2017 economic pulse survey results

U.S. Chamber of Commerce AccreditedFive-Star Distinction

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CONNECT. GROW. INFLUENCE.

2017 REGIONAL ECONOMIC PULSE

A community bank dedicated to serving the current and

future needs of the families and businesses that make up

the communities in which we live and work.

In 1965, Daniel D. Dolan and James O. Murphy formed Dolan & Murphy, Inc. creating the first real estate firm in the Fox River Valley exclusively specializing in commercial, industrial and investment properties.

A progressive, dynamic economic development partnership

dedicated to expanding economic opportunities in Aurora

and developing a sustainable community for its residents.





39.9% 16.0% 11.0% 11.7% 12.3% 9.2%

0-10 11-25 26-50 51-100 101-500 501 +

EMPLOYEES

The majority of respondents are businesses with fewer than 25 employees.

REGIONAL BUSINESS





50% plan to hire additional employees…. Another 40% plan to maintain current workforce numbers.

REGIONAL OUTLOOK

This was a slight increase from 47% in 2016.





Nearly four in 10 find economic uncertainty keeps them from hiring.

Economic uncertainty 38% 8

State uncertainty 31% 13

Lack of revenue 25% 2

Excess regulation 18% 8

ACA requirements 12% 5

Qualified workforce 10% 5

REGIONAL OUTLOOK





41.8% 27.0% 10.6% 14.9% 5.7%

<$1M $1-5M $5-10M $10-100M >$101M

REVENUE

The largest segment reports less than $1 million in annual revenue.

REGIONAL BUSINESS





70% report business is better than 12 months ago.

REGIONAL OUTLOOK





73% expect revenues to improve within the year

REGIONAL OUTLOOK





64% expect the economy to improve over the next year

REGIONAL OUTLOOK

This was a significant increase from last year’s 45%.





75% expect the economy to improve in three years

REGIONAL OUTLOOK





47% expect it to be less difficult to obtain financing in the next six months

REGIONAL OUTLOOK

This was a slight decrease from 54% in 2016.





73% believe State regulations today are unreasonable

STATE OF BUSINESS





87% are concerned with regulations, restrictions, taxes

STATE OF BUSINESS





71% are not confident in the direction of the State

STATE OF BUSINESS





Four in 10 agree the State must make the budget impasse a priority.

State budget 39% 18

Taxes and fees 15% 12

Regulations/mandates 15% 3

Debt/pensions 13% 3

Workforce readiness 11% 6

Work comp reform 10% 7

STATE OF BUSINESS





Nearly one in seven regional businesses conduct business globally.

OPERATING GLOBALLY

This is up from one in 10 last year.





TODAY’S PANEL

Steven C. Meves, CFA

Chief Investment Officer

Old Second Bank

Kathy Gilmore

Membership Manager

Valley Industrial Association

Alexander F. Pope, CFRE

Vice President, Development

Rush-Copley Medical Center





ABOUT THE CHAMBER

The Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce is a private, not-for-profit,

membership-driven organization comprised of more than 700 members

representing nearly 40,000 employees. Our mission is to be the catalyst for

business success by providing leadership that facilitates the creation of a

prosperous regional economy and effective advocacy for our members. The

Chamber has become one of the largest, oldest, and most influential

organizations in our area by working for more than a century to make the Aurora

and North Aurora region a better place to live and work for all.

2017 economic pulse survey results

Documents