LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) - La Crosse area businesses learned how to fill a growing demand for workers with an untapped resource.

The Seven Rivers Alliance hosted a Workforce Summit Wednesday morning. The 5 hour learning session focused on employing groups often overlooked during the hiring process: former criminals, veterans, and the disabled.

"When the unemployment rate is as low as it is everyone is looking for workers, and there are folks that fall into these categories that are looking for work and could be the answer to these companies' needs,” said 7 Rivers Alliance CEO Chris Hardie.

Wednesday's Workforce Summit was held after a study found the La Crosse area would be about 15,000 workers short in the next 10 years.