When the ROC City Coalition --- an umbrella organization of several local groups that are focused on attracting and retaining young adults in the area --- decided to survey area 18 to 40-year-olds about what they like and don't like about Rochester, they were hoping for 500 responses. Since the online survey went up March 17, the response has far surpassed the group's expectations.

If you fall in that age group and want to participate, you have only a few days left. The survey goes offline at the end of March.

The survey is a "for us, by us" project, says Shonda Ranson, one of the founding members of the ROC City Coalition and a board member of the Greater Rochester Jaycees. It was produced by area young professionals for the benefit of area young professionals.

"So many people put out surveys where they decide why they think young adults are leaving the area, and they say, ‘Just choose one of the choices below.' And those choices were created by people outside the demographic," says Ranson. "We didn't want to do that."

The ROC City Coalition spent a couple of years on research, sending out preliminary questionnaires to come up with a survey that its members hope will prove both accurate and influential.

The Coalition has the support of county and city officials. Members have met with County Executive Maggie Brooks, Mayor Bob Duffy, and representatives of Governor Elliot Spitzer's office to find out what elected officials want to know about Rochester's young adults.

"The survey is meant for fact gathering, and the intention is to present the city, county, and Governor Spitzer's office with how people have responded to the questions," says Ranson. "What they do is up to them. But it also tells them that we are watching them. We've given them the answers, and we are holding them accountable for getting something done."

The ROC City Coalition survey can be found online at www.RocCitySurvey.com. A printable version is also available on the website. The survey closes March 31.