Small business Optimism
Dunkelberg On Regional Disparities In Small Business Optimism. NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg wrote in Forbes (12/9, Dunkelberg) about regional disparities in small business optimism. The Small Business Optimism Index “is proportionately the highest in the East South Central states. … Second highest were owners in the Mountain states…West South Central states…and South Atlantic states (24 percent). Least optimistic…were owners in the Pacific states, followed by owners in the West North Central, and Mid-Atlantic states where only 20 percent scored over 120.” Dunkelberg added, “Overall, 23 percent of owners are very optimistic with Index score of 120 or more and 13 percent are very uncertain about the future. The top problem for 30 percent of small business owners are taxes, direct or regulatory related, and 30 percent face labor market issues. The Covid-19 crisis has exacerbated many of these issues and the decline of federal and state coffers will likely impact small businesses by way of higher taxes post crisis for some time to come.”