2026년, 미네소타 중소기업의 낙관론 부활! 성장 기회가 온다?

Rising optimism among small and middle market business leaders suggests growth opportunities for Minnesota

• Business optimism is returning for small and midsize business leaders at the start of 2026, fueling confidence and growth plans. The 2026 Business Leaders Outlook survey, released in January by JPMorganChase reveals a turnaround from last June, when economic headwinds and uncertainty about shifting policies and tariffs caused some leaders to put their business plans on hold. Midsize companies, who often find themselves more exposed to geopolitical shifts and policy changes, experienced a significant dip in business and economic confidence in June of 2025. As they have become more comfortable with the complexities of today’s environment, we are seeing optimism rebounding in the middle market nationwide – an encouraging sign for growth, hiring, and innovation. Small businesses, meanwhile, maintained steady optimism throughout 2025, but they aren’t shielded from domestic concerns. Many cited inflation and wage pressures as the top challenges for 2026 and are taking steps to ensure their businesses are prepared for what’s ahead. Overall, both small and midsize business leaders are feeling more confident to pursue growth opportunities, embrace emerging technologies and, in some cases, forge new strategic partnerships. That bodes well for entrepreneurs in Minnesota. Here are a few other key findings from the Business Leaders Outlook about trends expected to drive activity in Minnesota this year: Despite challenges, leaders are bullish. A good portion of middle market businesses in the Midwest (43%) are optimistic about the national economy, which is higher than optimism among all middle market businesses surveyed (39%), and 41% are optimistic about the local economy. For middle market leaders, uncertainty remains an issue. Though the overall outlook is mixed, over half (67%) of Minnesota midsize business leaders agreed the top challenge facing their business in 2026 is uncertain economic conditions. Labor is a concern. Going into 2026, labor is a top three concern among business leaders in the Midwest (higher than revenue and sales growth, which was the third nationally). For Minnesota middle market businesses surveyed, government policy changes (other than tariffs) and labor were tied for the top second challenge among 36% of leaders. Tariffs are impacting businesses costs. Seventy percent of Minnesota midsize business leaders say tariffs have a negative impact on the cost of doing business, while just 18% say tariffs have had no impact at all. Big plans are on the horizon. Forty-three percent of Midwest middle market business leaders are considering M&A as a strategy in the next 12 months, compared to 39% of leaders nationally. Additionally, 41% Minnesota midsize business leaders expect an increase in headcount. The bottom line Rebounding optimism among U.S. business leaders at the start of the year is setting the stage for an active 2026. With business leaders looking to implement ambitious growth plans that position themselves for the future, momentum in Minnesota could be beneficial future goals for leaders looking to launch, grow or scale their business this year. For informational/educational purposes only: Views and strategies described in this article or provided via links may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice/recommendation for any business. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/or subsidiaries do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. The material is not intended to provide legal, tax, or financial advice or to indicate the availability or suitability of any JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. product or service. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions and consult the appropriate professional(s). Outlooks and past performance are not guarantees of future results. JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates are not responsible for, and do not provide or endorse third party products, services, or other content. Deposit products provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender.  © 2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co. MORE SPONSORED CONTENT BY JPMORGANCHASE Sponsored Content AI Revolution: Disruption Today, Growth Tomorrow for Minneapolis-St. Paul’s Workforce By Morgan Truscott, Minnesota Head of Investments and Advice, J.P. Morgan Private Bank AI is not just a buzzword. It is a force already reshaping the city’s economic landscape. 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요즘 비즈니스 리더들이 다시 긍정적인 전망을 가지게 되었다는 소식이 전해왔습니다. ‘Rising optimism among small and middle market business leaders suggests growth opportunities for Minnesota’라는 제목의 이 기사는 2026년 시작을 맞이하며 소규모 및 중규모 기업 리더들 사이에 다시금 자신감이 생기고 있다는 것을 이야기하고 있습니다. 지난 2025년 6월, 경제적 어려움과 정책의 변화에 대한 불확실성으로 많은 기업들이 사업 계획을 미루었던 것과는 사뭇 다른 분위기이죠. 여기서 ‘optimism’이라는 단어가 중요한데요, 이는 단순한 기대를 넘어서, 기업들이 새로운 전략적 파트너십을 모색하고 혁신을 꾀한다는 점에서 매우 긍정적인 신호랍니다.

특히, 중소기업들이 글로벌 경제의 변화에 크게 영향을 받는 경우가 많기 때문에 이들의 안도감이 커졌다는 점에서도 주목할 필요가 있어요. 그들은 불확실한 시장에서 점차 안정감을 찾고 있으며, 이는 기업에 대한 큰 전환점이 될 수 있습니다. "이 변화가 정말 우리에게 필요한 것이었을까?"라는 질문을 던지며, 우리는 오늘날의 환경에서 어떤 태도를 가져야 할지 고민해 볼 필요가 있겠어요.

반면, 소규모 기업들은 2025년 내내 상당한 낙관주의를 유지했지만, 인플레이션과 임금 압박 같은 국내 문제는 여전히 큰 도전 과제가 되고 있다고 합니다. 이 상태로 진행된다면 어떤 선택을 해야 할까요? 기업들이 앞으로 나아가기 위해 어떤 준비를 하고 있는지도 매우 흥미로운 포인트죠. 전체적으로, 미네소타의 비즈니스 리더들은 더 많은 성장을 추구할 수 있는 자신감을 회복하고 있다는 점에서 희망적인 신호를 보고 있습니다.

📝 오늘의 핵심 영어 표현

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rebounding optimism

뜻

회복되는 낙관주의

맥락

이 표현은 비즈니스 리더들이 경제 전망에 대해 더욱 긍정적인 태도를 가지게 되었음을 나타내며, 기업들이 미래를 바라보는 희망적인 시각을 잘 전달합니다.

예문

With rebounding optimism, the team decided to invest in new technology.

uncertain economic conditions

뜻

불확실한 경제 상황

맥락

이 표현은 기업들이 당면한 가장 큰 도전 중 하나가 경제의 불확실성이라는 것을 잘 보여줍니다. 이는 사업 계획에도 큰 영향을 미칩니다.

예문

Many business leaders are worried about uncertain economic conditions affecting their growth plans.

strategic partnerships

뜻

전략적 파트너십

맥락

이 용어는 기업들이 성장 기회를 찾아 새로운 협업을 모색하고 있다는 점에서, 기업 전략의 중요성을 강조합니다.

예문

Forming strategic partnerships can enhance our market position.

emerging technologies

뜻

신기술

맥락

비즈니스 리더들이 성장과 혁신을 위해 어떤 새로운 기술을 도입하려 하는지를 나타내며, 현대 비즈니스의 트렌드를 반영합니다.

예문

Investing in emerging technologies can help improve efficiency.

economic headwinds

뜻

경제적 역풍

맥락

‘headwinds’란 일반적으로 장애물이나 도전 요소를 의미하는데, 여기서는 사업에 영향을 미치는 경제적 요인들을 지칭합니다.

예문

Companies must navigate through economic headwinds to survive.

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