The Mercer University – Eugene W. Stetson School of Business & Economics recently released the results of the university’s Mid-Year Middle Georgia Economic Outlook Survey.
According to the study, which was conducted through an electronic survey of nearly 200 individuals, area businesses experienced economic growth during the first half of the year in 2016, and can remain “cautiously optimistic” about the second half of the year. Results were compiled by Dr. Antonio Saravia, director of the BB&T Center and assistant professor of economics, and can be viewed in full here.
The survey was conducted by the BB&T Center for Undergraduate Research in Public Policy and Capitalism at Stetson, and in partnership with a number of regional chambers of commerce, including those from Greater Macon, Robins, Forsyth-Monroe County, Milledgeville-Baldwin, Jones County/Gray Chamber, Robert-Crawford County and Wilkinson.
There was a wide variety of respondents to the survey, though most businesses included were small operations of less than 10 employees (46 percent), and had their offices in Houston (30 percent), Bibb (39 percent) or Monroe (15 percent) counties. The industries represented were widely varied, including 13 percent in retail trade, 13 percent in finance/insurance, 9 percent in professional and technical services and 9 percent in healthcare and social services.
In the fourth edition of the survey, Dr. Saravia can observe patterns of economic growth that are beginning to emerge. “Despite experiencing positive six-month periods in terms of several indicators of profitability, businesses in Middle Georgia remain always cautiously optimistic about the next period,” Dr. Saravia says. “This has, of course, a negative impact on their investment and hiring decisions … businesses in the region do not see yet an economic recovery robust enough to induce risk-taking.”