Frey Foundation awards $10,000 to support talent attraction and retention in Charlevoix and Emmet counties
The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance has received a $10,000 grant from the Frey Foundation to fund its Regional Talent Attraction & Retention Initiative in Charlevoix and Emmet counties
What’s happening: The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance has received a $10,000 grant from the Frey Foundation to support the Regional Talent Attraction & Retention Initiative in Charlevoix and Emmet counties. The initiative helps local employers find, keep, and grow the workforce they need to thrive in northern Michigan.
The back story: In the alliance’s Spring 2026 Economic Pulse Report, 67 percent of regional business leaders named staffing as a top barrier to growth, and businesses estimated they could hire 321 additional workers and generate $68 million in new revenue within two years if the regional talent pool were stronger. The funding will be help bring Charlevoix and Emmet county employers together to implement proven talent strategies, strengthen career pipelines with local employers, and help businesses tackle the structural barriers that make hiring hard, including childcare and housing.
What they’re saying: “The people of northern Michigan are our region’s greatest asset and helping employers attract and retain talented workers is some of the most important work we do,” said Payton Heins, who is president and CEO of the Northern Lake Economic Alliance. “We’re grateful to the Frey Foundation for supporting our work in Charlevoix and Emmet counties and for sharing our belief that when local businesses can find the people they need, our whole community wins.”
About the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance: The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance is a nonprofit economic development organization serving Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, and Emmet counties. The organization drives economic resiliency in Northern Michigan by ensuring the resources, infrastructure, and policies exist to fuel business growth and community prosperity. In 2025, NLEA delivered 179 projects and assists across the region and secured $10.4 million in state and federal funds to close financing gaps for local projects.
Information: thenlea.com.
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