TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Oct. 2, 2014 – With Florida’s economic recovery continuing to outpace the nation, small businesses reported higher company sales, increased optimism and an increased willingness to hire new employees in a Florida Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index Survey.
The survey conducted online, while unscientific, shows an upswing in attitudes compared to earlier years.
“This survey shows Florida’s small business are ready to grow, expect to hire and remain optimistic about their chances for success,” said Tony Carvajal, executive vice president of the Florida Chamber Foundation at the Future of Florida Forum in Orlando. “Every community benefits from small businesses success.”
The survey, conducted in conjunction with the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, finds that 37 percent of small businesses reported higher company sales compared to last quarter.
Florida Chamber Small Business Index Survey results
• Top issues facing small businesses: Economic uncertainty (26 percent) and access to capital (22 percent) remain the top two issues.
• Sales: 37 percent of businesses surveyed reported higher company sales compared to the same time period last year, with only 1-in-4 businesses reporting lower sales.
• Optimism: 56 percent expect the economy to improve over the next three months, in advance of the holiday shopping season; and 71 percent of respondents expect the economy to improve in the next 12 months. Of the 71 percent, 15 percent say they expect the economy to “improve significantly” – nearly double the amount from the Florida Chamber Q2 2014 survey.
“As we work collectively to move Florida forward, it’s crucial we remain cognizant of the barriers and issues small businesses face,” said Michael Myhre, CEO and network state director for the Florida SBDC.
The Florida Chamber’s Small Business Index Survey was conducted electronically August 20 through September 12, 2014.
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