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.
