Navigation Team Meeting Recap: Population Growth & Talent Attraction

The latest Max Loves Midland Navigation Team meeting centered on the crucial topic of Population Growth & Talent Attraction, bringing together voices from the community to engage in meaningful dialogue. The event featured key speakers including Ron French from The Bridge, Ken Horn from the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance, Jason Story from the Midland Business Alliance, and Kevin LaDuke from the Midland Area Community Foundation and Max Loves Midland.

Goals and Objectives

Sharon Mortensen welcomed attendees, setting the stage for the day’s discussions on Population Growth and Talent Attraction. Each table introduced themselves, sharing their insights on Midland County’s efforts to develop, attract, and retain talent.

Lou Mencia reviewed the group’s goals and objectives, emphasizing the collective impact model. This approach involves working together intentionally and sharing information to tackle complex problems. The Navigation Team is tasked with educating, advocating, participating, and informing the community about these efforts.

Insights from Kevin LaDuke

Kevin LaDuke highlighted the importance of emotional infrastructure and economic vitality in connecting the community. He shared a story from the previous meeting recap, where a third-generation Midlander felt disconnected and unimportant, and we took the time to connect with them, which they appreciated greatly. It illustrated the power of direct connections and community engagement. He stressed the need for a welcoming and inclusive environment to combat the nationwide competition for talent. Kevin also mentioned the upcoming launch of a Max Loves Midland podcast in July, which will feature long-form conversations with community members, emphasizing the human aspect of Midland’s biggest asset—its people.

Statewide Population Trends by Ron French

Ron French from The Bridge provided a sobering overview of Michigan’s population trends. He noted that Michigan ranks 49th in population growth in the nation, with more deaths and fewer births contributing to this decline. By 2050, 30% of the population will be over 65, which will have significant economic impacts. Ron suggested various strategies to make communities more appealing, such as increasing housing stock, making cities more walkable, and reforming Michigan’s education system.

Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance’s 40K for 2040 Initiative

Ken Horn introduced the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance’s ambitious “40K for 2040” initiative, aiming to grow the region’s population by 40,000 by 2040. He outlined the three pillars of their strategy: Inspire, Foster, and Build. The goal is to nurture entrepreneurial spirit, support lifelong education, and create welcoming communities. Ken highlighted the importance of regional cooperation, stressing that improvements must be made across the entire Great Lakes Bay Region to attract and retain people effectively.

Midland Business Alliance’s RAD Talent Committee

Jason Story from the Midland Business Alliance discussed the RAD (Retention, Attraction, and Development) Talent Committee’s efforts. He emphasized that today’s workforce values non-work-related aspects of life, such as activities and purpose. The committee’s first priority is to clearly express Midland’s value proposition through a virtual and printed booklet distributed to educators, employers, recruiters, and job seekers. Jason encouraged attendees to think about what drives people away from Midland and what can be done to attract new residents.

Community Engagement Opportunities

Sharon Mortensen closed the meeting by discussing various community engagement opportunities, including the “Meeting-in-a-Box” initiative and online surveys. Participants were encouraged to interact with and share Max Loves Midland resources to further community involvement.

Next Meeting

The next Max Loves Midland Navigation Team meeting is scheduled for Friday, August 16, 2024, from 9-11 am at the Griswold Communication Building, Northwood University. Everyone is welcome to join us! Please send a note to hello@maxlovesmidland.com if you’d like to be added to the meeting notices.

This meeting highlighted the collaborative efforts and innovative strategies being developed to address population growth and talent attraction in Midland County. By focusing on the community’s human aspect and fostering inclusive environments, Max Loves Midland aims to transform Midland’s vision of being an inclusive community where everyone thrives into a reality.