Ohio’s small business environment has improved over the past year, according the 2019 Small Business Friendliness Survey. The annual report card by San Francisco-based Thumbtack considered several factors, including licensing requirements, taxes, and labor and hiring regulations. Ohio received an overall grade of B+, an improvement from its 2018 grade of B. The Buckeye State scored an A+ for its regulations affecting employment, labor, and hiring. However, it received a D in the “ease of hiring” category, reflecting owners’ frustration with Ohio’s ongoing workforce shortage. 9/9/2019