Florida Small Business Owners Concerned About Workforce Talent Latest Florida Chamber of Commerce Small Business Survey Shows
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (October 23, 2017) – Ask a Florida small business owner what keeps them up at night and they’ll likely point to the latest Florida Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index Survey which shows workforce quality and government regulations continue to be the top concerns of Florida’s job creators.
“Businesses are telling us, loud and clear, that in order to grow, they need access to a talented workforce,” said Dr. Jerry Parrish, Chief Economist and Director of Research for the Florida Chamber Foundation. “The Florida Chamber Foundation’s recent Florida Jobs 2030 report confirms this research by showing that the future of work is changing, and as this quarter’s Small Business Index shows businesses now more than ever need access to a talented workforce. But it’s important to note this Small Business Index shows that businesses are also steadily more concerned about the impact government regulations have on their ability to grow. In order to remain competitive, we should continue to create a business friendly environment that provides businesses the opportunity and resources to grow and succeed.”
The Florida Chamber’s quarterly Small Business Index statewide survey shows small businesses are most concerned about:
- Workforce quality (18 percent),
- Government regulations (17 percent),
- Economic uncertainty (12 percent),
- Healthcare costs (10 percent),
- Lawsuit abuse (8 percent),
- Access to capital (6 percent).
Of Florida small businesses, 48 percent of respondents expect to hire in the next six months.
“Florida’s small businesses continue to face a number of challenges, including increased concerns about workforce quality and government regulations,” said Tami Fitzpatrick, Chair of the Florida Chamber’s Small Business Council, and Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Entropy Technology Design, Inc. “Florida’s economy is dependent on the small business community, and the Florida Chamber’s Small Business Council remains committed to advocating on their behalf.”
About the Survey:
The Florida Chamber’s Small Business Index Survey was conducted electronically September 25 through October 16, 2017. Thirty-three percent of respondents employ less than five employees, while 48 percent employ five to 49 employees. Click here to view the full report.
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Established in 1916 as Florida’s first statewide business advocacy organization, the Florida Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business and the state’s largest federation of employers, chambers of commerce and associations aggressively representing small and large businesses from every industry and every region. The Florida Chamber works within all branches of government to affect those changes set forth in the annual Florida Business Agenda, and which are seen as critical to secure Florida’s future. The Florida Chamber works closely with its Florida Political Operations and the Florida Chamber Foundation. Visit www.FloridaChamber.com for more information.