Rad Talents aims to attract, acquire, equip, develop, retain, and sustain a diverse and skilled workforce to address the current and future needs of our employer community and promote the growth of Midland County's population.

The Talent Continuum: Building a Thriving Midland Community

The Talent Continuum is a strategic framework developed by the Midland Business Alliance, to guide the growth and retention of talent within Midland County. Approved by the Community Success Panel, this model is designed to create a sustainable, engaging, and thriving community for individuals and businesses alike.

The Seven Pillars of the Talent Continuum

Attract: Showcase opportunities and culture.
Acquire: Connect talent to roles.
Integrate: Foster belonging and connections.
Equip: Provide tools for success.
Develop: Invest in personal growth.
Retain: Create supportive environments.
Sustain: Plan for lasting success.

Why the Talent Continuum Matters

This model serves as a blueprint for creating "community stickiness"—a sense of engagement and connection that encourages people to build their lives and careers in Midland. Greater involvement both in and out of work fosters a thriving, inclusive community that appeals to new talent and supports existing residents.

Through the Talent Continuum, the Midland Business Alliance is committed to building a strong, resilient, and welcoming community where individuals and businesses can succeed together.

Understanding the Talent Continuum: A Conversation About Building Community

You may look at this model and wonder how the various components interconnect or how they apply to your role in the community. To provide insight into the Talent Continuum, Jason Story sat down with Kevin LaDuke of Max Loves Midland to discuss the model holistically and highlight how every community member plays an essential role in making Midland a truly special place to call home.

Together, they explored the importance of each pillar in creating a thriving, inclusive environment and emphasized how small actions by individuals and businesses contribute to the larger vision for Midland's future.

Discover how you can be part of this exciting journey and help shape the community we all love.

It Starts with You

Let’s look at the facts: we are on the brink of the largest exodus in the modern workforce. As seasoned professionals retire, and young people graduate, many of them leave for opportunities elsewhere. But this doesn’t have to be Midland’s story. As community members, each one of us holds the power to make an impact and shape the future of our community.

Employers in every field can take steps to attract and retain talent. Local businesses can focus on mentorship, offering meaningful career growth opportunities to young professionals. Schools and educational institutions can foster connections with local businesses, ensuring graduates see a clear path to success right here in Midland. Nonprofits can offer meaningful ways to integrate new residents into the community by connecting them with causes that matter. Small businesses can focus on building a workplace culture that feels inclusive, rewarding, and flexible.

Every interaction matters. Whether you’re a CEO, a teacher, or a barista at the local coffee shop, how you welcome, engage, and support those around you contributes to making Midland a place where people want to stay. It’s about building connections, recognizing potential, and offering opportunities to grow.

It starts with you. Together, we can create a Midland that is not only a great place to work but a great place to call home. Let’s take action today to ensure the community we build is one where talent chooses to thrive.

Going Pro Talent Fund

The Going PRO Talent Fund (Talent Fund) makes awards to employers to assist in training, developing and retaining current and newly hired employees. Training funded by the Talent Fund must be short-term and fill a demonstrated talent need experienced by the employer. Training must lead to a credential for a skill that is transferable and recognized by industry.

Going PRO ensures Michigan’s employers have access to the talent they need to compete and grow, and individuals have the skills they need for in-demand jobs.

Michigan New Jobs Training Program

MNJTP is an incentive program for businesses allowing tax dollars normally paid to the State of Michigan in payroll withholding tax, instead to be diverted to pay for employee training.

A "new job" means a full-time job in the state of Michigan that meets all of the following:

A new, existing or expanding business employer.
Are not jobs of a recalled worker, replacement job or other jobs that existed in the employer’s business within the one-year period preceding the date of the agreement.
Is not a job from another location of employer in State of Michigan.
Are new jobs that result in a net increase in employment in Michigan for the employer.
Are new jobs that pay at least 175% of minimum wage at the time of the agreement.

The MBA is Here to Help

Contact Jason if you need help with these aspects:

Implementing the Talent Continuum: Learn how to apply the Talent Continuum framework to your own workforce to enhance talent attraction, retention, and development strategies.
Workforce Development: Discover ways to strengthen workforce skills and foster growth within your organization, leveraging insights and resources tailored to your needs.
Customized Training Opportunities: Explore training programs and strategies designed to equip your team with the tools they need to succeed, aligned with the Talent Continuum principles.

Have questions or want to get involved? Email Jason Story at jstory@mbami.org