--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Almost even split on satisfaction with local economy
Overall, how satisfied are you with the condition of the economy as it affects your business … ?

Apr ‘04	Oct ‘04
8%	11%	very satisfied
39%	38%	somewhat satisfied
47%	49%	Total SATISFIED
24%	28%	somewhat dissatisfied
26%	20%	very dissatisfied
50%	48%	Total DISSATISFIED
3%	3%	Undecided/don’t know

More pessimism in six-month business outlook
Over the next six months, would you say that your business outlook is good or bad?

Apr ‘04	Oct ‘04
24%	22%	very good
47%	46%	somewhat good
71%	68%	Total GOOD
8%	5%	Some ways good/bad
13%	16%	somewhat bad
6%	5%	very bad
19%	21%	Total BAD
2%	6%	Undecided/don’t know

Half see 6-month bottom line outlook maintaining
Over the next six months, do you expect your bottom line to improve with profits growing over expenses … worsen with costs taking a larger share of profits [or] pretty much remain the same?

Apr ‘04	Oct ‘04
11%	9%	improve a lot
20%	16%	improve somewhat
31%	25%	Total IMPROVE
4%	6%	Costs will exceed profits
45%	50%	Costs will remain the same
11%	11%	worsen somewhat
3%	3%	worsen a lot
14%	14%	Total WORSEN
6%	5%	Undecided/don’t know

Most still plan to maintain current number of employees
Over the next six months, do you plan to hire more employees, maintain the number of employees you have, or do you expect that you might have to lay off some of your employees?

Apr ‘04	Oct ‘04
22%	20%	Plans to hire more employees
66%	70%	Will maintain number of employees
6%	6%	May have to lay off employees
2%	3%	Will lay off employees  (volunteered)
4%	1%	Undecided/don’t know

Decline in numbers planning pay increases for employees
This year, do you plan to increase wages for your employees?

Apr ‘04	Oct ‘04
47%	42%	Yes
41%	47%	No
1%	1%	Will seek a decrease/wage concessions (volunteered)
11%	101%	Undecided/don’t know

Most continue to see no change in employees’ benefits
In the next six months, do you anticipate that the benefit package for your employees will stay the same or change?

Apr ‘04	Oct ‘04
75%	77%	Benefits will stay the same
16%	15%	Benefits will change
9%	8%	Undecided/don’t know

More expect no increase in employees’ health care costs
Specifically, based on any expected increased cost for health care for your business, do you expect to absorb those costs, increase employee premiums or decrease healthcare benefits?

Apr ‘04	Oct ‘04
29%	28%	Absorb the costs
22%	16%	Increase employee premiums
6%	8%	Decrease healthcare benefits
1%	1%	Combination of increased premiums and decreased benefits (volunteered)
4%	3%	Combination of all options (volunteered)
13%	22%	No increase in costs (volunteered)
3%	--%	No insurance
22%	22%	Undecided/don’t know

Fewer plan new office equipment expenditures
Do you plan to spend money in the next six months by either purchasing or leasing any office equipment?

Apr ‘04	Oct ‘04
25%	20%	Yes
72%	78%	No
3%	2%	Undecided/don’t know

Little change in plans for new advertising expenditures
Do you plan to purchase advertising in the next six months?

Apr ‘04	Oct ‘04
48%	50%	Yes
50%	49%	No
2%	1%	Undecided/don’t know

Majority will maintain current number of locations
Do you plan to expand your business by adding one or more new locations in the next six months, do you expect to consolidate your business by closing one or more locations, or will you be keeping the same number of locations?

Apr ‘04	Oct ‘04
10%	9%	Will add location
4%	4%	Will consolidate
84%	84%	Will keep the same number of locations
2%	3%	Undecided/don’t know

No increase in plans for product/service expansion
Do you plan to expand your business with a new product line or a new service in the next six months?

Apr ‘04	Oct ‘04
11%	12%	Yes, a new product line
11%	12%	Yes, a new service
3%	2%	Both
69%	66%	No, will not expand either
6%	8%	Undecided/don’t know

Further decline in the number planning education/training expenditures
Do you plan to spend any funds on employee education and training over the next six months? [IF “YES”] How much do you expect to spend?

Apr ’04	Oct ’04
42%	31%	Yes, will spend $________   Mean:
		Apr ’04		Oct ‘04
		$3,513.15		$2,601.08
52%	69%	No, will not spend anything
6%	--%	Undecided/don’t know

Fewer than half have business travel plans
Do you plan to travel or have any of your employees travel for business purposes in the next six months?

Apr ‘04	Oct ‘04
18%	27%	Yes, respondent
14%	9%	Yes, employees
19%	15%	Both
48%	48%	No, don’t plan to travel
1%	1%	Undecided/don’t know