MACON – Area businesses experienced a very positive 2019 and were expecting an even better 2020 prior to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the results of Mercer University’s 2019 Middle Georgia Economic Outlook Survey, released today.
The survey was conducted by the Center for the Study of Economics and Liberty (CSEL) in Mercer’s Stetson-Hatcher School of Business.
The CSEL received responses to its electronic survey from 145 individuals. Dr. Antonio Saravia, associate professor of economics and director of the Center, compiled the results, which can be viewed by clicking here.
“In general terms, businesses in Middle Georgia seemed to have experienced a very strong 2019 and were expecting an even stronger 2020 before the economic disruption cause by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Saravia. “The indices for net earnings, sales and hiring were all up for 2019 and were predicted to continue to increase in 2020. While companies in Middle Georgia still struggle finding the right talent in the area, the economic sentiment continued to be positive as the economy was expanding. The survey showed absolutely no recessionary concerns, but that, of course, was all before the pandemic.”
Respondents represented considerable variety in terms of company size, geography and industry. Most were small businesses under 10 employees, which accounted for 44% of the total number of respondents. The majority had principal offices located in Bibb (44%), Houston (27%) and Baldwin (13%) counties. Respondents represented a wide range of industries, led by professional and technical service (14%) and retail trade (10%).
The Center for the Study of Economics and Liberty conducts the survey and publishes its results each year. For more information, contact Dr. Saravia at (478) 301-5541 or saravia_av@mercer.edu.
About the School of Business
Established in 1984, Mercer’s School of Business is named for Eugene W. Stetson, a 1901 Mercer graduate and business pioneer who leveraged the first major buyout in corporate history, and his grandson Robert F. (Bob) Hatcher, a Macon businessman, longtime supporter, trustee and former board chair for the University. Over the past 80 years, Mercer has granted over 12,000 business degrees, and many of its graduates hold senior leadership positions in companies around the world. Mercer’s business school delivers career-focused business education in order to develop innovative leaders who are responsible global citizens. It holds accreditation from the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), which places it among the top five percent of all top business schools worldwide. Mercer’s business school has been recognized by the Princeton Review for “Greatest Opportunity for Minority Students” and “Greatest Opportunity for Women” as well as being one of its “Best Business Schools.” In addition, it has been recognized among the “Top 15 Schools in the Nation for Marketing and Accounting.” The School offers the following programs: Atlanta (Evening BBA, Full-Time (One-Year) MBA, Evening MBA, Executive MBA, Professional MBA, Master of Accountancy, M.S. in Business Analytics), Macon (Traditional BBA and Evening MBA), Douglas County and Henry County (Evening BBA). For more information, visit business.mercer.edu.
