Current editions of two monthly local print publications - The Roanoker and City Magazine - both have two articles each that specifically address retaining and attracting young adults in the region. Kudos to the authors, editors and publishers for these pieces.
Norma Lugar’s column "The Tyranny of the Minority" and Tom Brock’s comments in "If I Ran the Valley" are found in The Roanoker, and in City Magazine, James Sawyer’s piece "Roanoke is more than a cheap date for older folks" and Gene Marrano’s article "What Now for Downtown" all brought even more awareness and exposure to the young adult initiative so many are now recognizing and beginning to understand.
Now that the media exposure is prominent and there is awareness of the issue, action must follow from all parties involved.
As we have said the biggest impediment to attracting and retaining young adults is not a lack of jobs and things to do, but a lack of effective communication and promotion of things to do and jobs available. Generations are using completely different communication channels and therefore the young and the old are just not connecting.
A perfect example is the aforementioned articles. When you go to each of the sites, these four articles I mentioned are not currently posted, therefore, the content in each cannot be distributed effectively to the readers of this blog or as links to email lists. As a result, you will have to go pick up a copy of each yourself or wait a month until the issue is archived on the site.
We must use available technology to better communicate to all generations and close this gap for the future benefit of the region.
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If people wanted communication, then they would do it - right?
I have a feeling that no matter what, unless someone steps forward with enough backing to put together a new newspaper, radio station, or TV station that actually acts local - ie. updates the local events and any changes (like EventZone changing the venue for tonight) and places them prominently up front for all to see - then no matter what, communication will still be lacking.
Anyone can copy those articles you mentioned, and post them online (with proper attribution and permission) - but they do not. It's not solely communication, it's also the level of engagement and involvement desired. And quite frankly, few people desire it I guess.
Where are all these young professionals from these groups when it comes time for the Neighborhood meetings?
I guess those are beyond the desired level of involvement.
Maybe we should start giving out Merit Badges, give them something to show off and they might attend.
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Have you reconsidered participating in the Valley Forward event?
Please help me out Keith... I appreciate who you are..
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Here's an easy example of the above: In major cities, organized religions are seeing a decline in numbers - mostly from the young. They keep reaching out, through missions - events - and all manner of things. Yet there has been no real increase in the number of youth involved in churches.
Sometimes you can make every effort possible - but until the people you target realize it's worthwhile to get involved - they are not going to.
Solution: Do it for yourself and those involved - if you think it's a good idea then do it. And at each step along the way you might pick up a few more people.
Oh - and another thing. ALL major cities have multiple print news sources. And always one targeted towards the younger crowd. And it is normally staffed and organized by young people.
City Magazine is nice, if your a visitor or retiree, but it rarely has anything for the younger crowd in it.
Of course, our definitions of younger crowd do tend to differ at times.
Regardless, I'm of the "actions speak louder than words" school. Forgive my blunt-headedness.
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Sure, the area is a Mecca of sorts for outdoor enthusiasts, but ambitious young adults hoping to climb the ladder have limited opportunities in Roanoke. If you want to attract and retain young adults, you have to first bring some vitality and economic growth to the region. Right now it's a more enticing offer to live in Blacksburg than Roanoke. I say this from someone who loved living in the area -- for awhile, but left because I felt like I was living in a slowly decaying town.
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Roanoke is doing right by the research park by the river, and I heard rumor of a huge business park near the intersection of 581 and 81, but I have not heard anything else from that. These small business incubators can grow massive companies, so there should be great attention paid to these industrial parks.
Is Roanoke trying to recruit large companies to the city? Why not get developers to build a new tower downtown (15-20 stories) to offer Class-A office space downtown. Start courting overseas firms that want to invest in the U.S. and see if you can land some North American headquarters (such as Lynchburg and Areva). These are some steps that could offer people the chance to advance careers without leaving Roanoke.
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Thanks,
JS
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