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Columbia Talent Magnet Project seeks to make city a talent magnet for 'creative class'

Submitted by: John Warner on Oct 14, 2008 at 8:31 am Tagged with: economic development\, talent Source: EngenuitySC

Talent matters, maybe more than ever before. In the new economy, cities and regions will be the new drivers of economic activity for our world. Like never before, the "power of place" is the key, and companies go to where the talent is.

Our ability to attract and retain young, highly educated, and engaged workers will be one of the major drivers for economic growth in Columbia. From a plethora of restaurants, nightlife, and green spaces to a depth and breadth of job opportunities, affordable housing and a safe environment...these are the issues that affect our ability to attract and retain the best.

But Columbia is currently a net exporter of talent, with graduates and young professionals leaving our community for places such as Atlanta, Charlotte, and points farther out because of the perceived opportunities in those markets.

We have an opportunity to change that. Every year the Columbia region graduates more than 9,000 students from its institutions of higher education.. .that is 9,000 potential targets to recruit, retain, and absorb into our city's social, civic, and business infrastructure. This represents the single largest opportunity for transforming the "drain" into a "gain."

The Columbia Talent Magnet Project was created to find ways to appeal to and keep today's "Creative Class" in Columbia.

Please take a few minutes to participate in the Columbia Talent Magnet Project survey. We are taking the "pulse" of our community to identify Columbia's perceived strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. What's right, what's wrong, and what opportunities do we have as a region to grow and prosper? Your responses will form the foundation for dialogue at a Talent Magnet Summit in late 2008.

We appreciate your participation in our study. Please click HERE to begin the survey.