PNC Bank: Business owners' optimism strong

PNC Bank says its most recent survey of business owners shows their optimism at a 21-year record high, even as hiring concerns linger.

PNC says 77% of surveyed small business owners and mid-sized business owners are optimistic about their business despite some economists' expectations for a national recession.

And almost half of respondents say there are not enough applicants for open positions, the Pennsylvania-based bank says in a recent news release. The survey included businesses in Southwest Florida, including two in Naples, a PNC spokesperson told the Business Observer.