Otter Tail County convened nearly 100 employers, educators, service providers, and community leaders for a countywide Workforce Summit and Poverty Simulation on Thursday, December 11, at Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State). The events provided an opportunity to have honest conversations about today’s workforce realities and showcased practical, local solutions to strengthen Otter Tail County’s workforce.

The Workforce Summit featured panel discussions and presentations that focused on the lived experiences of working families, including housing and food insecurity, child care challenges, transportation barriers, and skills gaps that can interfere with stable employment. Speakers represented employers, workforce development partners, nonprofit organizations, and the Otter Tail County Community Development Agency (CDA), alongside guest presenters from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and M State.
 

Sessions emphasized moving beyond awareness to action. They highlighted employer partnerships, resource navigation, and innovative solutions such as onsite child care, second-chance hiring practices, customized training programs, and evolving transportation services.

M State President Carrie Brimhall shared, “We know that we can’t do our work alone, and we’re grateful for the partnerships we have with our communities, elected officials, Chambers of Commerce, and counties. Part of what makes those partnerships special is opportunities like the Workforce Summit to give and get feedback on our workforce development efforts in authentic ways.”

Otter Tail County Commissioner Kurt Mortenson emphasized the broader strategy behind the event, saying, “The County’s OTC Works workforce strategy is about promoting workforce resources, helping employers recruit and retain workers, and building partnerships to address workforce needs. The Workforce Summit brought partners together to identify their role in solutions like investing in employee training, reducing barriers to employment, and creating workplaces where people feel supported and valued.”

The Workforce Summit was an excellent event to connect and activate workforce partners to explore innovative solutions. Presentations were recorded and can be viewed on Otter Tail County’s YouTube page. More information about the OTC Works strategy and Otter Tail County workforce efforts is available at ottertailcounty.gov/otc-works.