TRAVERSE CITY — Six years into its strategic plan, implemented in 2020, Traverse Connect says Northern Michigan is making strides in attracting and retaining working-age adults in the region.
President and CEO Warren Call says the area has reversed a decline in the working-age population that occurred between 2010 and 2019. Educational attainment has also improved, with more residents earning associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and other certificates.
“We’ve seen some significant progress over the last five-plus years,” Call said. “Educational attainment has increased, and we’ve seen growth in the core working‑age population.”
Call credits the success to better storytelling about Northern Michigan’s economy, which offers year-round jobs across technology, advanced manufacturing, professional services, and more.
Strong partnerships with local groups, including 20Fathoms and Networks Northwest, have also played a key role in supporting early-stage businesses and tracking hybrid and remote worker trends.
As the region approaches the 2030 goals set in the 2019 strategic plan, Call says Traverse Connect is on track to exceed many targets while already planning for the next phase of growth.
“Exceeding these goals is a testament to the hard work and collaboration across our community,” Call said. “It also gives us an opportunity to think about what’s next and set even more ambitious goals for the future.”
For more information on Traverse Connect, visit traverseconnect.com.