Worcester Business Journal Special Editions

Worcester Business Journal www.wbjournal.com 2014 Economic Forecast 7 What do you expect housing prices to do in 2014? What is your estimate for your company's revenue performance for 2014 compared to 2013? What is your estimate for your company's bottom line (net income/profit) for 2014 compared to 2013? What's the biggest impediment to business growth in Massachusetts? e most significant change for 2014 compared with 2013? A big jump in the number of respondents who believe housing prices are on the rise. Nearly four in every five see a good year ahead for their businesses ... ... and the number of respondents who see more profitability ahead also rose. Economics and government take it on the chin about equally each year. 2014 Increase more than 20% ........8% Increase 11-20% ..................... 17% Increase 1-10% ....................... 53% Decrease 1-10% ........................4% Decrease 11-20% ..................... 4% Decrease more than 20% ..... 1% No growth ............................... 14% Increase more than 20% ........7% Increase 11-20% ........................9% Increase 1-10% ....................... 55% Decrease 1-10% ........................8% Decrease 11-20% ..................... 1% Decrease more than 20% ..... 2% No growth ............................... 18% Increase more than 20% ........6% Increase 11-20% ..................... 13% Increase 1-10% ....................... 51% Decrease 1-10% ........................8% Decrease 11-20% ..................... 4% Decrease more than 20% ..... 2% No growth ............................... 15% Increase more than 20% ........7% Increase 11-20% ..................... 10% Increase 1-10% ....................... 56% Decrease 1-10% ........................5% Decrease 11-20% ..................... 4% Decrease more than 20% ..... 1% No growth ............................... 17% Increase more than 20% ........4% Increase 11-20% ..................... 10% Increase 1-10% ....................... 51% Decrease 1-10% ........................8% Decrease 11-20% ..................... 2% Decrease more than 20% ..... 2% No growth ............................... 23% Increase more than 20% ........5% Increase 11-20% ........................9% Increase 1-10% ....................... 49% Decrease 1-10% ..................... 10% Decrease 11-20% ..................... 2% Decrease more than 20% ..... 3% No growth ............................... 22% Note: Numbers for some questions may not add up to 100 due to rounding. 2013 2012 2011 2010 Increase 62% Decrease 4% Remain the same 34% Increase 44% Decrease 4% Remain the same 52% Increase 12% Decrease 15% Remain the same 72% Increase 29% Decrease 24% Reamian the same 47% 2013 2012 2011 2013 2012 2011 2013 2012 2011 High taxes 22% High cost of living 23% Other 20% High health care costs 17% Slow regulatory process 14% High energy costs 5% High taxes 18% High cost of living 22% Other 19% High health care costs 18% Slow regulatory process 17% High energy costs 6% High taxes 18% High cost of living 24% Other 21% High health care costs 21% Slow regulatory process 8% High energy costs 8%

• Cover