2026 HBJ Economic Forecast Survey Welcome to Hartford Business Journal's 2026 Economic Forecast Survey, sponsored by NBT Bank. Thank you for participating. Your feedback is valued and appreciated. This is a brief survey that will take 4 minutes or less to fill out. The results will be printed in our Jan. 12 print publication and online. If you complete the survey, you can enter a drawing to win a $100 gift certificate to a Connecticut restaurant. Thanks!Greg BordonaroHartford Business Journal, Editor Question Title * 1. How will Connecticut's economy fare in 2026 compared to 2025? Improve significantly Improve slightly Remain the same Decline slightly Decline significantly Question Title * 2. Do you think Connecticut's economy is in better or worse condition today than it was at this time last year? Better Worse Not sure Question Title * 3. Do you plan to hire additional staff in 2026? Yes No Too soon to tell/I don't know Question Title * 4. By what percentage do you expect your employee base to grow in 2026? Negative growth No growth 0.1% to 5% 5.5% to 10% 10.5% or more Question Title * 5. Are you able to find workers to fill open positions? No difficulty to find qualified workers Little difficulty to find qualified workers Very difficult to find qualified workers Impossible to find qualified workers Question Title * 6. Do you anticipate having to raise wages to attract employees? Yes No Unsure at this time Question Title * 7. Do you have plans to expand in 2026? Yes, with new product lines Yes, with expansion into new geographic territories Yes, with new or expanded facilities Yes, with a combination of some or all of the above No Question Title * 8. Will you raise capital in 2026? Yes No I don't know Question Title * 9. What method do you primarily plan to use to raise capital in 2026? We don't plan to raise capital Bank loans Private investment (including venture capital) Public markets Micro-investors (or "crowdfunding") Other (please specify) Question Title * 10. Do you plan to make a major investment in property, plant or equipment in 2026? Yes No Too soon to tell/don't know Question Title * 11. How will your office space needs change in 2026? Office space footprint will shrink Office space footprint will increase We are abandoning office space completely and moving to remote work only No change Question Title * 12. Are you requiring employees to be in the office in 2025? Yes, 5 days a week Yes, part time/hybrid No, not at all Question Title * 13. What is your estimate for your company's revenue performance for 2026 compared to 2025? Decrease more than 20% Decrease 11 to 20% Decrease 1 to 10% No growth Increase 1 to 10% Increase 11 to 20% Increase more than 20% Question Title * 14. What is your estimate for your company's bottom line (net income/profit) performance for 2026 compared to 2025? Decrease more than 20% Decrease 11 to 20% Decrease 1 to 10% No growth Increase 1 to 10% Increase 11 to 20% Increase more than 20% Question Title * 15. If you anticipate revenue growth, where will it come from? New products New customers Better retention rate of current customers Current customers buying more Other (please specify) Question Title * 16. What’s the biggest impediment to business growth in Connecticut? Taxes Inflation Energy costs Regulatory process Healthcare costs Workforce shortage Other (please specify) Question Title * 17. What do you expect housing prices to do in 2026? Decrease Remain flat Increase Question Title * 18. Do you expect tariffs to impact your business in 2026? Significant negative impact Moderate negative impact Minimal or no impact Positive impact (e.g., increased competitiveness) Not sure Question Title * 19. What are your expectations for inflation in 2026? Increase Decrease Remain stable Question Title * 20. Where will the Fed Funds rate be at the end of 2026? Over 4.1% Between 3.1% to 4% Between 2.1% to 3% 2% or below Question Title * 21. Will there be a U.S. recession in 2026? Yes, definitely Possibly — mild slowdown No, the economy will keep growing Not sure Question Title * 22. How will your firm's healthcare costs fare in 2026? Increase 1 to 10% Increase 11 to 20% Increase more than 20% No change Decrease 1 to 10% Decrease 11 to 20% Decrease more than 20% Question Title * 23. What industry do you primarily serve? Accounting Advertising, Media & Marketing Agriculture Arts & Culture Banking & Finance Construction Economic Development Education Energy & Utilities Entrepreneurs Environment Government & Politics Green Business Health Care Hospitality & Tourism Insurance Legal & Courts Logistics Manufacturing Nonprofits Printing & Graphics Real Estate Research & Development Retail Sports & Outdoors Technology Telecommunications Transportation Question Title * 24. What best describes your business? Privately held Publicly traded Nonprofit Other (please specify) Question Title * 25. How many people are employed at your company? 1-9 10-19 20-49 50-99 100-249 250-499 500 or more Question Title * 26. How do you read the Hartford Business Journal? In print only Online only Combination of print and online Question Title * 27. Please fill in the information below to be entered into a drawing to receive a $100 gift certificate to a Hartford or New Haven restaurant. 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