Small business owners are less confident about prospects, according to the Discover Small Business Watch January survey.  After rising to 72.8 for December, the Small Business Watch's confidence index fell to 71.4 in January.  17% of those surveyed see the economic conditions getting better, while 51% say conditions are worse for their businesses.  Other findings that stand out from the survey include:

-Only 19 percent of owners say they plan to increase spending on business development over the next six months, the lowest number for this category in the Watch’s 30-month history. Forty-six percent say they plan to reduce spending on business development and 30 percent are not making any changes.

-When asked whether they will have to raise money this year in order to keep their businesses running, 53 percent of small business owners say they will not, while 32 percent expect to need additional funds, and 15 percent were not sure.

-Eighty-five percent of small business owners say they do not offer health insurance to their employees, up significantly from 77 percent a year ago and 74 percent in January 2007. Among small business owners who do offer health insurance, 36 percent say they have considered discontinuing coverage because of high costs.