The competition to attract employees is fierce and communities that have the attributes that appeal to young professionals will prevail.
“We’re interested in philanthropy. We either grew up in BG or adopted it as home. We all have diverse backgrounds but we share a common care about our community, our voice, and about our impact.”
Over the last several years, a movement to attract and retain professionals to our city has emerged. Recent collaborative efforts between The Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce and BGSU have demonstrated an emphasis on the value of the young adult demographic. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, for every two workers of the Baby Boomer age demographic preparing to retire in the coming years, only one person is available to take their place.
The competition to attract employees is fierce and communities that have the attributes that appealing to young professionals will prevail. Those termed “young professionals” (YPs) are individuals born after 1964. Members include the “Generation X” born between 1965 – 1980, and “Millennia’s” born after 1981. While there are differences between the two generations, both generations were mostly born into two income families and have both grown up in the modern technical era. Each group is willing to rally around social causes including environmental & social equality.
Today’s professionals prefer working as a group to solve problems. They question everything and believe you first find a place to live, and seek employment. The “cool” communities to provide career opportunities along with rich cultural heritage will be the frontrunners to attract this illusive next generation.
Business author Rebecca Ryan identifies seven community attributes that attract these professionals.
1 • Vitality
How “well” is the community? What is the local commitment to clean air, water and green space?
2 • Earning
The index of employment options. Young talent wants a deep well of employment opportunities as well as communities that are friendly to start-ups.
3 • Learning
Education, continuing education, and re-education in both traditional and non-traditional channels. Today’s YPs are lifelong learners.
4 • Social Capital
This index tallies a community’s commitment to diverse social, professional and political areas throughout.
5 • Cost of Lifestyle
Notice we didn’t say cost of living. This generation assesses not only fixed costs (housing, food, transportation) but considers other variables i.e. local taxes as contribution factors in deciding where to live.
6 • After-Hours
Places to go, things to see and do. Again this generation remains on the go and steadfast to the motto: “There’s more to life than work.”
7 • Around Town
This index describes accessibility or physical connectedness of a community. In other words, how easy is it to get around town?
The Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce targets modern professionals needs.
ACT BG is taking the lead. This newly formed organizational committee was created with specific intent to develop networking opportunities, social events and community service options for this next generation.
Business “best practices” involving the social and environmental well-being as well as the economic well-being of a community will be best served. Additionally, companies that are actively engaged in the community and offer volunteer contributive opportunities for their employees will find attracting and retaining employees a much smoother endeavor.
Day or night, this city is alive with activity. Bowling Green has been widely recognized as a great place to live, work, and to raise a family. Our educational choices, affordable housing, safe neighborhoods, and close proximity to larger cities make the City of BG’s attractiveness clear. Those characteristics along with our artistic handprint and multiple leisure options all impart a “metropolitan” feel to the BG community.
The term “young professional” is not really applicable because we are less defined by our age and vocation and more by our shared interests. The group goals are pretty simple: serve as a resource and promote the great things that BG already has to offer. Yes, we can throw a great party, but we’d like this group to be more like a movement – to celebrate what our community is and to make it the place we want it to be.
The interest and response generated by this group has been tremendous. If you’re not already plugged in, we hope that you do so soon and bring your own ideas and energy to ACT BG.
