Business confidence across Central Massachusetts dropped slightly in January, but remains above the state average, according to a Monday press release from the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts.
The region’s Business Confidence Index, which is rated on a 100-point scale, was 57.5 in January, down from 59.8 the previous month.
January’s mark was 1.6 points higher than the statewide reading of 55.9. Massachusetts as a whole has seen declining business confidence since a 65.6 peak in July.
“Employers face a multitude of uncertainties at the start of 2022, ranging from pandemic-induced absences among employees to rising prices for raw materials,” said Sara Johnson, chair of the AIM Board of Economic Advisors, in a statement. “Still, confidence remains in optimistic territory and manufacturers, in particular, are upbeat about their business prospects.”
The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce began reporting the region’s business confidence in partnership with AIM in November.
