Brainerd Area Business Optomism Improves

Business prospects are improving around the Brainerd Lakes Area, according to a recent chamber of commerce poll.

Of the chamber membership asked, 41 percent thought business would be better this year over 2009. Last year at this time, 45 percent of the respondents thought business would be worse than the year before.

There appears to be good news on the employment front, too. Respondents indicated they will hire over 700 full-time employees in 2010 and anticipate only 75 layoffs.
Increased optimism, expectations of maximized resources, and high Chamber rating were key findings of the 2010 annual member survey of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber according to Executive Director, Lisa Paxton.

Businesses were uncertain about how recent state and federal legislation will affect their operations. A wide range of responses were listed from increasing OSHA inspections to MPCA requirements, taxes, outdoor events, new lead based paint legislation and banking industry rules.