A new study shows local businesses are optimistic about the local economy.
The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce is out with its annual economic outlook. It shows more than 80 percent of local businesses surveyed are increasingly optimistic about their own firm and that of the overall Sangamon county economy.
However the non profit sector is still reeling from the recession. both in revenue from state government and donations. Chamber CEO Chris Hembrough saw that first hand at his previous job with Big Brothers Big Sisters where donations were down the last few years.
"It's (charitable donations) the first thing people start to hold on to in difficult times and it's the last thing folks start to release," said Hembrough.
Local businesses touted health care and education as two big positives in the region. Their biggest complaints were in the areas of business taxes and regulation along with the state's business climate and reputation.
The survey also showed that three quarters of those surveyed said the Illinois State Fair has no economic impact on their business.
