Oregon business leaders have expressed concern following the latest monthly Jobs Report from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), which shows that 32% of small business owners nationwide reported job openings they could not fill in September, a figure unchanged from August. The last time this percentage dropped below 32% was in July 2020.
Anthony Smith, NFIB Oregon State Director, commented on the report and recent legislative developments: “While the national picture shows a relatively stable small business jobs market, Oregon businesses are bracing for increased costs and an even less competitive economic environment. The transportation tax and fee increases passed by the State Legislature this week are going to have real and measurable costs for our local businesses and their customers. But before the bill has even been signed by the governor, legislators in Salem are already dreaming up the next big tax increase – this time a bill to ‘disconnect’ from the pro-small business provisions of the federal tax bill that passed over the summer.”
The NFIB Jobs Report is based on a national survey of its members, who typically employ between one and nine people with average gross sales around $500,000 annually.
Bill Dunkelberg, NFIB Chief Economist, stated: “Main Street job openings remain above their historical average, with owners reporting few qualified applicants. While a recession appears unlikely, small business owners continue to experience economic uncertainty as many owners continue to grapple with labor imbalances.”
Other key findings from the report include:
– Twenty-nine percent of surveyed owners said there were few qualified applicants for open positions; 21% reported none.
– A seasonally adjusted net 16% plan to create new jobs in the next three months—an increase for four consecutive months and at its highest level since January.
– A net 31% of small business owners raised compensation in September (seasonally adjusted), while a net 19% plan further increases over the next three months.
NFIB has represented America’s small businesses for more than eight decades as a nonprofit association focused exclusively on independent businesses across all states.
