Door County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Michelle Lawrie says bringing new people in is not the only challenge facing area employers — keeping them around is also an issue. Online job boards show approximately 3,200 jobs available in Door County, whether it is a CNC machinist at a local manufacturer, a server at an area restaurant, or a health care professional at the hospital.

Lawrie says DCEDC has focused heavily on employee attraction and retention since the pandemic, and the issue is not going away as retirements continue and businesses look to grow. The upcoming Talent Attraction and Retention Employer Forum is for businesses of all sizes and will showcase tools at the local, state and regional levels designed to help employers attract, engage and retain their workforce.

Lawrie says it is not just about getting new people to come and work at a business, but also getting them to become part of the county as a whole.

She adds that the forum will serve as a launch point for new resources DCEDC will offer employers to help recruit and retain their next longtime employees. You can register for the Talent Attraction and Retention Employer Forum on Sept. 22 at Stone Harbor Resort in Sturgeon Bay at this link.