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OrthoWorks and KEDCO outline workforce and housing initiatives as Project Slate proceeds
Summary
OrthoWorks and KEDCO gave updates on talent-pipeline programs, community amenities grants, attainable housing projects and regional promotion tied to growing industry activity including Project Slate.
Two local economic-development groups updated the council on workforce, community and housing initiatives amid rising industrial interest in the county.
Ryan Christner, executive director of OrthoWorks, reviewed programs to build the talent pipeline for orthopedic and advanced manufacturing jobs, including DiscoverME for eighth graders, an iExplorer virtual-reality outreach that gamifies hard-to-fill jobs, and several industry–high-school academies that place students into internships. Christner said OrthoWorks is working on attainable‑housing projects, a community‑amenities matching program (a $5 million pool to support small-community projects) and an Orthopedic Innovation Research Center.
Peggy Bridgel (introduced as Peggy) from KEDCO reported on business-retention and attraction work, noted KEDCO’s involvement in Project Slate outreach and said the organization is focusing on attainable housing projects and school-district coordination as the county plans for potential workforce growth. Bridgel said KEDCO and partners are pursuing a global entrepreneurship trade event to showcase the county’s assets and that several communities in the county have signed memoranda of understanding for attainable‑housing efforts.
Both presenters emphasized collaboration among local employers, education partners and foundations to build workforce pipelines and community amenities as the county prepares for new manufacturing activity. The presentations were informational; the council offered praise and no formal action was taken at the meeting.
