Northern Michigan businesses are still experiencing a shortage of employees even with the area’s growing workforce. That and more was revealed in a recent economic report for Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet and Cheboygan counties.
The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) is the author of the impact report. Payton Heins, the president and CEO of the NLEA says for the next few years the organization is prioritizing helping businesses expand, creating more workforce housing and attracting talent to the northwestern part of the lower peninsula.
“Housing is the number one barrier for many companies being able to retain and attract talent,” Heins said.
To remedy this, the NLEA collaborated with business owners and launched a down payment assistance program in late 2025, Heins said.
According the the impact report, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority provided the NLEA with $490,000 in matching funds for the project. Heins says that money will be used to match any amount of money that an employer puts towards their employee’s down payment.
“Launching that down payment assistance program is going to allow them to better retain existing employees and attract new employees who are often encountering that issue of being able to afford a home in our area,” Heins said.
According to the NLEA’s fall economic pulse report in 2025, 2,322 for-rent units and 6,477 for-sale units are needed to meet the region’s housing demands.
The report highlighted six housing projects that are underway for Petoskey and Bellaire.
Heins says those new developments are intended to create attainable and affordable housing for residents in the area’s median income bracket.
According to data from the impact report, the NLEA assisted 85 businesses, helped with 76 community projects and held 18 training and events.
Heins says one-on-one help for businesses ensures smoother expansion processes.
“Economic growth doesn’t happen in isolation,” Heins said. “This report reflects what we can accomplish together when we invest in Northern Michigan’s future.”
