Just down the street from Dane Manufacturing where former President Donald Trump spoke in Waunakee, delivering his thoughts on the current state of the economy, a local business owner is mulling who to support in the upcoming election.

Kevin McDaniel owns IT Strategies Group, a business he founded in 2012. He, one employee and several subcontractors offer IT services to companies who outgrow their ability to do it themselves.

“Companies are really tightening their belts,” he said.

At the same time, his own costs are increasing. He cited labor and rent as the primary drivers of his growing expenses.

Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC), the state’s chamber of commerce, said many of their members are dealing with higher operating costs.

“We survey our members twice per year. The most recent one was about a month and a half ago,” WMC President and CEO Kurt Bauer said. “The number one concern from our members is inflation. The cost of doing business has gone up dramatically.”

Click here to read more from WKOW and watch the interview.