The Intuit Small Business Employment Index for the South West Central region is currently 7 percentage points higher than it was in January 2007, and declined only 2.5 percentage points to its low in November 2009.

FORBES: Small Business Employment Hasn't Been Hit Hard Everywhere

According to the survey, the economy by far remains issue No. 1 with Americans, with 47 percent saying it is the most important issue facing the country today -- up 7 points from last month.

CNN: Americans split on Obama's first year, poll finds

It found two telling data points: one is that more women received raises than men, 7.4 percent to 6.2 percent.

FORBES: Mythbuster: Women Do Ask for Higher Pay