Mitchell Area Development Corporation (MADC) yesterday hosted an informational meeting regarding bringing legal immigrant workers to Mitchell. A presentation was given by Mark “Smoky” Heuston of Huron and Kennedy Access Group representatives at Mitchell Career Technical Education Academy. Heuston has worked closely with Kennedy Access in bringing legal immigrant workers to South Dakota.
Dr. Karen Whitney, Regional Workforce Coordinator, says that between 2016 and 2021, the Mitchell labor force participation rate decreased from 71.9% to 69.8%. Over the next five years, an increase of 526 jobs will grow the demand for workers. Economic modeling predicts our retirement rate is above the national average, with an expected 7,567 retiring in the next five to ten years. With only 4,129 in the millennial population (ages 25-39), Mitchell is facing a severe worker shortage. The hope is that legal immigrant workers can help ease that shortage.