The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce feels entrepreneurs are losing confidence in the local economy.
The chamber partnered with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to release a study called the Ontario Economic Report.
Haliburton Highlands Chamber President Richard Wannan says the confidence of business owners in the economy was at 47 per cent in 2012, and the number is 23 per cent today.
He says the chamber’s members are telling him that increased hydro costs as well as an approximately 20 per cent bump in the minimum wage is creating challenges for the county’s businesses.
The study also says that 77 per cent of Ontario businesses say the lack of access to skilled workers is their biggest concern.
Wannan says the stats in the provincial report echo that of Haliburton County.