Survey Reveals CT Businesses Increasing Desire To Hire

Many Connecticut businesses don’t anticipate a real upswing in the state’s economy until sometime next year, but for the first time in three years, more say they will hire new workers. WNPR’s Harriet Jones reports on a new business survey.

The questionnaire, carried out by the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, asked companies about their confidence in the future and their biggest concerns in the November elections. Some 60% of those responding say business conditions are poor or only fair, and almost 40% expect them to stay that way for at least 12 months. Accounting firm Blum Shapiro sponsored the study. Partner Jay Sattler says there’s positive news on hiring.

“Just to give you a perspective, three years ago, 70% of businesses indicated they were looking to hire in the following 12 months. Every year since then, that percentage has fallen. This is the first year that that percentage and that pendulum has actually swung the other way. 47% indicated they anticipate hiring in the next 12 months. So nowhere near where we want to be, but definitely a swing in the pendulum and I think a turn in the right direction.”

The survey also revealed that the recession has forced firms to get more creative about both marketing and strategic planning. More say they’re turning to social media to get their message out, and many say they’re considering strategic alliances and even mergers to stay afloat. Businesses revealed their biggest concerns for the November election as the state’s budget deficit and the potential for tax increases in the near future.

For WNPR, I'm Harriet Jones.