BREWER – People who live, work or shop in the city are being asked to take five minutes to fill out a market survey about what they think the community needs.

“Now is the time to put your two cents in,” D’arcy Main-Boyington, the city’s economic development director, said Thursday. “The more people we have fill out this survey, the better.”

The information will be used to attract businesses that people say they want, she said.

“Part of the purpose of this study is to figure out what is missing,” Main-Boyington said.

The survey will ask about trends for shopping and dining in the city and will ask which types of restaurants or retail shops are lacking.

The survey is part of a larger, three-part project for the city that will include information from current businesses and those businesses that considered moving to Brewer but for some reason choose not to.

The comprehensive market study is being created by Ron Cote, an Old Town consultant who is assisting the city with the project.

The city wants to create a “compelling argument for businesses to look at us,” Main-Boyington said.

Those who fill out the survey, posted on the city’s Web site, www.brewerme.org, will be e-mailed coupons and will be automatically entered into a drawing for prizes.

“They really will get something for their five minutes,” Main-Boyington said.

The list of prizes includes five $50 gift certificates from the Muddy Rudder restaurant, another $50 Muddy Rudder gift certificate provided by real estate agent David Gerow, a MyGym birthday party, valued at $200, a $50 savings bond from TD Banknorth, a one-year membership for Boomer Fitness, five $50 gift certificates to Winterport Boot, and $100 in gift certificates for any Brewer business, provided by Auxilar LLC.

Balance Hair and Body, the Brewer Wal-Mart Supercenter and the Brewer Hannaford grocery store also provided items for the giveaway.

“We’re encouraging everybody who either lives in Brewer, works in Brewer or shops in Brewer to fill this out,” Main-Boyington said.

nricker@bangordailynews.net

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