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According to a recent forecast from the National Retail Federation, industry sales are on the rise and are expected to increase by 2.5 percent from last year. Positives in the housing market and employment are giving consumer confidence a boost, which is expected to spur retail sales. Mike Schuring, President of the Pella Chamber of Commerce, says business in Pella seemed to have faired better than the national average during the economic downturn.

“I think that we probably have a little bit more level sales in the community than the national average, so I think that people [business owners] are pretty positive [on] how the year looks,” said Schurring.

He adds that local businesses will need to continue to find ways to meet the needs of their customers.

“We need to continue to offer what the customers are looking for, and educate them that we have it, so I think that we just need to all work together and invite them [customers] to our businesses.”

Jessie Wilson, Executive Office Manager at the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce says the opening of new businesses and restaurants in Knoxville has helped draw consumers into town and thinks that will continue to positively impact the Knoxville economy.