Atlas Van Lines' 43rd annual Corporate Relocation Survey released today reports that 20 percent of businesses surveyed expect relocations to increase in 2010, an increase from last year when more than half predicted decreases.

"These survey results are a possible early sign of a recovery for the relocation industry, and they indicate that companies are finding ways to contain costs while retaining employee incentives," said Jack Griffin, Atlas president and COO. "But the best news is that firms are predicting a brighter future both for themselves and the overall economy."

Eighty-two percent of companies have a formal relocation policy. Sixty-six percent of businesses offer employees relocation incentives, including bonuses and temporary housing benefits. Forty-five percent even help an employee's spouse find work after relocation. Employees are also more willing to relocate than in 2009.

More than 50 percent of companies named economic conditions the top relocation influence, while 31 percent said they were hindered by lack of qualified people locally. The Midwest was the top transfer destination, followed by the South and the Northeast.