Your Opinion Wanted: Fort Atkinson Area Community Retail Market Survey Extended to Friday, August 29

Fort Atkinson is extending its Community Retail Marketing Survey through Friday, August 29. This important survey gives everyone an opportunity to voice their opinions about the future retail landscape, according to City Manager Rebecca Houseman, "so that the community can attract the businesses and services that are truly wanted and needed."

How to Participate in the Survey

The Fort Atkinson Community Retail Marketing Survey is computer-based, and is open to residents and those working in and near the city. Access the survey here.

For those wanting to participate in the survey but have limited accesses to a personal computer, staff at Fort Atkinson’s Dwight Foster Public Library are available to assist. The library is located at 209 Merchants Avenue and may be reached by phone at 920-563-7790.

The survey is anonymous.

Why the Retail Marketing Survey is So Important

Fort Atkinson’s forward economic development – the city’s positive growth - occurs in commercial, residential, and industrial areas of local economy: successful retail trade, affordable housing, and jobs. Succeeding in these areas represents an expanded tax base, fiscal soundness, local tourism, and quality of life. Benefits also extend to surrounding communities. Residents know best what they want and need in future retail offerings. That’s why maximum participation in this Community Survey is so vitally important.

Present Challenges

A gap in retail services in the Fort Atkinson area has been evident for some time. For example, over the past two years, the City's Plan Commission approved two retail projects - a Dollar Tree store which was planned for the Madison Avenue corridor and a Dollar General Market planned for Janesville Avenue. Houseman stated that although both companies submitted site and building plans that met the City's general codes and zoning ordinances and received Plan Commission approval, neither project came to fruition.

Fort Atkinson City Council approved a contract for a Retail Market Study in May of this year to help determine the types of businesses and services residents are looking for and would support, thus helping to identify gaps in current retail offerings in the city. “Hearing directly from our residents and workforce is crucial to making smart decisions about future development,” said Houseman.

Types of Questions Asked in the Survey

Survey participants will be asked for their preferences and views in such areas as retail offerings, restaurants, service businesses, shopping patterns, and other key areas.

Fort Atkinson City Manager Rebecca Houseman