Region Still Struggling with Worker Shortages Across Industries

Employers in Grand Traverse region have plenty of open positions, but can't find enough qualified candidates to fill them

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:25pm

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A minimalist studio still life featuring a neatly arranged composition of polished metal tools and office supplies, representing the abstract concepts of workforce, productivity, and corporate strategy in the face of labor shortages.As the Grand Traverse region grapples with a persistent worker shortage, employers are forced to get creative with tools and technology to maintain productivity.Traverse City Today

The Grand Traverse region is experiencing a worker shortage across many industries, from manufacturing and retail to healthcare and professional services. Employers have plenty of open positions but are struggling to find qualified candidates, especially those with reliable 'soft skills' like punctuality and communication. Factors like the 'silver tsunami' of retirees, lack of affordable housing, and a shortage of childcare options are exacerbating the problem, forcing some employers to turn to automation and flexible work arrangements to fill the gaps.

Why it matters

The worker shortage is impacting productivity and profits for many businesses in the region, hampering economic growth. It's a complex issue driven by demographic shifts, cost-of-living challenges, and a mismatch between employer needs and available talent. Addressing these systemic problems will be crucial for the region to maintain its economic vitality.

The details

Employers across the Grand Traverse region are struggling to fill open positions, from manufacturing and retail to healthcare and professional services. Tim Healy, CEO of Century LLC and chairman of the Grand Traverse Area Manufacturing Council, says he could add $1 million in work tomorrow if he could fully staff a second shift. Rob Dickinson, regional director of business services at Northwest Michigan Works!, says the job market is stable but the region simply 'doesn't have the people' to fill all the current and expected openings. Factors like the 'silver tsunami' of retirees, lack of affordable housing, and shortage of childcare options are exacerbating the problem, forcing some employers to turn to automation and flexible work arrangements.

  • The region is expected to see 2.4% job growth over the next several years, tied for the best in the state.
  • Munson Healthcare had an average of 630 job openings last year, down to 500 this year, showing some hiring progress.

The players

Tim Healy

CEO of Century LLC and chairman of the Grand Traverse Area Manufacturing Council.

Rob Dickinson

Regional director of business services at Northwest Michigan Works!, which helps job seekers and employers connect.

Karen Roofe

Owner of My Secret Stash and I'm Planty AF boutique shops in downtown Traverse City, and president of the Downtown Traverse City Association.

Jim DeMarsh

Area manager for Mission Restaurant Group, which operates North Peak, Jolly Pumpkin, Mission Table and other restaurants.

Megan Brown

Chief marketing and communications officer at Munson Healthcare, one of the region's largest employers.

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What they’re saying

“I guarantee you I could add a million dollars of work tomorrow if I could fully man a second shift. It's a real issue.”

— Tim Healy, CEO of Century LLC and chairman of the Grand Traverse Area Manufacturing Council

“The number one thing that we hear from employers every single day, day after day, is that they need people with soft skills. Reliability, communication skills, problem-solving ability. It has been such a massive ask from employers. They say 'We'll train them [with the necessary job skills], we just want somebody that is on time and is dependable.'”

— Rob Dickinson, Regional director of business services at Northwest Michigan Works!

“There was a time when if you were a college student and you wanted to get a summer job, you could come to Traverse City and find a place for the summer and could work in retail or restaurants. And because of the housing situation here, that has all but dried up. So unless they live with their family, we're not seeing those kids come through.”

— Karen Roofe, Owner of My Secret Stash and I'm Planty AF, and president of the Downtown Traverse City Association

“I think my comment a few years ago was that I'm just going to check the pulse, and if their heart's beating, I guess I'm going to have to give it a try. It's getting a little bit better, but not nearly as much as I would like it to so I can be more selective on who I can hire; to take one person that I feel is more skilled than the other.”

— Jim DeMarsh, Area manager for Mission Restaurant Group

“Last year we averaged about 630 job openings, and now we are down to 500. This is still a significant number of openings, but we are making hiring progress across our region.”

— Megan Brown, Chief marketing and communications officer at Munson Healthcare

What’s next

Munson Healthcare and other employers in the region will continue working to attract and retain talent, especially in high-demand fields like nursing and healthcare. Addressing systemic issues like housing affordability and childcare access will also be crucial to expanding the local workforce.

The takeaway

The worker shortage in the Grand Traverse region is a complex, multifaceted challenge that is impacting businesses across industries. Addressing the root causes, from demographic shifts to cost-of-living pressures, will require a collaborative, community-wide effort to ensure the region can maintain its economic vitality.