Optimism grows among RI business owners

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- An informal poll of the Rhode Island business community reveals growing optimism about the state's economic recovery.

Representatives from more than 400 businesses took part in the 13th annual Economic Outlook Breakfast at the Omni Hotel in Providence Tuesday, hosted by Sovereign Bank and the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce.

In a real-time survey of the Rhode Island economy, 42 percent of respondents said they expected conditions will be in "somewhat better shape" in 2013.  49 percent said they expect the state of the Rhode Island economy to stay "about the same."

"It's clear that over the course of the year, people feel that the economy is improving, that conditions are getting better that they are ready to hire and they're ready to invest," said Laurie White, the President of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce.

The group says the next step is to analyze the survey results and find ways to keep confidence growing among both businesses and consumers.