Florida business leaders are more optimistic about adding employees, according to a Florida Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council survey.
The nonscientific, random survey found 37 percent of employers in the Sunshine State plan to hire in the next six months, up from only 7 percent last July.
Meanwhile, only 3 percent anticipate layoffs, while 8 percent of business owners and operators in July 2011 were looking to cut staff.
When four out of five jobs are created by small businesses, this is excellent news, Tim Giuliani, chamber Small Business Council staff director, stated in a release. But the fact remains that many small businesses still face economic uncertainty forcing downward pressure on their ability to create more jobs.
Other findings in the survey:
- A total of 34 percent of business owners believe they are better off than a year ago, when that number stood at 27 percent.
- Just 12 percent believe their business is worse off today than it was six months ago, down from 20 percent in July.
- Economic uncertainty was identified by 45 percent as an obstacle preventing them from hiring new employees, while for 30 percent a lack of sales is keeping them from hiring. Economic uncertainties include access to capital; government regulations; health care; taxes; and work force issues.
By an overwhelming majority, Florida small businesses are worried about how government regulations, restrictions and taxes may negatively impact their ability to do business and create jobs, Giuliani stated.
The survey found 68 percent expressed concerns about regulations and taxes, while 30 percent werent worried.
The quarterly survey -- the questions were emailed to small businesses and posted on Facebook and Twitter -- was conducted March 5-23. The chamber received 330 responses, with 46 percent of the respondents from businesses with fewer than 10 employees, and 28 percent having between 10 and 40 workers.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.
