The increase in visitors to the area in the last decade has led to a consistent shortage of seasonal workers in part due to the lack of sufficient seasonal housing. As a result, the Council initiated a project to better understand the scope of seasonal workforce housing needs and opportunities to mitigate this challenge in gateway communities.
SBGC is exploring a Benzie visitors center hybrid facility, offering a National Park Service presence and information on how to access other public and private attractions, could help disperse visitors among the region’s natural and cultural amenities, to the benefit of local residents, as well as businesses and visitors.
SBGC continues to create opportunities for National Lakeshore officials to engage directly with local officials, business leaders and other stakeholders. This sharing of ideas will allow communities to plan for visitation levels at or above the current numbers, while also leading to initiatives to sustain the resources of our communities for the decades ahead.