Experts projected a sobering 2006 economic forcast for Massachusetts yesterday as the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce presented the findings of the 2006 Economic Outlook survey yesterday.

“The 2006 economic outlook is not as bright as one year ago,” said Joe Campanelli, Sovereign Bancorp vice chairman.

The survey address the concerns of both the consumer and the business on both the state and national level, with a majority of consumers citing employment, cost of living and healthcare as problematic issues.

Following a poll of consumers in the Greater Boston area, Chamber officials found that most agree with Campanelli’s projection.

Only six percent of the consumers polled anticipated a stronger U.S. economy in 2006 than in 2005, while 67 percent said they believe the U.S. economy’s greatest threat is rising energy prices, followed by the war in Iraq and the growing budget deficit.

“Massachusetts faces tremendous economic uncertainty, but as a whole we have a great future,” said Massachusetts Attorney General Tom Reilly at the event. “The people of Massachusetts are worried about the future. People ask themselves, will I have a job? Will I have affordable health insurance?”

Many surveyed consumers said they agree with Reilly, with 75 percent saying the cost of living is the biggest challenge in 2006, followed by the cost of healthcare and employment opportunities.

“One key challenge is to bring more moderate housing to Boston,” Campanelli said.

Campanelli also stressed the importance of providing housing for the educated workforce that drives Boston’s economy, adding that affordable housing is in shortage.

“We need to play our strengths,” Reilly said.

Overall, consumers who were surveyed said that Boston’s greatest strengths are the schools and colleges in the region, along with the overall quality of life.

“There is reason for optimism,” said Wyc Grousbeck, managing partner and governor of the Boston Celtics.

From a business perspective, 57 percent of business owners predict slow growth for 2006.

The owners, like consumers, said they believe Boston’s strengths are the institutions of higher learning and the quality of the educated workforce.

Business owners will also face the same challenges as consumers as the cost of living and healthcare are the two biggest obstacles facing corporations in 2006.

Another difficulty business owners cited was inflation, with 70 percent of businesses predicting inflation to increase a moderate amount in 2006.

Marian Heard, president and chief executive officer for Oxen Hill Partners, said that in the non-profit sector, many Bostonians are active donors to different charities across the city.

Heard cited the generosity of Boston citizens following disasters like the tsunami in Southeast Asia and Hurricane Katrina.

Paul Guzzi, Chamber President, emphasized that the major challenges affecting both consumers and businesses need to be addressed by the community as a whole.

“We can deal with the challenges ahead, but we need to work as a team ,” he said.

Guzzi also encouraged Massachusetts residents to be more welcoming to companies with different business perspectives.