Nebraska businesses continue to have a positive outlook for the state’s economy in coming months, according to the latest survey from the UNL’s Bureau of Business Research.
Three out of 10 respondents to the March Survey of Nebraska Business predicted increased sales during the next six months, compared to 23 percent who said they expected sales to decline. Further, 17 percent of businesses said they expect to expand their work force while just 6 percent said they expect to reduce employment.
“The outlook has been consistently positive during 2014 and has grown increasingly optimistic each month,” said Eric Thompson, director of the bureau.
In response to an open-ended question about the most important issues facing their businesses, just more than six in 10 owners cited business concerns such as customer demand, business costs and labor quality while just less than four in 10 cited public policy issues such as the Affordable Care Act, government regulations and taxes. Some expressed concern about a potential minimum wage increase.
The Survey of Nebraska Business is mailed to 500 randomly selected businesses of all sizes each month, asking owners and managers about their economic expectations for the next six months. They are also asked to list the top concern facing their businesses. The March survey had 135 respondents, a 27 percent response rate.
A detailed report is available at the Bureau of Business Research website, http://www.bbr.unl.edu. The bureau is part of the College of Business Administration.
