Summit County launches free market research tool for local businesses

Summit County has launched SizeUp Summit County, a free online tool designed to help local businesses access market research, compare competitors and make data-driven decisions. Photo: Courtesy of Summit County

SizeUp Summit County gives business owners access to customized data on competitors, customers and market conditions

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — Summit County has launched a new online tool to help local business owners access market research and business intelligence that is often out of reach for small companies.

SizeUp Summit County, now available through the county’s website, provides free, customized data to help businesses compare their performance with industry competitors, identify potential customers and suppliers, better understand their competitive landscape, and target marketing efforts.

The platform also provides access to more than 100 business topics and training sessions.

County officials said the tool is designed to give small businesses access to the kind of market research that larger companies often obtain through consultants or in-house analysts.

“In today’s information economy, if you don’t have access to information, your business is at a significant disadvantage,” said Madlyn McDonough, Summit County economic development and housing manager. “With the launch of SizeUp on the Summit County website, we are empowering our small businesses in the county to make more data-driven decisions and better operate, succeed, and grow.”

SizeUp uses big data, cloud computing, and algorithms to generate business-specific analysis. The platform draws from public and proprietary data sources covering business, demographic, geographic, labor, wage, cost, consumer spending, and transportation information, among other categories.

The service allows users to enter information about their business and receive localized research based on their industry and market area.

Small businesses make up more than 99% of U.S. companies, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. County officials said supporting local businesses is also an economic development strategy because locally owned businesses employ residents, create jobs, and keep more spending circulating within the local economy.

“Summit County is committed to helping our local businesses succeed,” McDonough said. “They are the foundation of our local economy, employ our residents, create new jobs, and make our community a more prosperous place. Providing small business insights through SizeUp on our website is another way in which we are partnering with our local businesses for their success.”

SizeUp was previously recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce for its business app designed to help American businesses become more competitive.

The service is free to local businesses and available at summitcounty.info/sizeup.