Survey Shows Small Business Feeling A Little Stronger Now

(Undated) -- A new survey of small businesses finds that most believe the economy is improving, even if the improvement is slow. Kathy Bromage with The Hartford, which did the survey, says there's a continued lack of consumer demand. That's why only about one-third of small businesses have added staff in the past year. Still though, 77-percent felt the U.S. economy is improving. That's up from 70-percent a year ago. Small businesses also reported having less trouble getting business loans, but the survey found few asking for them.