For the Month of January

• Businesses that have fewer than 50 employees lost 12,000 workers.
• Companies in the 50 to 499 employee range added a net of 9,000 jobs.

These statistics paint a picture of an economy that still suffers from some affects of the recession but is also en route to recovery.  Small business owners can take various avenues towards raising money to build up their businesses, hire new workers and be part of an economic recovery.

• Obama’s recent proposals, including a $5,000 per worker hiring tax credit

-          View an outline of proposed tax credits for small business owners here.

• Business Cash Advance

-          Get up to $500,000 in unsecured business funds and use the cash however you choose.

This past four weeks has seen fewer Americans sign up for jobless benefits as figures have shown that executives are becoming more and more confident about economic recovery.

This past 4 week average has declined to 473,750 from the previous 4 week average of 481,500, based on Labor Dept. figures. Since December 2007 (when the recession began), our economy has shed some 7.2 million jobs. This improvement is a pretty good indication that companies will begin hiring again soon, which will fuel consumer spending and lead to sustained economic recovery.

Another good sign came today from the Commerce Department which reported that the U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly shrank 7.6 percent in October and is much smaller than economist predicted.

Of course it is still too early to break out the party favors, but these signs could be a telling indicator that economic recovery may be gaining steam.