Aging Midland: How Midland is preparing for the rise of remote work

By Max Milne,Community News Editor for Midland Daily News

Shelley Park Cluff works remotely inside the Central Michigan University Research Corporation in Midland. Park Cluff owns NextHome Park Place Homes Group, which she operates out of CMURC Midland.

Smartphones, social media and artificial intelligence have transformed how we connect, work and live.

As services moved online, remote work surged—especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even after health restrictions lifted, many companies kept flexible work-from-anywhere policies in place.

Over the next 25 years, remote work is expected to grow even more, giving people greater freedom to live where they choose and stay connected online.

To remain a competitive community, Midland is employing strategies to attract and retain younger families and remote workers by investing in quality-of-life amenities, broadband access, affordable housing, and efforts that help newcomers feel connected.

So why would remote workers choose to live in Midland if they could work, and live, anywhere? 

To start, Midland County has already launched an effort to bring reliable internet access to every home.

Thanks to Midland County Administrator/Controller Bridgette Gransden, that work began even before the pandemic.

The Midland County Internet Connectivity Committee was formed in 2019 with a mission to provide high-speed internet access to all households, businesses and schools within the county. Founding committee member Gransden says affordable, high-quality broadband is critical to the entire community’s future. 

"Internet access is just like a utility now—it's no longer a luxury," Gransden said. "When you're talking about a younger population—and all they've ever known is remote work—internet connection is critical to their livelihood. And it's not just them; think about seniors—especially during COVID, because they were so susceptible, they needed access in order to do their doctor visits."

Before the committee was formed, Gransden had already spent about five years trying to address the lack of service as a resident in Larkin Township, where she dealt with little to no phone signal and few internet provider options. She also was worried about those who couldn’t afford the township's only available provider.

Lack of internet access, she said, prevented her neighbors from exploring remote jobs when transportation or other barriers made traditional employment difficult. The issue, she added, has broader implications for the entire community.

"Today, kids in Midland Public Schools are provided with a Chromebook (for their school work). That Chromebook is nothing better than a doorstop if they don't have internet access at home," Gransden said. "So, if I'm a single mom on a very limited income and I'm trying to make a decision about whether or not I put food on the table or pay for internet connectivity, either decision puts my child in an inequitable position."

The committee is awaiting word from internet service providers in Midland County that have applied for grant funding through Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD), a $42.5 billion program started during the Biden administration and meant to expand internet access across rural America. If awarded, the funding would help expand broadband services throughout Midland County.

Creating a new kind of work experience

In the meantime, workers are increasingly using coworking spaces like the Central Michigan University Research Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering professional, diverse coworking space. In addition to high-speed internet, it provides access to business and entrepreneurial resources.

A wall at the Central Michigan University Research Corporation location in Midland shows all the companies supported through the nonprofit.

"We’ve created an environment that supports this shift (in increased remote work) by offering high-speed connectivity, professional resources, and a sense of community that helps remote workers thrive," said CMURC President and CEO Erin Strang. "In Midland, we’re proud to be part of the infrastructure that allows people to stay engaged in their careers while enjoying everything this region has to offer.”

CMURC operates four centers across the Great Lakes Bay Region, including one in Midland on the third floor of an office building on Joe Mann Boulevard.

Anne Bridgewater, president and CEO of AIM Targeted Intelligence, who coworks at CMURC Midland, said the space allows her team to focus on business without the administrative burdens of a traditional office.

"Since COVID and the popularity of working remotely, several of our employees have not returned to the office," Bridgewater said. "However, for those who have—and for those who gather periodically to enjoy CMURC’s welcoming environment—there’s an appreciation for the chance to connect with other businesses, access a tidy, well-stocked kitchen and reserve professional meeting rooms for team gatherings or client visits."

Within the city of Midland, broadband infrastructure is stronger than in many parts of the county.

Midland City Manager Brad Kaye said fiber-optic internet service is being installed for private companies, enhancing both current and future operations.

"That will only further enhance and strengthen those companies, and potentially our future community," Kaye said. "The goal has always been to provide people in the city with options—if they happen to have a job that allows them to work from home, then we want to be able to have the infrastructure in place for them so that they can continue to live here in Midland."

Although most of the city is equipped with high-speed internet, some areas are still without access to higher-quality connections. Kaye believes that 95-98% of the city had the ability to be given access to high-speed services and said the goal is to provide those services to all available locations. 

Creating a community of choice for young families and older adults

Beyond just supporting current residents of all ages with improved internet infrastructure, investing in broadband and expanding service options could help attract new remote workers and their families to the region.

"There are a lot of discussions taking place about making Midland a community of choice for people to choose to live here if they wish to do so," Kaye said. "So, from a community perspective, we look at how we can offer things that would make people want to come here and to stay here—whether it's recreational or social opportunities, or the ability to offer a place for people to work from anywhere."

Jason Story is one such example. He moved to Midland from Washington, D.C. in 2018.

In 2023, he accepted a fully-remote job with World Central Kitchen. He has since become further involved in the local community and now serves as director of talent and small business initiatives at the Midland Business Alliance.

Now, with his own experience in mind, Story works to attract others to the area—often through RAD Talent, a strategic framework developed by the MBA to guide talent attraction and retention in Midland County.

When it comes to recruiting newcomers, Story said the first step is understanding who you want to attract.

"Whether it's live here, work here and play here, or live here, play here and work elsewhere, there’s a desire to have all three," Story said. "But that might be fighting an inevitable change.

"If the goal is just population gain, then it's clear that working here doesn't need to be part of that. But in terms of economic development, a person who lives here but works elsewhere is still contributing to the local economy."

Still, he emphasized that many communities overlook a critical next step after attracting new families: Helping new residents "plug in" to what interests them in Midland.

“Remote work is often isolated work,” Story said. “It’s easy to become a hermit. But that’s not what people want—and it’s not what builds a strong community.”

Kaye agreed, urging locals and newcomers alike to be curious about their community.

“If I could offer one suggestion to people in Midland, it’s this: get out and explore,” he said. “There’s probably more here than you realize. We hear it all the time—from new arrivals and from people who’ve lived here for decades. They’re still discovering everything Midland has to offer.”

By strengthening broadband access, fostering remote work opportunities, and creating a welcoming, connected community, Midland is laying the groundwork for a more resilient future.