The BC barometer index increased slightly from 68.0 in December to 69.3 in January. Index levels between 65 and 75 indicate a growing economy.The confidence level in B.C. has remained constant for the last several months and remains above the national confidence level of 65.2.The province ranks third in confidence to Alberta (73.3) and Saskatchewan (70.0). Most employers do not plan to make changes to full-time employment levels (69 per cent), with 15 per cent planning to increase full-time employment and 16 per cent planning to decrease employment.Further highlights:·     52 per cent of businesses in B.C. say the overall state of business is satisfactory, 31 per cent say it is good and 17 per cent say it is bad.·     Taxes/regulations are the largest cost concern for businesses with 63 per cent of business owners saying these costs are causing difficulties for their business.·     55 per cent of B.C. small businesses say that insufficient domestic demand is their greatest business constraint.

Comox Valley Record