Spotlight: Optimism Reigns in Orange County

Orange County’s top executives remain bullish about the local economy and their own business prospects, with a record number expecting to hire more workers this year, according to a UC Irvine study. Despite unease over Asia and concerns about skilled worker shortages, 83% expect their businesses to expand in the next five years. “The survey tells a very strong growth story, and the growth is driven by sales” from expanding markets, said UCI professor Dennis Aigner, who heads the annual study.