More than 40 percent of small- to mid-size businesses feel "optimistic" or "very optimistic" regarding their companies heading into 2012, even though 61 percent of those are having trouble in this economy and 50 percent are not meeting their 2011 business goals, according to a survey conducted by Zoomerang Online Surveys and Polls and GrowBiz Media.

The survey shows that while small- to mid-size businesses do not anticipate expansion for their 2012 business models, they do plan to offer resources to existing departments. In fact, only 19 percent of respondents say they are expecting to expand their businesses in 2012 and instead focus on internal growth. According to the survey results, 60 percent of SMBs plan to focus investments and staffing in the business development sector to offset challenges experienced in customer growth.

"Many small businesses are optimistic about 2012, despite the economic challenges they faced in 2011," says Alex Terry, general manager at Zoomerang Online Surveys and Polls. "According to the Small Business Association, (small- to mid-size businesses) employ about half of all private sector employees. It's gratifying to see (small- to mid-size businesses) owners' resilience and their willingness to invest in the future of their businesses."