Challenge Overland Park, Kansas, is a strong hub for corporate and professional services located in the southwest quadrant of the Kansas City metropolitan statistical area. The second largest city in Kansas, Overland Park offers a lower cost of living relative to the nation’s coasts; high-quality education institutions; and access to […]
Challenge Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP) benefits from a high quality of life with an abundance of natural resources. Yet despite its many assets, the 15-county region has experienced a steady decline in population for more than four decades, a trend that is expected to continue for the next 20 years.
Challenge Located in picturesque southwestern Wisconsin, Sauk County’s rolling hills, pristine waterways, and thriving communities combine to create an appealing and vibrant region. Although the County may be best known as the home of the Wisconsin Dells—proudly named “The Waterpark Capital of the World!®”—the area boasts a range of economic
Challenge Between 2010 and 2015, the Fort Collins–Loveland economy expanded at a rapid pace, adding nearly 20,000 jobs. The local labor market did not keep pace, however, adding just 11,000 workers over the same period. This imbalance, coupled with low unemployment and high underemployment, left many employers unable to find
Challenge With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the labor market experienced a whirlwind of changes. Texas witnessed a record high unemployment rate, a higher rate of workers retiring due to health concerns, and some workers leaving the labor force altogether. To address these challenges and strengthen the regional talent
Challenge Fragmentation of services is a common challenge among state-level workforce development systems, often resulting in inconsistencies in service delivery and a lack of clarity in priorities and vision. Delaware’s publicly funded workforce system encompasses more than a dozen organizations including county- and state-level entities. While its three counties function
Challenge Employers in the El Paso area encountered difficulty finding talent to fill mission-critical positions in several of the region’s leading industries. As part of a business-led effort dedicated to driving economic growth, the Borderplex Alliance—in partnership with Workforce Solutions Borderplex, the Medical Center of the Americas Foundation, JP Morgan
Challenge Comprised of 26 counties spanning 26,000 miles, the Texas Panhandle and its workforce development service area covers a geography larger than 10 US states. The Region 16 Education Service Center (ESC) serves school districts within the Texas Panhandle. In October 2023, Region 16 ESC was awarded the Tri-Agency Grant
Challenge Situated along Florida’s Atlantic coast, the Northeast Florida region spans seven counties which are home to diverse communities, extensive outdoor amenities, and an appealing mix of rural and urban living. This region plays a pivotal role in the state’s economy. Its strategic location, with coastal access and major highway
Challenge Situated 20 miles north of Austin, the suburban community of Pflugerville, Texas, has a rich history of German roots and ample outdoor amenities. Pflugerville’s relative affordability and family-friendly atmosphere, combined with the regional expansion of manufacturing and technology, have led to massive growth; Pflugerville’s population size has surged in
