Latest NFIB Survey Shows Job Openings at Record Highs
Small business owners are thanking the governor for a step in the right direction when it comes to the issues of record job openings. Yesterday, Governor Holcomb signed an executive order that requires Indiana residents who request unemployment benefits to actively seek full-time work. This move will help small business owners fill open positions. The just released NFIB Small Business Optimism Index shows that a record 44% of owners reported job openings they could not be filled. However, there is more to be done. Just this week, three other Midwest states, Iowa, Missouri and North Dakota, announced they will end its participation in the federal pandemic-related unemployment benefits. We encourage Indiana to do the same.
“There is no question in the minds of the small business owners I hear from every day that enhanced unemployment benefits are making hiring more difficult every. Small businesses can’t grow their way out of the pandemic recession if they can’t find employees. Here’s the truth: it’s more lucrative for workers to stay home on the couch. Small business is the bread and butter of Indiana and they only way we can get our economy back on track is to get Hoosiers back to work,” said Barbara Quandt, NFIB State Director in Indiana.
Other key findings include:
- Eight of the 10 Index components improved and two declined.
- The NFIB Uncertainty Index decreased one point to 80.
- Earnings trends over the past three months improved eight points to a net negative 7%.
- Owners have plans to invest in their businesses as the percentage of those planning to make capital expenditures in the next three to six months increased seven points to 27%.
- The percent of owners expecting better business conditions over the next six months fell seven points to a net negative 15%, surprisingly glum.
Click here to view the full report.
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