A positive outlook among small businesses isn’t reflected in business spending.

An Interesting survey from US Bank finds small businesses in Washington are optimistic about the local economy, but aren’t translating that optimism into more hiring or investing. Here’s the release:

SEATTLE (May 12, 2015) Washington small business owners are more optimistic about the national economy than their counterparts across the country and, beyond that, they believe that Washingtons economy is stronger than the national.

This is according to results of the 2015 U.S. Bank Small Business Annual Survey. The survey reveals trends in economic sentiment, issues of greatest concern to small business owners, plans for future hiring and capital expenditures, innovation and more.

Seattles small business sector is diverse and healthy, said Joey Nix, regional business banking manager for U.S. Bank in Seattle. In an area of the country known for being tech savvy and innovative, our small business owners are no different. Theyve historically been early adopters of new technology, most recently exploring and investing in technology to help with marketing, inventory management, financial tracking and customer analytics.

Now in its sixth year, the survey polled 3,202 small businesses during the first quarter of 2015, including 200 in Washington, with $10 million or less in annual revenue across the 25 states where U.S. Bank provides small business banking services.

Economic Outlook

Two-thirds (66 percent) Washington small business owners believe the national economy is in a recovery or expansion, similar to the 67 percent across the country. Beyond that, 41 percent say that the states economy is stronger than the national. The most commonly cited reason for saying so is that the area was shielded from the recession due to strong local industry. Nationally, only 30 percent of small business owners described their state economy as stronger than the national. Looking at their own business, three in four describe the financial health of their business as good to excellent.

Describe financial health of their business as good, very good, excellent:

Investing In Their Business

Despite feeling good about the state and national economy, Washington small business owners are actually less likely than their national counterparts to make significant investments in their business this year. One in five (21 percent) are likely to add to staff in the next year, compared to 25 percent nationally, and 64 percent say theyre unlikely to make a capital expenditure, compared to 55 percent nationally. Fittingly, they say borrowings at a five-year low, yet access to capital remains high.

Have borrowed or tried to borrow money for business purposes over the last 6 months:

Describe their business’ ability to borrow money as easy:

National Issues

Washington small business owners cited healthcare as the top national issue, a change from last year when the federal budget took the top spot. Nationally, healthcare was most commonly cited as the top issue. In Washington and across the county, fewer small business owners than in previous years said that the Affordable Care Act would have a negative long-term impact.

Mobile Technology & Social Media

Small business owners in Washington and across the country continue to embrace mobile technology. At the state level, 73 percent (compared to 75 percent nationally) said they have integrated mobile technology into their business strategy, whether through mobile banking, social networking, web design, payments or other uses.

Beyond that, social media is playing a greater role in small business owners strategies. In addition to looking to new technology to position their businesses in the marketplace, 59 percent of Washington small business owners (compared to 67 percent nationally) maintain a social media presence to make connections, find talent or market their business. Those who maintain a presence said that Facebook was most effective, followed by LinkedIn.