# Building stronger communities through workforce and talent development Findem publishes a public search API over its indexed pages; the guide is at https://www.findem.ai/lazyweb/agent-access. Source: https://www.findem.ai/blog/building-stronger-communities-workforce-development Source observed: 2026-11-11T21:15:34.944Z Last checked: 2026-11-13T04:07:36.074+00:00 Indexed: 2026-11-11T21:27:09+00:00 --- --- title: "Workforce Development for Stronger Communities | Findem" description: "Learn how leaders in Flint, Northwest Arkansas, and Toledo use data, employer partnerships, and technology to support workforce development and regional growth." url: "https://www.findem.ai/blog/building-stronger-communities-workforce-development" --- # Building stronger communities through workforce and talent development ← Back to blog Elan Keshen Director of Product Marketing, Funds and Networks September 25, 2025 Your community’s talent story starts with opportunity. [See regional talent](https://www.findem.ai/solutions/regional-talent) [Request a demo](https://www.findem.ai/request-demo) On this page The future of workforce development is at the heart of economic growth, and chambers of commerce and economic development organizations (EDOs) are playing a central role in shaping it. In a webinar hosted by Getro, leaders from across the U.S. shared how they are tackling the challenges of connecting people to jobs, navigating talent shortages, and using data and technology to build stronger communities. The panel featured: - **Brianna Mosier**, Flint & Genesee Group - **Justin Stewart**, Northwest Arkansas Council - **Jeff Schaaf**, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce Moderated by Laura Marks, Senior Customer Success Manager at Getro. ## Facing today’s workforce challenges All three leaders emphasized the urgent challenge of aligning available jobs with the right talent. “We are a traditional manufacturing town,” said **Jeff Schaaf**. “But with our location at the intersection of major highways, we’ve seen a huge growth in transportation and logistics. The biggest challenge is finding people with the right skills to fill those jobs, without poaching talent from other local employers.” For **Brianna Mosier**, the issue is layered: “On the surface, we have employers who are really eager to hire. But because of our stagnant population growth and low unemployment, the people just aren’t there.” She added that degree mismatches are a barrier: _“What you major in matters. Too often we see students pursuing degrees that don’t connect with the opportunities in our region.”_ **Justin Stewart** echoed these concerns, highlighting the rise of “noise” in the job market: _“There’s a lot of uncertainty. Sometimes job postings online aren’t even real. That’s why having a trusted, curated job network is so valuable for job seekers.”_ ## The power of data Each region is leaning heavily on **data** to guide decisions and build credibility. “At Flint & Genesee, data drives everything we do,” said Mosier. “We launched _Forward Together Genesee_ to set measurable goals for job growth, education, livability, and equity. If benchmarks aren’t being met, we stop and ask why.” Similarly, Schaaf noted that [data-informed strategies](https://www.findem.ai/blog/talent-market-intelligence-and-workforce-flow-analytics) helped his chamber identify four focus areas: transportation and logistics, healthcare, manufacturing, and corporate back office. _“Many of the programs we’ve created with partners came out of that talent alignment study. The data gave us a roadmap, but validation from employers ensures it matches what’s really happening on the ground.”_ ## Trends defining the next 3–5 years When asked about trends shaping the future, the panelists pointed to three themes. - **Industry-led partnerships**: “When employers come together to address skills gaps, career pathways, and workforce challenges collectively, we see real results,” said Schaaf. - **Shifting education models**: Stewart emphasized the importance of apprenticeships and STEM programs. _“It’s not just about four-year degrees anymore. Skilled trades and on-the-job training are key to preparing people for future work.”_ - **Global talent dynamics**: Mosier warned that changes to visa programs could deeply impact regions like Michigan. _“In the last 20 years, all of our population growth has come from immigration. If access to global talent is restricted, it’s a major threat.”_ ## The role of AI and technology AI is both a disruptor and a tool for opportunity. “For us, it hasn’t changed the mission but it has accelerated the work,” said Mosier. She shared how automation through CRM tools and AI-driven job boards helps her small team extend their reach. Schaaf added that his chamber is exploring how to make data discoverable by AI: _“We want to make sure our websites, career pathways, and resources are structured so that when people ask AI tools about jobs in Toledo, they get accurate answers.”_ ## Key takeaways The conversation underscored that while challenges differ from region to region, the solutions share a common thread: **partnership, data, and trust.** - Partnerships between employers, chambers, and education providers are unlocking innovative solutions. - Data provides a roadmap for where to focus and a benchmark for accountability. - Trust, built through chambers of commerce and curated talent networks, ensures communities can cut through the “noise” of today’s job market. As **Justin Stewart** reflected, _“It’s humbling to know we’re not alone in this fight. We’re all facing similar hurdles, and now that our networks have expanded, it’s great to know others are just an email away.”_ ✨ **Final Thought:** Workforce development isn’t just about jobs. It’s about strengthening communities. By combining data-driven strategy, employer partnerships, and trusted networks, EDOs and chambers of commerce are shaping the future of [regional talent attraction and retention](https://www.findem.ai/solutions/regional-talent). Findem turns workforce development into a measurable program with an AI job board, a searchable talent network, and people intelligence built for your region. ## Recommended next reads November 10, 2026 ### [AI hiring laws in 2027: What Colorado, Connecticut, and California require](https://www.findem.ai/blog/ai-hiring-laws-2027) Austin Belisle November 7, 2026 ### [LinkedIn Boolean search for recruiters: Operators, strings and examples](https://www.findem.ai/blog/linkedin-boolean-search) Austin Belisle November 6, 2026 ### [What VC and PE talent leaders are rethinking about portfolio hiring in 2027](https://www.findem.ai/blog/portfolio-hiring-vc-pe-talent-leaders) Manish Nageet --- [Read this page’s summary](https://www.findem.ai/lazyweb/api/public/v1/page-tldr?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.findem.ai%2Fblog%2Fbuilding-stronger-communities-workforce-development&trace=t_9544b0955d7a) ## Ask a follow-up about this page Need a more specific answer? Ask the exact question you have. 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