Jan 20, 2015 | < 1 
Since the beginning of the recession, small business owners have been reluctant to hire and expand. The economic uncertainty and business owners’ reluctance to hire has frequently been cited as a reason for the slow economic recovery. Things seem to be changing in this area as the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reports increasing optimism among small business owners in 2015.
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index is seeing its highest levels since October 2006. The most recent survey of business owners has the Small Business Optimism Index at 100.4; an increase of 2.3 points. There was also a 6 percentage point increase in the number of business owners expecting sales increases in 2015. Business owners are also reporting expectations to expand with the survey showing a 5 percentage point increase in this area. There was a 4 percentage point increase in the expectation that business owners would create new jobs and make investments in property or equipment for their company in the new year.
The pace of hiring in December 2014 was also up according to the NFIB. This optimism corresponds with the 5% surge in the economy in the third quarter of 2014.
