The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live — and especially the way we work. The last two and a half years have redefined what essential work means for many and made the lines between work and home blurrier than ever for others. But as more people both head back to the office and pilot new remote work arrangements, we are far from finished figuring out how to navigate shifts in the workplace. With technological advancements like digitization, artificial intelligence and automation on the horizon, the workforce is set to evolve even more dramatically in the coming years.

With this in mind, the National League of Cities set forth to investigate the state of work in America’s cities, towns and villages today, and to explore the key drivers that will shape how the workplace changes over the next 10 years. How city leaders choose to respond to those drivers will have enormous impacts on residents in communities everywhere.

Knowing this, many are already exploring the ways they can adapt and stay on the cutting edge of workforce trends to ensure that their communities remain relevant and inclusive for years to come. We hope this report will help give local leaders insight into the strategies that are working well so far, the challenges they should expect to face and the opportunities they can take advantage of. Equipped with that knowledge, city leaders can chart a vision that takes both the changing nature of work and the context of their communities into account.

The future of our local economies is in the hands of today’s city leaders. By preparing for tomorrow’s workplaces now, we can use technological changes to our advantage and ensure cities remain places of opportunity for everyone.