Mercer businesses expect growth

MERCER, Pa. -- A survey indicates that 65 percent of Mercer County businesses expect sales growth next year, while 33 percent expect to add jobs.
The businesses were polled as part of a statewide survey of more than 8,500 businesses. The state Department of Community and Economic Development coordinated the survey.
The local segment was handled by Penn-Northwest Development Corp., which talked to 212 local businesses.
"It's good news for Mercer County when over half of the businesses surveyed expect to grow in the next year," said Larry Reichard, executive director of the Mercer-based development agency.
These were the top challenges mentioned by Mercer County businesses: health care, 18 percent; work-force issues, 14 percent; economy, 11 percent; and supply chain, 10 percent.
Statewide, 80 percent of businesses said they expected sales growth next year and 50 percent expected to add employees.
These are the top challenges mentioned statewide: competition, 18 percent; health care, 16 percent; work force, 15 percent; sales and marketing, 12 percent.