HispanicBusiness

More than half of the businesses in the state's most populous counties increased sales in 2012, according to a survey by First Business Financial Services.

More than 40% of all businesses surveyed also projected increased profitability in 2013, said the survey, which was conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison's A.C. Nielsen Center for Marketing Research.

Businesses in the 18 counties of northeastern Wisconsin performed slightly better in sales revenue, profitability, employment and wages than their peers in Dane, Milwaukee and Waukesha counties, the survey found.

"Manufacturing continues to show steady growth, and we're starting to see growth in the technology sector," said Mickey Noone, president of First Business Bank-Northeast. Businesses in that area also expect the positive growth trends to continue, Noone added.

The survey was sent to more than 17,000 state businesses that reported having five or more employees.