Economic development officer Camille Hoisington said employers are relying on staff that drive from an hour away to get to work.
"We need more attainable housing in proximity to Traverse City," Hoisington said. "So we're working with our partner Housing North, changes to MSHDA rules, and new programs - the My Neighborhood Program.”
The My Neighborhood Program is a $17 million dollar grant from the state for northern Michigan to build more housing units in the region.
Employers are also helping current and future employees with professional development by working with Northwestern Michigan College.
"It doesn't have to mean you go back to college and get a new degree, it could be getting a micro-credential from NMC in the evening or on the weekend," Hoisington said.
A majority of businesses that responded to the survey agreed that the region is improving as a place to be a business owner.
Traverse Connect attributes that to strong community support and collaboration between local organizations like the startup incubator 20Fathoms.
Hoisington said Traverse Connect continues to target outdoor recreation, "BlueTech" and freshwater innovation, financial services and life sciences are target areas for new business.
"That's looking at freshwater technologies and marine research," she said. "Things like marine mapping, hydrographic surveying, autonomous subsurface exploration and electric vessels. It's a natural fit for our region."
It also marked manufacturing as an important hub in Traverse City with 16% of of local employment going to that industry.
