Navigation Team Meeting Recap: Housing, People, and Childcare Collabor-action Teams
The Max Loves Midland Navigation Team gathered on February 14, 2024, to discuss key community initiatives, called “Collabor-action Teams”, focused on housing, people attraction and retention, and childcare. The meeting featured presentations from community leaders and in-depth discussions on collaborative strategies to address these pressing issues.
Community Vision & Collective Impact
Sharon Mortensen and Kathy Snyder opened the meeting by welcoming attendees and reinforcing the importance of Max Loves Midland’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and thriving community. Through interactive discussions and a review of past themes, participants explored ways to drive meaningful change.
One powerful example of collective impact is the Midland County Internet Connectivity Committee, presented by Kristin Stehouwer and Helen Myers. This initiative has made significant strides in expanding broadband access, securing funding, and advocating for policy changes to ensure all Midland County residents have affordable and reliable internet service. Their work demonstrates how collaborative action leads to tangible improvements for the community.
Housing: Addressing Supply and Affordability
Sharon Mortensen and Jacob Kain highlighted the Housing Collabor-action Team’s role in tackling Midland’s housing challenges. With support from the Midland Business Alliance’s Housing Forward initiative and other local planning efforts, the team is focused on:
Zoning reform to allow for more diverse housing options.
A revolving loan fund to reduce housing development costs.
Employer-assisted housing programs to attract and retain workers.
Institutional land use projects, such as churches repurposing land for housing.
The City of Midland’s 2024 master plan prioritizes housing, recognizing shifts in population demographics, rising costs, and the need for modernized zoning policies. The team encourages community members to get involved in shaping these initiatives.
People: Attracting & Retaining Talent
Kristin Stehouwer and Jason Story led a discussion on talent attraction and retention, emphasizing the need to position Midland as both a community of choice and an employer of choice. Key strategies include:
Strengthening partnerships to enhance workforce development.
Showcasing Midland’s quality of life and economic opportunities.
Supporting full-family relocation services, including assistance for trailing spouses.
Implementing succession planning strategies to improve long-term workforce retention.
Engagement is the bridge between attracting new talent and ensuring they stay. The People Collabor-action Team is dedicated to building connections and fostering opportunities for residents to thrive.
Childcare: Overcoming Barriers to Access
Terri Johnson and Tony Stamas presented on the childcare crisis, outlining the financial and logistical barriers many families face. With childcare costs averaging $784 per month and early educators earning wages below the poverty line, the system is strained. The Childcare Collabor-action Team is working to:
Improve coordination between local childcare resources.
Advocate for innovative childcare models and funding solutions.
Raise awareness about the importance of early childhood education.
Develop a communications campaign to elevate the childcare profession.
Ensuring that families have access to high-quality childcare is essential for both workforce stability and child development. This team is actively seeking community support to drive policy changes and investment in sustainable childcare solutions.
Looking Ahead
The next Navigation Team meeting will take place on May 16, 2025, focusing on building community and having meaningful conversations across differences.
By working together through these Collabor-action Teams, Midland is taking actionable steps toward a stronger, more inclusive future.
View the slide deck from this meeting below.
Do you have a Midland County story you would like to tell that aligns with our vision?