We have all heard of the labor shortages and the challenges our businesses are facing because of it. But, what is the solution? As the County Economic Development Director and the representative for the regional economic development partners to the State/WEDC, I hear of many different ideas or efforts to address the shortages, whether it is far northern Wisconsin or urban Milwaukee or Madison. Last week I heard of a new effort towards “talent attraction.” Talent Attraction is a common buzz word now. However, tis my nature to break things down to more elementary levels and develop a plan to address the challenge.
Currently we have businesses that are attracting new workers from outside the State who want to live and work here in Grant County. Their challenge, as well as ours, is lack of housing. I have said this many times. Trying to do workforce recruitment is important. We are seeing people wanting to move to our county, but housing is a bottleneck. Cuba City recently designated a new housing development, and the lots are selling quickly. Potosi has a similar story with lots selling and houses starting to be built. Every single community in my county wants more housing. We are just trying to catch up to the existing demand. Combine that with the potential impact of higher interest rates slowing the housing market and an even bigger challenge of finding contractors with time and capacity to build new or more housing. The construction contractors I speak with are looking at 2024 now for new projects. Housing lots are being sold but when will the housing be built? Word was received last week of around 40 Ukraine refugees wanting to locate in Grant County. Where would we put them? We are addressing the housing shortage, but it is a slow process.
So, if we want to attract talent, where do we put them? My surveys show we need all housing types – worker housing, single family, duplex, apartment; retirement apartments; housing for low/moderate income; housing for upper income residents.
Tied into all of this, what will our future look like here, even as we build the housing? Our demographic profiles and population trends show an aging population with fewer 0–18-year-olds, or school-age children, which means the potential for fewer workers in our county. If we are to change the demographic downturn that our K-12 schools are all facing, we not only need more housing, but we need to attract new families and more young people. From what I see, that will mean attracting a more diverse population, Grant County is currently 94.5% white (non-Hispanic) population. To change the declining workforce trends, we need LatinX populations, we need minority populations, this may include refugee families like the Ukrainians. Several communities are working to address their image to Hispanic or LatinX populations. They are working to be more inviting to a more diverse population. It is working in Darlington. So, we can think about talent attraction, but we need the housing, not only for those already here but those who will want to come to our county as well.
Ron Brisbois
Executive Director
Grant County Economic Development Corporation
