Businesses in the Monmouth - Ocean county region appear to be less bullish this year than in previous years. That's the preliminary finding of the Monmouth Ocean Development Council's (MODC) 2015 Business Outlook Survey that will be presented this Friday at the group's luncheon in Spring Lake Heights.

Stephen Reed of certified public accounting and consulting firm, Cowan, Gunteski & Company, charged with facilitating the study, said even though the economy is improving, 150 businesses who responded to the survey (about 10%), had a less optimistic view of sales increasing and profits increasing and appeared to be less likely to hire more employees or increase salaries this year.

"That's why the conclusion is we call them 'slightly optimistic'. They're optimistic in certain areas in other areas they're still holding back or pulling back," Reed said.

The technology sector, which represents IT, data management, data restoration and software companies, on the other hand, appeared to be the most optimistic, followed by professional services and the healthcare industries, according to the survey. Reed said 50% percent of the respondents in the technology sector said they plan on increasing their employment levels in 2015.

It's the tenth year the MODC's Business Outlook Survey has been conducted. Industries interviewed represented the healthcare, manufacturing, nonprofit, professional services, retail, technology, tourism and other service industries.

The findings will be presented this Friday, January 16, at the Mill at Spring Lake Heights from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Stephen Reed, CPA, will be presenting the findings. Get ticket information at MODC.com.

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