Attracting & Retaining Young Adults

 
Since 1990, Duluth-Superior has experienced a 50% increase in college students while at the same time a 17% and 14% decline respectively in the number of households between the ages of 25 and 34. These numbers lag behind other regional cities in our region including Minneapolis, St. Cloud and Rochester.

When asked why, young professional and past chair of the Bridge Syndicate, Craig Chilcote (shown on the left) says, "There's a misperception that there are 'no jobs' here... There's also a misperception that our area is unfriendly to small business. It can be a great place to start a small business, because it's easy to get to know people quickly. We need to get this positive message out organically."

The Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation created the Attracting & Retaining Young Adult initiative to determine why young people were leaving the area. In 2006, the Community Foundation interviewed 35 key informants – including business leaders, elected officials and young adults who had moved away from this region – to better understand why young adults leave this region and what we can do to keep them here. The results provide a snapshot into a complex issue.

Following the 2006 interviews, the Community Foundation convened a twelve member task force to review the findings and prioritize the recommendations. A series of key recommendations were created—many of which the Community Foundation is implementing. Solutions include: 
  • Give young adults a chance to lead.
  • Create a better way to share information.
  • Raise awareness of career and economic opportunities.
  • Increase connections between college and university students and the community.
  • We love this place. Now admit it. In public.
  • Support projects that foster Duluth Superior being a more vibrant place for young adults to live and work.

Learn More

Key Informant Survey Results and PowerPoint (pdf).
Attracting and Retaining Young Adulta Task Force Solutions (PDF)  
Watch a video skit produced and starring the Young Adult Task Force below.

Most recently, the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation has dedicated grants and staff time to implementing a Web site to better share information and to create a new fund to give young adults a chance to lead.