Nearly half of small business owners think the economy is worse off today than it was a year ago, according to a survey conducted this summer by the National Small Business Association.
Nearly 60 percent of the 400 small business owners surveyed expect the economy to be flat in the coming year, while 29 percent expect another recession.
More than 70 percent cited economic uncertainty as the most significant challenge to the future growth and survival of their business. Only 22 percent plan to add employees over the next 12 months.