TALLAHASSEE (April 25, 2017) – The latest Florida Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index survey shows Florida job creators increasingly concerned about workforce quality and government regulations.
The Florida Chamber’s Small Business Index statewide survey shows small businesses are most concerned about:
- Workforce quality (22 percent),
- Government regulations (16 percent),
- Healthcare costs (13 percent),
Economic uncertainty (10 percent – tie), - Access to capital (10 percent – tie), and
- Lawsuit abuse (6 percent).
But perhaps what’s most disturbing is fewer Florida job creators believe have confidence in our state’s business climate.
“Fewer small businesses have confidence that Florida’s business climate is headed in the right direction. Only 15 percent of businesses are confident – that’s down from substantially from 26 percent who indicated they were confident in the previous quarterly survey, and down from 32 percent in the second quarter survey two years ago.”
On the bright side, 70 percent of respondents expect their sales will increase over the next year – up slightly from 68 percent during our last survey.
“Florida’s small businesses continue to face a number of challenges, including increased concerns about workforce quality and healthcare costs,” 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 March 29 through April 14, 2017. Thirty-seven percent of respondents employ less than five employees, while 42 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 crucial to secure Florida’s future. The Florida Chamber works closely with its Florida Political Operations and the Florida Chamber Foundation. Visit www.FLChamber.com for more information.
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