Confidence among Ohio’s small and midsize business leaders is rebounding this year after a rocky stretch in 2025, according to JPMorganChase’s 2026 Business Leaders Outlook survey.
The survey, released in January, found a turnaround from the previous June, when economic headwinds and uncertainty over shifting trade and tariff policy had caused some business leaders to put growth plans on hold — a dip felt most acutely among midsize companies, which tend to be more exposed to geopolitical and policy shifts. Small businesses held steadier optimism through 2025 but weren’t immune to domestic pressures, with inflation and wage costs cited as top concerns heading into this year.
Terrah Opferman, JPMorgan Commercial Banking’s region manager for Michigan and Ohio, said Ohio business leaders continue to show determination and adaptability navigating a complex economic landscape, pointing to their willingness to adopt new technologies and pursue growth opportunities as a sign of the local business community’s underlying strength.
The renewed confidence comes as Ohio has separately posted its strongest-ever showing in CNBC’s national business climate rankings this year (see: Ohio News). Together, the two data points paint a picture of a state economy that business leaders — at least for now — view as stable enough to support renewed investment, new partnerships, and continued hiring across sectors, even as inflation and workforce costs remain a persistent worry for owners planning their 2026 budgets.