A Road Map To A Talent-Powered Economy – Attracting the Best and Brightest to Columbia
June 30, 2009
COLUMBIA, SC – June 30, 2009 – The Columbia Talent Magnet Project is challenging the Columbia region to launch “a thousand initiatives” to help build a talent-powered economy in our region by focusing on engaging, attracting, and retaining young mobile knowledge workers.
To inspire the community to take action, the project’s partners have published a report outlining five key recommendations developed in concert with the Southern Growth Policies Board for building a talent-powered economy in the Columbia region:
- Create a Unified Vision
- Develop a Cadre of Young Leaders
- Connect Undergraduate and Young Professionals to the Community
- Enhance Communication Vehicles, Especially Those Targeted at Young People
- Foster an Entrepreneurial Environment and Spirit in the Community
“A Road Map To A Talent-Powered Economy: Attracting the Best and Brightest to Columbia,” a report by the Columbia Talent Magnet Project and the Southern Growth Policies Board, was released today.
The Columbia Talent Magnet Project partners include Navigating from good to Great and the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, EngenuitySC, New Carolina – S.C.’s Council on Competitiveness, COR – Columbia Opportunity Resource, and the Columbia Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau. The project is managed by EngenuitySC.
The report and recommendations grew out of an effort launched by the Columbia Talent Magnet Project and the Southern Growth Policies Board in 2008. The first phase of that initiative was a web-based survey in the fall of 2008 on the issue of attracting and retaining talent in the region. More than 1,000 people responded to that survey, the results of which were used as the basis for the first Columbia Talent Forum in November.
More than 130 invited guests ranging from area college students to business executives to government leaders gathered for the forum at Trustus Theatre to discuss the survey and brainstorm ways to attract and retain talent in Columbia.
The forum was facilitated by the Southern Growth Policies Board which drew its recommendations from that conversation.
As cities across the country struggle to attract the young talent they need to be competitive, the collaborative effort of Columbia has the potential to be a national model. It is wonderful to see so many organizations and people working together to improve their community,” said Ted Abernathy, executive director of the Southern Growth Policies Board.
On tap are several key projects the Columbia Talent Magnet team will be developing including a Midlands Young Professionals Organizations Alliance; a region-wide entrepreneurs network and a pilot regional internship program.
While the Columbia Talent Magnet team is developing its own projects, the report is an effort to catalyze action among many community groups to “launch a thousand initiatives.”
“We’re excited about the prospect of taking Columbia’s activities to the next level by harnessing the creative potential of our citizens and leaders from the civic, social, higher education, and business community. Community and economic development is a team sport and we need everyone to step up to plate…at every level,” said Greg Hilton, project manager for EngenuitySC.
The project’s partners are working to foster collaboration among universities, colleges, community leaders and the business community to create a dynamic interaction that will increase the participation of the next generation of individuals entering the workforce and the community.
A copy of the full report and the complete Columbia Talent Magnet survey results are available at www.columbiatalent.com.
For more information contact: Greg Hilton, 803.606.4400
