Chamber survey: Business leaders optimistic

Ohio business leaders expect the recent federal tax package to boost business, even as concerns about finding the right employees remain, a new state survey has found.

The Ohio Chamber of Commerce Research Foundation released the findings of its quarterly survey of business leaders Thursday. They reveal the following:

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• The statewide “prosperity pulse” rose from 5 in the third quarter to 5.4 in the fourth quarter and is projected to keep moving upward.

• The cause of the upward movement can be attributed to the federal tax reform.

• The cost of health care and attracting quality talent remain the top concerns of business leaders.

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• Seventy-four percent of leaders say they are optimistic about the immediate future of their business.

• Government regulations remain a concern, especially in transportation, and particularly with the mandate for federal electronic logging devices.

• The foundation asked leaders what incentives they offer employees for retention: 45 percent give cash bonuses, 19 percent offer flexible scheduling, 16 percent plan special events and 12 percent award extra days off.

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The survey was conducted between Dec. 30 2017 and Jan. 19, 2018 and over 400 responses were received.

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