THREATS

The region has a lot to offer in terms of quality of life, affordability, and a slower lifestyle in a rural community for those interested in moving out of more urbanized communities. However, there is a decline in the region’s population which is concerning. Without a way to attract people to move to the area, the region will struggle to bring in more development projects including housing and business expansion. To prevent and attempt to reverse the trend, communities need to invest in quality of life amenities and assets such as trails, local or regional events, and a variety of shops and restaurants for people to visit. Rural communities have many features that contribute to the overall quality of life offerings for people and visitors, but improvements can and should still be a focus if they will enhance, beautify, and increase the appeal of the community.

The workforce and businesses are suffering since the start of the pandemic. Before the pandemic, some businesses were struggling to stay open due to a lack of employees. While many small local businesses survived by decreasing their hours of operations and reducing the number of employees they had, staff shortages have been and continue to be a threat to the overall health of businesses across the region. If jobs are not provided for those seeking employment in specific sectors or do not pay well, it will be hard to attract employees. This is particularly harmful to the healthcare industry, but as the region recovers, jobs in retail and the food industries will continue to struggle without proper staff to support the business needs. Diverse and higher-paying job opportunities need to be present within the region to help keep the market healthy and attract new residents. As previously mentioned, the lack of affordable childcare options for the region is a massive threat, especially for young families or those with young children who are not in school. The region is a great place for families to raise children, and with few options for care and entertainment currently present, families looking for more space may choose to live elsewhere if there are very few youth activities and entertainment options for them. The region has a great school system which is an immediate draw for families looking to move, but communities must invest in additional amenities for children and teenagers.