Despite challenges such as staff shortages, rising costs, and geopolitical uncertainties, many entrepreneurs are positive. This is evident from research conducted by the Province of South Holland and the Economic Board of South Holland, carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers. The research provides a current picture of South Holland businesses and how they experience the economic situation in the region.

In the 2025 survey, over 130 executives from South Holland businesses participated, of which 10 also took part in an additional in-depth interview. The companies were selected by the Economic Board of South Holland and are generally companies that invest heavily in research and science. They shared their expectations and ideas about growth, innovation, and collaboration in the region.

Challenges

Many companies see opportunities for economic growth, but also clear challenges. There is a persistent gap between what companies are looking for and what job seekers can offer. Many companies find it difficult to find qualified personnel, especially those with vocational diplomas. Rising costs, grid congestion, housing shortages, and international tensions also put pressure on businesses. Entrepreneurs are calling for clear and predictable policies so that they can invest in the energy transition. Some medium-sized companies experience that applying for subsidies takes a lot of time, preventing them from utilizing them.

Femke Brenninkmeijer, chair of the Economic Board of South Holland: “Stable and reliable policies are crucial for businesses. The availability of sufficiently skilled personnel is also a recurring theme. Therefore, we advocate for retaining and attracting sufficient international and regional talent.”

Adaptability

Nevertheless, optimism about growth expectations prevails. Innovative companies see new opportunities in significant changes. Consider the energy transition, digitization, and innovation. Companies are already doing a lot in cybersecurity and see AI as an opportunity to improve their processes. Larger companies are already investing in sustainability and digital solutions. Smaller companies sometimes face obstacles, such as finding financing or subsidies.

Strong Region

The connection with the region is strong. Entrepreneurs appreciate the presence of talent, the quality of infrastructure, and the attractive living environment. At the same time, they call for further investments in accessibility, a good business climate, and collaboration between education, government, and business. Larger companies often encounter uncertainties in policy and regulation.

Meindert Stolk, Deputy for Economy and Innovation: “The outcome of the research is a positive signal for the South Holland economy. Despite concerning signals about the investment climate and gloomy developments in the industry, there are fortunately also positive reports. For example, it is nice to see that most companies have grown significantly over the past 5 years. They also look forward with confidence for the coming years. However, bottlenecks such as grid congestion and nitrogen must be addressed promptly. We are at a critical turning point, and together we must ensure that we choose the right direction.”

Joint Approach

The Province of South Holland and the Economic Board of South Holland want to work together with businesses, knowledge institutions, and social organizations to address the main opportunities and bottlenecks from the research. The insights will be included in the Growth Agenda South Holland and the acceleration plan, which aims for a strong, innovative, and sustainable economy in the region.

The full report can be found on the website of the Economic Board of South Holland. (opens in a new window)