NLEA was thrilled to recently host a roundtable with Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II and employers from across the region. The discussion focused on how our region’s housing shortage is preventing employers from meeting both seasonal and year-round workforce needs.
The roundtable brought together employers representing manufacturing, hospitality, the craft beverage industry, medical care, and agriculture alongside NLEA partners, Housing North and the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce to discuss the ongoing and unique challenges we face with seasonal and year-round housing.
NLEA President, Payton Heins, “Housing must remain a focus of economic development. It’s incredibly disheartening to hear from businesses poised for continued growth in our region that they’re being held back because we lack the units needed to house their workforce.”
Participants shared how seasonal and year-round housing shortages are a barrier to their growth; ways they have been investing in housing development; and the persistent barriers around lending, local zoning, and financing gaps. “We’re grateful to the Lt. Governor and MSHDA for meeting with us to discuss ongoing housing needs in our region,” continued Heins “It’s going to take bolder approaches and stronger collaborations across sectors and at all levels to address this challenge.”
