Regional employers remain bullish on the local economy but worried about uncertainty in the national economy, according to the third annual Next Normal (N²) Regional Employer Survey conducted by the Next Normal workgroup, which includes several regional public- and private-sector organizations.
The survey, which received responses from 218 organizations in September, found that 92% of employers reported stable or growing workforce and 81% reported stable or growing revenue.
Their expectations for growth in 2027 remain equally strong, the Chamber said, but national economic pressures are their top concern.
Employers cited inflation, rising healthcare costs and higher tariffs as the primary barriers to growth.
“Though many respondents cited economic uncertainty and domestic and global headwinds as barriers, the overall outlook for the region’s business climate remains positive,” Chamber Vice President Kevin Little said in a press release. “Employers continue to demonstrate confidence in the region’s economy, with strong expectations for growth in the year ahead.”
Another key finding is that while employer adoption of artificial intelligence continues to rise, operational integration lags.
According to the Chamber, 83% of employers reported using AI, up from 79% in 2025 and 51% in 2024, but just over half of AI-using employees say their use of the tools is minimal.
This article was updated to include the entities who conducted the survey.
