A recent report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) shows that small business confidence rose in March to it's highest level since January of 2015, something Linda Bruce, the President of the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce, is pleased about.

"I'm glad to see that is happening.  What we've seen over the past year is that there is this steady development of small business in Airdrie.  A lot of people took packages during the layoffs and are now using them to develop their own consulting firms or going into a business that they've always wanted to.  So we have seen some steadiness within the growth of small business in Airdrie."

Bruce was also happy that the report shows that small business confidence levels in Alberta are approaching the national average.  "I think what we saw was a lot of fear and reaction over the last couple of years when the economy took such a drastic downturn.  People reaching out and starting small business is a big step for people to take.  It's a big step to remove yourself from the work force and retreating to developing that small business."

According to the CFIB report, small business confidence in March rose by five point five per cent to 55.5 per cent.  It's the first time since January, 2015 that business owners expecting a stronger business performance next year outnumber those expecting a weaker performance.  The report goes on to say that the top three major cost constraints for Alberta entrepreneurs are tax and regulatory costs, fuel and energy costs and wage pressures.

Bruce says those things may frighten some small business people, but that for someone that wants to start out, they don't have to be barriers.  

"I think a lot of those things can be broken down for a small business that wants to start.  I don't hear so much about that, but I imagine we're no different than other communities.  They could be perceived barriers more than actual barriers."

 

 
Questions, comments or story ideas? Email us at news@discoverairdrie.com