The National Federation of Independent Business' Small Business Optimism Index rose 1.8 points in April to a post-recession high of 95.2. The economy continues to perform modestly and April’s index followed suit as it crossed the 95 marker for the first time since 2007. Seven Index components improved, one was unchanged and two fell. State-specific data isn’t available, but Gregg Thompson, state director of NFIB/North Carolina, said small-business owners across the state remain frustrated by the slow pace of recovery. “Our members are feeling more upbeat than they were this time a year ago, but we're still not where we want to be or where we ought be,” he said. NFIB is North Carolina's leading small-business association with over 8,000 dues-paying members representing a cross section of the state's economy.