The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance will expand efforts to address workforce shortages in Charlevoix County after receiving a $12,000 grant from the Charlevoix County Community Foundation.
The funding, awarded through the foundation’s Community Priorities 2026 grant cycle, will support a targeted initiative aimed at attracting and retaining workers while helping local employers navigate barriers tied to housing and childcare, according to a community announcement.
“We are grateful to the Charlevoix County Community Foundation for investing in solutions that will help employers, strengthen communities and create opportunities for residents throughout Charlevoix County,” said Wes Sovis, director of strategic partnerships for the NLEA, in the announcement.
Survey highlights housing and childcare barriers
The initiative follows findings from the NLEA’s Spring 2026 Economic Pulse Survey, which identified workforce challenges affecting regional businesses.
Sixty-seven percent of business leaders surveyed said staffing shortages are the most significant obstacle to growth. Fifty-six percent cited a lack of attainable housing, while 36% identified access to childcare as a challenge.
Sovis said those barriers are already impacting hiring decisions.
“Employers continuously tell us that job candidates are having to turn down opportunities because they can’t find housing and childcare,” Sovis said. “We must eliminate these and other barriers to keep and attract more families and talent in our region.”
Initiative targets long-term workforce stability
NLEA plans to use the grant to expand programming in several areas, including employer convening, workforce pipeline development, talent attraction marketing and technical assistance for businesses.
While the initiative focuses on employers, organizers said it is also designed to support broader community stability and economic growth across the county.
Demographic shifts intensify workforce challenges
Workforce shortages in the region are compounded by demographic changes.
From 2010 to 2023, the four-county NLEA region lost nearly 14% of its prime working-age population, while the number of residents age 60 and older increased by more than 10%, according to the announcement.
In Charlevoix County, the share of residents ages 25 to 54 has declined over the past two decades, creating added pressure for employers seeking year-round workers.
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This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: NLEA to target housing, childcare barriers to hiring in Charlevoix County
Reporting by Dave DeMille, Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dave DeMille, Petoskey News-Review | USA TODAY Network
