Small Biz Owners Give Thumbs Down on Economy

Impacted by rising prices for such staples as gas and food, nearly eight of 10 small business owners feel the economy is getting worse, according to the Discover Small Business Watch -- the highest level since the SMB survey debuted in August 2006. The monthly poll, which surveys 1,000 small business owners, showed that 53 percent indicated that the economic conditions for their business are getting worse, compared to 47 percent in May, while roughly 58 percent rated the economy as poor, an increase from 50 percent from the prior month. Some 42 percent of small business operators said they have experienced cash-flow issues over the last 90 days, an increase from 39 percent recorded for the previous month.