KPLU Local News
(2010-11-09)
Listen Now:
null
Seattle's downtown retail core is getting ready for heavier holiday traffic, hoping for improved sales. Overall, many businesses in King County say they expect brighter futures - and making additional hires - in 2011, according to a new survey from the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce.
Gary Davis/KPLU.
(KPLU) -
A new survey of businesses in King County shows what may come as a surprise to some people: a high level of optimism about the economy. The Greater Seattle Chamber has just released its first annual "King County Business Barometer." More than 40% of the employers it surveyed expect to hire new staff next year.
The survey was conducted online and asked nearly 1200 companies in fifteen sectors for their attitudes and opinions about doing business in King County. A top level finding is that more than half say they expect to do better next year. That confirms what the region's economic development council has been hearing. enterpriseSeattle President and CEO Jeff Marcell says they have been very busy lately, hosting prospective employers.
"Over the last ninety days, we've had a fair number of companies that have actually come into this area to kick the tires," he says, adding that the visitors have included technology and aerospace firms from Austria, Mexico, and Australia, a logistics firm from Belgium and a global health group from Minnesota.
And Marcell says several local companies are also looking at expanding - in everything from food processing and medical technology to defense contracting and IT.
"You know, the survey really confirmed what our business development team is seeing. I in some ways feel vindicated, so that people don't think I'm just always too positive."
According to the survey, the companies that are looking at hiring next year are mostly small and medium sized - those with between six and 100 employees.
© Copyright 2012, KPLU
