Even though inflation has subsided, interest rates are heading down, and the labor market is loosening up, many business owners say the problems that emerged over the last few years haven’t gone away.

A labor shortage in manufacturing seems to be tempting them.

It’s an attempt by San Juan County officials to attract and recruit workers in the remote and expensive area.

The good news: The lowest proportion of small businesses since March 2021 reported having trouble hiring. The bad news: It’s still 40%.