Optimism among small business owners is at the lowest point in the six-year history of the OPEN from American Express Small Business Monitor.

BUSINESS EDITORS:@ Here are Canadian Press Business budget lines as of 10 p.m. EST. Plans may change as circumstances warrant. To contact Canadian Press Business by e-mail, send messages to business(at)thecanadianpress.com.

Having been in business for 30 years and survived many consumer-spending slowdowns, Lloyd Lippman isn't cutting staff at his retail executive-search firm. He has been adding account executives and plans to hire two or three more by year-end.

A few weeks ago, CNBC recognized Texas as “America’s Top State for Business,” citing our abundance of natural resources, diverse population and geography to create a “dynamic economy.”

BUSINESS EDITORS:@ Here are Canadian Press Business staffing plans as of 4:15 p.m. ET. Plans may change as circumstances warrant. Queries should be addressed to business editor John Valorzi at 416-507-2146 or Romina Maurino on the business desk at 416-507