Bismarck-Mandan business leaders who spoke at an economic forum Thursday said they are hoping for a better year.
Members of the health care, higher education, service, and oil and gas industries spoke about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year and their thoughts on the future at the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC Economic Outlook Forum. The Chamber also presented the results of its Economic Outlook Survey, which saw businesses anticipating better performance in 2021.
Karel Sovak, dean of the University of Mary s Gary Tharaldson School of Business, presented the results of the outlook survey. Nearly half of the 130 businesses surveyed said they performed below expectations in 2020, with 60% citing COVID-19 as a factor. About 70% of businesses said they expected to do better this year, though COVID-19 and attracting and retaining qualified employees were named the top factors that could adversely affect performance.