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Slowly, but surely, the recession’s vice-like grip on Calgary has loosened, with businesses growing more optimistic and 40 per cent planning to hire more workers.

A new survey of business owners and operators by Calgary Economic Development and the Calgary Chamber of Commerce finds confidence has been growing in the local economy in the past year.

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Some 62 per cent of respondents said their businesses are busier now than in 2017 — up 27 percentage points over the past year— while only 14 per cent described this year as being slower.

Looking at the future, six in 10 believe things will generally improve in the next year. Only 11 per cent anticipate it will get worse.

“I do see this as a very positive piece of information,” said Calgary chamber CEO Sandip Lalli.

“They are telling us they are going to invest in their business, so they are going to grow their businesses domestically and internationally.”