Hiring Outlook for Small Businesses Ticks Up – FOX Business

A survey from Wells Fargo and Gallup Small Business finds that small business owners are more optimistic about hiring than they have been in four years. Nearly a quarter of American entrepreneurs expect to hire in the next year, though 8% reported they will cut jobs in 2012. Finding workers with the necessary skills, however, is difficult; 21% said it is "very" difficult to find skilled workers. The report also found employers would prefer to hire temporary or contract workers over full-time employees.

Audit Clears State Department in Keystone Pipeline Review – FOX News

The State Department’s internal watchdog cleared the agency of accusations that proponents of the Keystone XL pipeline improperly influenced employees. In a report released Thursday, the department’s inspector general said it found no impropriety in its review of the pipeline project that President Obama rejected a few weeks ago. The investigation came after opponents of the pipeline alleged that TransCanada had an inappropriately close relationship with some State Department employees. The report “found no evidence that communications between department officials, TransCanada, the Canadian government, proponents, and opponents of Keystone XL deviated from the department’s obligations under federal law.”

White House Backs $109B Senate Transportation Bill – The Hill

The White House is backing the Senate’s $109 billion surface transportation bill, making no mention of the recently proposed House transportation bill in its statement Thursday. Both proposals are much smaller than Obama’s original call for spending of $556 billion on transportation projects over six years. The Senate and House made it clear that they were unlikely to approve such a large spending bill, spurring each chamber to develop a plan to fix issues with surface transportation and highway safety programs. The House passed its bill yesterday, while the Senate is likely to hold a final vote as early as next week.

Small Businesses Make Communities Healthier, Study Says – Huffington Post

A new study shows that small businesses contribute to healthier communities in the United States. Researchers studied 3,060 counties and parishes, looking specifically at population, health, business, and housing data to understand the effects that business environments have within communities. The study found counties with a greater proportion of small businesses (less than four employees) showed lower rates of mortality, obesity, and diabetes. "What stands out about this research is that we often think of the economic benefits and job growth that small business generates, but we don't think of the social benefits to small communities," Troy Blanchard, Ph.D., lead author and associate professor of sociology at LSU, said in a statement.

Economy Toughest on Young Adults, Study Finds – Newsday

The Pew Research Center released findings about the effects the recession has had on the lives and attitudes of American young adults, ages 18 to 34. The report found young adults are having the toughest time of any age group in this economic downturn, which is shaping their decisions on careers, education and starting a family. Almost 50% have taken a job they did not want because of pressing financial needs and about a third have delayed plans to get married or have a child.

In other news…

How Do New Lead Laws Affect Your Bottom Line? – OPEN Forum

Japanese Entrepreneurs Aim for Silicon Valley – ABC News

Michigan Business Tax Eliminated, Shift to Flat Tax Causing Mixed Emotions – Central Michigan Life

Greece Sets Austerity Plan – The Wall Street Journal

Unemployment Claims Fall, at Nearly a 4-Year Low – USA Today

FBI File: Steve Jobs Was Considered for US Post – The Economic Times

Where the U.S. Solar Industry Is Shining – Businessweek

Facebook Woos Investors With an Eye for Start-Ups – The Wall Street Journal

Google-Motorola Deal Likely But Scrutiny to Last – POLITICO

Study Shows Increase of Work Visa Denials in U.S. – USA Today