While President-elect Barack Obama’s economic agenda aims to help the 27 million small business owners in the United States, restoring confidence among this group won’t be easy. A new survey by management consulting firm George S. May International shows the majority of small business owners feel credit relief is critical to their survival, but 60.2 percent don’t think it will come in time.

The poll of 750 small business owners across the United States showed the top three expectations from the new administration as being credit relief (35.1%), affordable healthcare for employees (32.6%) and tax rebates or incentives (32.3%).

"Business owners are not as worried about a tax increase as much as they fear a lack of relief," said Israel Kushnir, president of George S. May International. "No matter if it is credit and financing or taxes and healthcare, it’s important for small business owners to look at every aspect of their business and identify cost drivers and not wait until the government steps in to provide assistance."

In addition to late credit relief, 53.7 percent of respondents believe healthcare costs will rise in 2009, while 29.6 percent said healthcare costs will stay the same, and 16.7 percent believe costs will decrease.

"Small business owners are the largest employer group in the United States and the cost of healthcare coverage continues to grow as a critical concern for many of them," Kushnir added.