PublicSquare, RedBalloon, and USCCC launch new “State of Main Street” Index—Christian businesses included for the first time.
Main Street Speaks—And It’s Stronger Than Expected.
This week three of the biggest names in the Main Street small business community launched a new measure of economic health, backed by the national “Freedom Economy” survey. Coming in at a solid score of “57,” the State of Main Street Index reveals small businesses preparing for positive growth amid ongoing recovery from the last four years.
Key Takeaways:
- Main Street is shifting from survival mode to growth mode.
- High prices and soft demand still top the worry list.
- Tariffs? Minimal impact so far, modest worry about what’s next.
- Hiring’s on the rise—but qualified talent is still elusive.
- Only half have touched AI, leaving huge upside for adoption.
- Elon’s still a fan favorite… unless he goes full third party.
“Small business owners have lived through inflation, supply chain collapse, and mandates. They’re not looking for bailouts—they’re asking D.C. to get out of the way and let the free market work,” said Michael Seifert, CEO of PublicSquare. “We basically have all the signs of an economy emerging from a tough period. But when rising costs are still the top threat, Washington can’t afford to get complacent.”
The Index is built from seven key measures encapsulated in survey questions, including current economic health, revenues, customer traffic, inflation expectations, hiring plans, and investment outlook. The inaugural results show 71% of Main Street owners expect inflation to stabilize or drop, over half plan to invest in growth this year, and Trump’s economic approval rating stands at 76% positive.
Hiring is also picking up, but employers say finding qualified talent is still a difficult task. “There’s plenty of available people, but not enough who are truly ready to contribute on day one,” said Andrew Crapuchettes, CEO of RedBalloon.work. “Higher education has failed the job market, and Main Street is paying the price. Couple that with persistently high costs, and growth gets harder than it should be.”
“Businesses are resilient, and the free market is again poised to reward the risk-takers who dare to build and pursue their dreams,” added Krystal Parker, President of the U.S. Christian Chamber of Commerce. “But if high prices don’t come down, consumers will keep tightening their belts—and that slows everyone down.”
👉 Full survey results, charts, and regional data are available at FreedomEconomy.us
