Big Sky Times

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has released its latest monthly Jobs Report, highlighting ongoing challenges for small business owners in finding employees. According to the report, this issue remains a significant concern for entrepreneurs across the nation.

Ronda Wiggers, state director for NFIB in Montana, commented on the economic conditions in the state. "The economic picture has always been a bit brighter in Montana than in the rest of the nation because of the state policies we put in place," she said. Wiggers urged the current legislative session to avoid introducing unnecessary regulations that could undermine existing successful policies.

The Jobs Report offers a national overview of NFIB-member small businesses but does not provide state-specific data. Typically, an NFIB member employs around 10 people and reports gross sales of approximately $500,000 annually. The NFIB plans to release its latest Small Business Optimism Index on January 14.

Bill Dunkelberg, NFIB Chief Economist, provided insights into the December Jobs Report. He noted that "finding qualified workers remained a major headwind for stronger job growth on Main Street." Dunkelberg also mentioned that while compensation increases have slowed among small businesses, they remained steady at year-end.

Key findings from the report include that 35% of small business owners reported unfilled job openings in December, a slight decrease from November. Additionally, 29% reported raising compensation during December, marking a decline from previous months and reaching its lowest level since March 2021. Looking ahead, 19% of owners plan to create new jobs within three months.

Sector-specific data revealed that job openings were most prevalent in transportation, construction, and manufacturing sectors but less so in agriculture and finance. Notably, construction job openings decreased significantly compared to both last month and last year.

For more information about small business news in Montana or updates from NFIB Montana, visit their website or follow them on social media.