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RALEIGH – Business leaders from across North Carolina say they are cautiously optimistic about the economic outlook for the state.

The N.C. Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting Wednesday. Leaders say the focus for the next year is creating new jobs for the state.

“I think people are optimistic, I think we are realistic,” incoming N.C. Chamber Chair and AT&T North Carolina President Cynthia Marshall said.

This group of business leaders from across the state has a clear mission: take advantage of the improving economy to create new jobs for the state.

“We need to create 500,000 to 1 million new jobs in this decade to keep North Carolina moving forward,” says Chamber President Lew Ebert.

Ebert says one of the most effective ways to bring jobs to the state is by passing policies and laws that will attract businesses.

“When you have an environment that is certain and predictable, they will invest money, they'll borrow money and they will create jobs,” Ebert said.

One business thriving in North Carolina is the Wurth Group. This company is based in Switzerland, but houses its North America headquarters in Charlotte. Its CEO says North Carolina has all the qualities big businesses look for, from quality of life to a business-friendly climate.

“I travel to Europe every eight weeks,” say Robert Stolz. “I have direct flight service out of Charlotte straight to Europe. How easy is that?”

But Stolz says it is still a tough decision for a company to expand in the current economy. He says that's not because things aren't improving, but because the improvement is in bits and pieces.

“One good month, maybe one tough month, another good month,” says Stolz. “So I might describe it as two steps forward, one step back.”

This uncertain improvement is not unique to North Carolina. Jason Jennings, a nationally known business expert, says he hears similar stories to North Carolina's wherever he goes.

“The things I am hearing from businesses all across the country are the same,” says Jennings. “The sputtering economic growth, the outrage with Washington, and fear what may happen and what may not happen.”