More than half of the families in Huron County earn less that what is considered a living wage.
At the launch of the Living Wage Report, prepared by the Perth-Huron United Way's Social Research and Planning Council, Ryan Erb explained a living wage in Huron would be $16.75 an hour for a 37.5 hour work week.
The council calculated that for a family of four, including two young children, they would have to make about $60,000 a year. More than half of the families in Huron County fall short of that target.
Erb acknowledges there are challenges for employers in raising pay levels. But he also points out employers tell them there are benefits to the employers in reduced absenteeism, less turn over and more productivity if employees are making a living wage.
Erb says for employers that can't increase wages immediately, there are other things they can do to help, like offering flexible hours for employees with more than one job.
He also explains that when more money is put into the hands of people that need it, they spend it on the things they need, and that's good for the entire community's economy.