Young & Restless: Policy Implications?

Joseph Cotright of Impressa Consulting has recently released a new study of employment and education patterns in the US Economy sponsored by CEOs for Cities. The study identifies one segment of the US workforce--namely, 25-34-yr olds, mostly single college-educated women--as one the most dynamic and critical segments of US workforce. Contright calls them "The Young and The Restless". These are individuals that are more educated but also most likely to be mobile. They are people who'd put, atleast on the margin, choice of place ahead of the choice of career. They represent talent, and talent not companies is the new game in economic development, maintains Cotright. The Young and the Restless prefer denser, more urban living and cities would be well-advised to make their centers more attractive to this group of people. Cotright believes that there are policy implications for this impending shift in US demographic trends. Economic developers must make people the focus of their efforts. Higher education centers as well as vibrant urban neighborhoods serve as good attractors for these people. The complete study may be accessed at CEOs for Cities website [Click]