Only 1 in 5 American Small Businesses Plan To Hire in 2013

A recent survey by the US Chamber of Commerce shows that 82% of small business owners feel that the economy is not going in the right direction, and that only 20% of small businesses plan to hire any employees over the next year.

Dr. Martin Regalia, the Chief Economist of the Chamber, feels that Washington’s decision making and policies are keeping small business owners unsure of the economic future. 72% of participants felt that the health care law effects ability to grow and potentially hire new employees. 78% of participants simply feel that Washington should stop making policies that effect small businesses and “get out of the way”.

The general sentiment seems to be that there needs to be either less involvement by the government or a change in Washington in order to instill policies that will benefit small businesses. Until those changes come, the job market will remain dry for those seeking employment in small businesses.

Michael Patton, CEO of POTHOS and small business owner, sees things a bit differently. “I tend to believe that government policies need to continue to support small business, which, as stated by President Obama, is the engine of the economy,” Mr. Patton says. “I support increased legislation to spend a larger amount of public monies with SDVOSB & SB as well as revision of tax code”.

The US Chamber of Commerce represents 3 million small businesses in the United States, making it the largest federation of small businesses in the world. The poll was conducted through an online survey involving both US Chamber members and non-US Chamber members, making a sample size of 1,225 participants. The US Chamber of Commerce defined small businesses as companies with less than 25 million dollars in revenue and fewer than 500 employees. The participants were tailored to represent the small business market of the United States.