Last March marked the fifth month of surging optimism levels, but that may come to an end, according to the The Small Business Optimism Index report released by the The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).

Optimism increased significantly after the election of President Donald Trump, according to the NFIB survey of its members. The report said the high optimism it found in the survey is reflected in recent economic activity.

In November 2016, small business optimism surged over 10 percent by the end of the year. Since then, small business optimism has maintained above average optimism rates.

“The prospective impact of expected policy changes was translated into very positive views of economic activity,” the NFIB said in the November 2016, small business optimism report.

Media manager for NFIB, Kelly Klass said promises of less regulation, health care reform and tax reform by during the election are potential reasons small business optimism remains above the historical average of 98.

“Small business owners have struggled immensely under Obamacare.” she said.

In March, earning trends, employment increase and plans for capital outlays increased. These indications along with historically high optimism rates project a healthy economy, NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg said in the report.

“By historical standards, this is an excellent performance,” Dunkelberg said. “We expect job creation to pick up in future months.”

However, optimism itself, decreased by an approximate one percent since the beginning of the year. In February, optimism dropped about 0.6 points from January. Then fell an additional 0.6 points in March.

Klass, said political factors may be responsible for the decrease in optimism among small business owners.

“Optimism isn’t going to translate and sustain unless lawmakers actually act on their policy promises,”  she said. However, she adds “that was a huge surge right after the election and we still have historically high numbers.”

The data for March was primarily gathered prior to the failed attempt to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

The failed health care reform “could dampen the optimism,” Klass said.

She said the cost of health insurance has been the number one concern for over 30 years in small business owners and that “less regulation, health care reform, tax reform all things that are priorities for small business owners” will likely play a role on whether or not optimism rates remain high.

Communications director, Erica Fetherston from local economic outreach nonprofit, Local First Arizona, said many small businesses in Arizona appear to be optimistic.

“We’ve seen a trend of more and more people really looking to local businesses,” she said influencing optimism among Arizona small business owners.

She credits high optimism to increased growth, Fetherston said.

In 2015, Arizona businesses had a growth rate of 7.1 percent, higher than the national average of 6.6 percent, according to a 2016 Independent Business Survey.

Growth and increase revenue are a main reason small businesses in Arizona are optimistic, she said. Politics, such as health care reform has not been a significant influence on optimism for small businesses in the organization, she said

“Many (small businesses) are actually exempt (from providing health care) due to their size and revenue,” Fetherston said. “I think the majority of our members are more focused on local issues.”