Census data comparing 1990 to 2000 shows that ninety percent of American cities lost knowledge workers, and only ten percent had a net in-migration. Its called Brain Drain and it seems like every community is talking about it. In fact, Johnstown’s demographics are rapidly changing and by 2025, the region will likely be a lot smaller, or a lot younger.
Why do some communities gain talent, but most lose? Can a region reverse the trend? What can the Johnstown region do to attract and keep talent? The Greater Johnstown/Cambria County Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with the Young Professionals of the Alleghenies to work with Rebecca Ryan and Next Generation Consulting to answer these questions.
Next Generation Consulting (NGC) has been at the front of this issue for ten years now and is the only company in the United States with a comprehensive proprietary system for evaluating a community based on what matters to young talent.
NGC has advised the talent and attraction efforts of dozens of U.S. cities and states including: Akron, OH; Canton, OH; Columbus, OH; the State of Iowa; the State of Vermont; Charlotte, NC; Nashville, TN; Birmingham, AL; Oswego County, NY; Rock Island-Moline, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Brevard County, FL; Louisville, KY, and Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Rebecca Ryan shares, “Since 1998 Next Generation Consulting has been studying young professionals, specifically 20-40 year olds. In that time, we’ve talked with over 30,000 young people who have shared their work and life preferences with us. And we are thrilled to be bringing what we have learned to Johnstown to assist regional leaders and young professionals in making the greater Johnstown area – a next generation region!”
This project is sponsored through the generous support of the Cambria County Alliance for Business and Industry, Greater Johnstown Regional Partnership, Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, Greater Johnstown/Cambria County Chamber of Commerce, Johnstown Area Regional Industries, and the Richland Township Supervisors.