March 23, 2026
NSB Report: Nevada Businesses Show Rising Confidence and Accelerating AI Adoption
LAS VEGAS – Nevada State Bank (NSB) 13th annual Small Business Survey Report shows a five‑year high in economic confidence among Nevada’s small business community, with 74.8 percent of respondents saying the state’s economy is headed in the right direction and 72.5 percent expressing confidence in the national economy, the strongest level reported since 2020. The report, based on data collected in January 2026 by Applied Analysis, highlights a year marked by easing workforce pressures, persistent cost challenges, and increased use of new technologies to strengthen operations.
“This year’s report shows a clear increase in confidence among Nevada’s small businesses, with strong sentiment about both the state and national economies,” said Terry Shirey, President and CEO of Nevada State Bank. “Respondents also rated Nevada’s business climate highly, with two‑thirds describing it as excellent or good and nine in ten recommending the state as a place to do business. Even as owners manage higher costs and uncertainty, these results reflect the strength of Nevada’s overall economic environment.”
NSB’s annual Small Business Survey gathers feedback from more than 500 randomly selected small business decision makers, including owners, operators, and executives from across Nevada, representing a diverse cross‑section of the state’s business community.
Key findings from this year’s survey include:
- Optimism reached a five‑year high, with 72.5 percent of respondents saying the national economy is heading in the right direction.
- Nevada’s economy received even stronger marks, with 74.8 percent saying it is moving in the right direction and reporting the highest levels of revenue, profitability, sales, and workforce growth since 2020.
- Economic uncertainty emerged as the top challenge for the first time in survey history.
- Inflation was cited as the most significant operational concern, with more than half of businesses (53.3 percent) raising prices in the past year to manage rising costs.
- AI adoption continues to accelerate, with a majority (51.8 percent) already using AI tools and another 35.5 percent planning to adopt them within the next year. Among current AI users, 60.4 percent reported significant improvements in performance.
- Workforce pressures eased, with nearly two‑thirds (62.3 percent) saying it is easy to find quality candidates, a more than 15‑point improvement from last year.
- Nevada’s business climate continues to earn strong ratings, with two‑thirds (66.5 percent) describing it as excellent or good and nine in ten (90.3 percent) recommending the state to other businesses.
“Nevada’s small businesses aren’t just surviving—they’re innovating,” said Megan Comfort, Executive Vice President and Director of Business Banking at Nevada State Bank. “With strong optimism heading into 2026 and two out of three businesses already leveraging AI to strengthen their operations, we’re seeing a community that’s ready to grow despite the headwinds of rising costs and workforce challenges. A solid banking relationship plays a crucial role in that journey, giving business owners the support and resources they need to make smart moves in a fast‑changing market.”
“Local businesses focus on the fundamentals of their own operations. In Southern Nevada, population growth, continued tourism strength, and steady job creation are supporting business activity,” said Hayim Mizrachi, CEO and Principal of MDL Group, a Nevada‑based commercial real estate firm. “Nevada will continue to grow, and businesses will grow with it in great communities with endless things to do.”
Nevada State Bank partners annually with Applied Analysis to conduct the statewide survey. The study examines economic conditions, business performance, workforce trends, technology adoption, community engagement, financial outlook, and overall sentiment among Nevada’s small business community.
The 2026 Nevada State Bank Small Business Survey Report will be released publicly on April 2. To preregister for a digital copy or access previous reports, visit nsbank.com/survey.
About Nevada State Bank (@nevadastatebank)
Nevada State Bank is a full-service bank offering a complete range of consumer, private, and business banking services, as well as wealth management services, with a robust statewide branch network. Nevada State Bank’s colleagues regularly volunteer in their communities and have been dedicated to helping make Nevada a better place to live for more than 65 years. Zions Bancorporation, N.A. is included in the S&P 400 MidCap and NASDAQ Financial 100 indices (NASDAQ: ZION).
For more information on Nevada State Bank, visit www.nsbank.com.
A division of Zions Bancorporation, N.A. Member FDIC.