Smaller Industrial Businesses Becoming More Optimistic

Nearly 80 percent of small business owners in the hard-hit industrial market are optimistic their businesses will grow in the next year, according to a survey conducted by Thomas Regional, which provides information on industrial suppliers. This is a good sign indeed for economic development.

More than 60 percent said health care coverage is their biggest challenge -- echoing results for small businesses in general in the National Federation of Independent Business's monthly survey.

A slight majority of industrial small businesses plan to add staff or buy equipment over the next 12 months, according to the Thomas Regional survey. This is an even better sign for economic development.

Unless "urgently needed policy changes" are made, however, manufacturers will hire back only half of the 2.7 million manufacturing jobs that have been lost over the past three years, says National Association of Manufacturers President Jerry Jasinowski.

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