“Simply put, it’s time to be concerned.”

Call to action co-author Matt McCauley, CEO of Networks Northwest, published an op-ed in the Traverse City Record Eagle in April 2019 titled “Let’s seek people with skill and grit.” After reviewing the 2019 United Way ALICE report, Matt sounded the alarm bells, explaining:

Despite strong economic growth and very low unemployment rates, wages have not kept pace with rising costs. Between 2010 and 2017, the basic cost of household expenses increased by 27 percent for a family of four. During that same time frame, wages only grew by 14 percent in the state and 13 percent in the region.

Matt goes on to argue that economic development in both his community and the rest of Michigan need a new talent strategy to complement a business attraction strategy. You can read the complete op-ed here.