GVSU's Center for Entrepreneurship received more than 100 responses to separate surveys mailed in April and June. The numbers dipped only slightly when small business owners were asked about confidence in next year's economy, to 73 percent in April and 74 percent in June. Matching national figures, ten percent of local small business owners say labor shortages are their most pressing concern, and another 29 percent say it is a serious problem.
Small businesses are also confident in sales increases.
Fifty-eight percent of respondents to the April survey, and 53 percent in June, expect their sales to increase in the next six months. These figures are up significantly from 45 percent in January. The Center for Entrepreneurship, part of the Seidman School of Business at GVSU, conducts the confidence surveys each quarter.