Roughly 70 percent of small business owners are upbeat about their company and the overall small business environment in the United States.
The number comes from the Q3 MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index released today that reported a record 69.7 percent of small business owners possess a confident economic outlook.
That percentage represents the highest number in the history of the survey. The rise in optimism also mirrors a rebound on the national level.
U.S. Chamber Vice President of Small Business Policy Tom Sullivan credits legislative reform as part of the equation for the uptick.
“After the 2008 financial crisis there was a decline in small businesses’ access to capital,” he said. “Recently, Congress took steps to make it easier for small businesses to get capital. We are moving in the right direction, but more policies that ease small businesses’ access to financing need to occur to ensure this vital sector of our economy continues to grow, create jobs, and positively impact communities across the country.”
The optimism is up one point from last quarter. The report states the optimistic outlook, economic climate and recent legislative reforms are creating a more robust environment for small business owners to grow.
This is the sixth consecutive quarter the Index has risen. Year over year the Index score has increased by 7.4 points.
Other highlights from the report include:
55 percent of small businesses are optimistic about the health of the U.S. economy, matching the highest levels in the history of the survey.
The number of small businesses reporting their local economy as good increased to 51 percent, the strongest mark in the history of the Index.
The Index is part of a multiyear collaboration by MetLife and the U.S. Chamber.
Information: www.SBIndex.us
