Networks Northwest today announced the publication of the Northwest Michigan Hybrid and Remote Worker Study, a comprehensive analysis of the region's remote workforce, supported by funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). 
 
The study, based on an online survey with nearly 800 respondents, focus groups, and national data, provides crucial insights into the preferences, demographics, and challenges of hybrid and remote workers across the ten-county northwest lower Michigan region. 
 
The study was supported via partnerships with Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, Traverse Connect, Alliance for Economic Success, Manistee Chamber of Commerce, and 20Fathoms. These economic development organizations will use the findings from the study to target their talent attraction efforts, support local businesses with talent retention, and offer networking opportunities for the remote workforce living in our region.
 
The study confirms a continuing trend of teleworking (a term used interchangeably with “remote” and “hybrid” work) in the region. An estimated 23.32% of workers in Northwest Michigan teleworked at some level in 2024. This is part of a broader national and regional movement toward more people teleworking, though often for fewer hours per week, with hybrid work becoming the most common form. 
 
“Our region - though continuing to feel the strain of national labor shortages - is successfully attracting a larger working age population,” says Payton Heins, President and CEO of study partner Northern Lakes Economic Alliance. “Employers offering flexible work options, as highlighted in this study, are a key driver, enabling the workforce to balance family needs while embracing the region's unmatched outdoor and community amenities.” 
 
In addition to data and demographics, the study also makes several recommendations for stakeholders, including encouraging employers to offer hybrid work options and organizations to offer meetups and co-working spaces. 

The full report is available on the Networks Northwest website at www.nwm.org/remotework