TRAVERSE CITY - The 7th annual Northern Michigan Policy Conference was held today at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. Business advocates from around the region get together to talk about solutions the greatest challenges our area faces. The event is hosted by the northern Michigan Chamber Alliance and the keynote speaker was Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
“We’re going to have a large focus on the things that we know matter most to northern Michigan, and that is getting our workforce stabilized,” explains Niki Devitt Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce President & CEO, “whether that be through housing opportunities, child care opportunities, business growth, skilled trades development.”
Governor Gretchen Whitmer touched on these topics during her speech and wanted the audience to know that education is a top priority.
“Well, you know what? We’ve got we’ve got a lot of work to do when it comes to making sure that we are connecting people with an education that prepares them for the world,” shares Governor Whitmer, “A lot of challenges historically in Michigan. But I think we’re making progress or focus on the things that are science based that will help us, address the needs and prepare young people and people of all ages, frankly, who need to upskill for opportunities. ...There’s a path to prosperity for everyone in Michigan. And we’re we’ve taken great strides to, you know, get rid of that financial barrier by making it tuition free for so many people.”
Governor Whitmer also talked about the housing shortage. She announced the Employer Assist Housing Fund which will invest in work-force housing. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority or MSHDA will divvy-up $10 million to businesses around northern Michigan that apply.
“When I’m, you know, traveling across the state, every community is different. And there’s not a one size fits all approach here, which is why we want to work with and invest and incentivize employers to partner with the state and perhaps bring in other organizations to build out housing that needs to the needs of the workforce and the people that call the region home.”
Niki Devitt Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce President & CEO explains the importance of bringing everyone together to have a conversation.
“It’s important for us to have everyone in the same room, because the only way that we get things done is through collaboration and understanding. It’s about action. It’s about making sure that people know they have to have a voice represented in the conversations, a seat at the table, if you will. So, the more that we look at the future of northern Michigan, the more we understand the importance of coming together.”