select the category that generates the majority of the entity’s revenue.

a) Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (Code 11)
b) Mining (Code 21)
c) Utilities (Code 22)
d) Construction (Code 23)
e) Manufacturing (Codes 31-33)
f) Wholesale Trade (Code 42)
g) Retail Trade (Codes 44-45)
h) Transportation and Warehousing (Codes 48-49)
i) Information (Code 51)
j) Finance and Insurance (Code 52)
k) Real Estate Rental and Leasing (Code 53)
l) Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (Code 54)
m) Management of Companies and Enterprises (Code 55)
n) Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services (Code 56)
o) Educational Services (Code 61)
p) Health Care and Social Assistance (Code 62)
q) Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (Code 71)
r) Accommodation and Food Services (Code 72)
s) Other Services (except Public Administration) (Code 81)
t) Public Administration (Code 92)

4. (Select up to one) Is this entity a full time or part time endeavor for those primarily responsible for operating this entity?

  • Full time
  • Part time

5. (Select up to one) - If applicable, what were this entity’s gross revenues for the past year?

  • $0 - $10,000
  • $10,001 - $50,000
  • $50,001 - $250,000
  • $250,001 - $1M
  • Over $1M