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A new survey of business owners released Friday by PNC Bank finds fewer Pennsylvania employers planning to hire full-time workers and just over half optimistic about the economic outlook in their local areas.

Only 9 percent of small and mid-sized business owners plan full-time hiring, compared to 15 percent in the spring. The survey is conducted twice yearly. Fewer owners anticipate increased sales and profits in the next six months and nearly two-thirds have a pessimistic view of the national economy.

Other findings:

• While 58 percent of respondents plan some capital spending in the next six months, only 12 percent expect to take out a new loan or line of credit. That’s down from 24 percent in the spring.

• Eighty-one percent of owners expect their employee count to stay the same.

• Only 17 percent say tax incentives for hiring new employees will positively affect their hiring plans. Sixteen percent say reduced regulations would be an incentive to hire.

• Despite the short-term pessimism, 73 percent expect at least moderate growth in their business over the next two years.

The survey was conducted between July 26 and Sept. 12.

on the web

Find a link to the complete survey at www.timesleader.com