The Wired65 Region has enviable quality of life attributes to build upon in its quest to attract, retain, and engage the next generation. These assets include an affordable cost of living, a growing metro hub, and a college and university system that can import and keep talent in the region.
We must …
With approximately 62 percent of the region's population under the age of 44, retention strategies are key to sustaining growth.
They want better paying jobs and careers, public transportation, and cultural connections and engagement.
We need a robust system to connect college graduates to careers locally. Nearly 50 percent of internship students accept permanent positions with their internship employers.
Get those who moved away to move back. Close proximity to family and friends is the number one reason they consider moving back, followed by the affordability of the region. The perception that there is a lack of well-paying professional opportunities is what's keeping them away.