Business owners uncertain about economic policies

October 13, 2011

KTVQ-TV (Billings, MT)

By David Jay

BILLINGS - A nationwide survey of small business owners shows many lack confidence in the economy and the federal government's plans to fix it.
The US Chamber of Commerce survey also shows that uncertainty means fewer jobs.
Many executives have confidence in their own businesses, but not in the policies aimed to improve the economy.

"The voices of Main Street businesses are telling us plain and simple: To start hiring, we need faster economic growth and a change of course in Washington," said U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue.

"In talking with our members, many say economic hurdles imposed by Washington are affecting their growth." said John Brewer, President of the Billings Chamber of Commerce/Convention and Visitors Bureau. "At the top of their list is a concern over healthcare costs."

About 80 percent favor the US Chambers plan that includes producing more American energy, speeding up permitting process, tax incentives that create jobs and expanding trade.
Other results of the survey include:
- 89 percent says the economy is heading the wrong direction.
- 17 percent says they will hire more employees this year.
- 80 percent say they want the government to stay out of the way,

Here in Billings, AlphaGraphics owners Keith and Shelly Hermanson say health care is their top issue.
The Hermansons have added to their staff of 30 this year, but say small business owner's confidence leads to fewer jobs because of uncertainty.

"The Billings economy is good, it's diversified, a lot things that are going on," said Keith Hermanson. "Then you get another piece out of Washington and there's uncertainty with that. And you see people pulling back. There's a concern about what's going to happen a year from now or two years from now. And it affects business decision about spending money to promote the business."

The US Chamber of Commerce surveyed more than 13-hundred small business owners. The chamber defines a small business as having 500 or fewer employees and less than 25-million dollars in annual revenue.

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