Carroll County recaptures workforce one job at a time

For years, a significant portion of Carroll County workers has journeyed out of county to fill job vacancies throughout the region.

According to Laura Walls, executive director of the Carroll County Economic Development Corp., 35 percent of Carroll County’s workforce commutes out of county for work.

“That’s a vast portion of our workforce,” Walls said. “Tippecanoe County receives the majority of those employees.”

Statistics from 2014, the most recent available data, indicate 56 percent of out-of-county commuters work in Tippecanoe County. The other 44 percent find employment in White, Clinton, Howard and Cass counties.

Such a significant commuter base means losing dollars that could be spent inside the community. With a strong economy throughout the state and region, Carroll County is striving to recapture its workforce, shoring up its economy by offering options for residents to live, work and play without crossing county lines.