Talent Attraction Status Report 2012

Young Professional Talent Initiatives Status Report 2012 Huntsville ◦ Madison County ◦ Alabama Young Professional - Talent Attraction Status Report 2012 The Greater Huntsville area is proclaimed Now, almost 10 years later, the 2010 Census “A Smart Place”. There are good reasons of Population provides an opportunity to this phrase describes a specific region in reflect on impacts of the community’s young north Alabama. Many residents who call the professionals initiatives in terms of both region home are well educated, well paid, quantity and opinion. This report and are part of the innovative culture of the summarizes the findings of a review workforce. Just as pursuing a college degree conducted by the UAHuntsville College of requires focused effort, so does the Business Administration Center for attraction and retention of a well educated Management & Economic Research workforce to meet employer needs. An between November 2011 and February important segment of a highly technical 2012. Specifically, the research attempts to workforce is the mid-twenty to mid-thirty answer two key questions: year old young professionals. 1. What progress has been made on the The Huntsville Committee of 100, the goals of the 2005 young professional Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/ workforce plan as outlined in the Madison County, the Huntsville/Madison Huntsville Talent Magnet Report? County Arts Council, a host of employers 2. How will the young professional and others initiated efforts to improve the population contribute to the local attractiveness of the local area to 25-34 year community in the decade ahead? olds…young professionals. The purpose of these efforts is to restore the loss of this age The review focused on four key areas: group from the local workforce between I. Impacts of community efforts to 1990 and 2000. The 2000 Census of enhance the attractiveness of the population showed a significant drop (6.1%) community to young professionals in the percentage of young professionals in II. The 2010 Census: Demographic the local area. A study conducted after the shifts since 2000 2000 Census by Coletta & Company entitled III. Local employer perspectives on the the Huntsville Talent Magnet Report young professional workforce today investigated reasons for the loss of this IV. Opinions and improvement important segment of the local population. suggestions of young professionals huntsvillecommitteeof100.org/links-and- about the community today resources/ Status Report 2012 Page 1 Young Professional - Talent Attraction Status Report 2012 2005 Young Professional Plan Significant Accomplishments Every conversation on economic development includes a YP focus YP viewpoints are valuable assets on nonprofit boards, commissions YP involvement/issues are considered critical in political campaigns Numerous opportunities for YPs to network and be involved Young Professional Workforce Arts & Entertainment ASmartPlace.com jobs website New Lowe Mill artist colony Increased intern and co-op Downtown Arts Stroll positions in federal contracts Sculpture Trail Bridges program for college Art Krewe events for YPs interns Downtown 47 concerts, Tinsel Increase in college students and in Trail on-campus residents Downtown outdoor dining YPs on BRAC recruitment teams increased Mentors for local college students Downtown nightlife increased managed by Emyrge & HYP New local breweries Marketing Engagement Expanded focus on outdoor Leadership Connect formed recreation Committee of 100 YP formed New website designs to appeal to Nonprofit and appointed board YPs by City of Huntsville, positions for YPs Chamber of Commerce, Rock the Vote events held for Convention & Visitors Bureau local, state, and national elections Huntsville Times regular articles 2008, 2010, 2012 on YP events Networking HYP has grown from 40 to over 2,000 members First Fridays formed and has 1,000 members New company YP organizations Emyrge Council formed as umbrella for all YP organizations Page 2 Status Report 2012 Young Professional - Talent Attraction Status Report 2012 I. Impacts of Community Efforts to Enhance Attractiveness of the Community The status of progress made to attract and developments (Belk Hudson building), and retain young professionals (25-34 year-olds) infrastructure improvements (Von Braun is the purpose of this status review. The Center renovations) are making a positive recommendations in the 2005 Huntsville impression on the young professional Talent Magnet Report (HTMR) were population. However, most feel that there is reviewed. much left to be done especially with residential development in the downtown The 2000 Census alerted the community to area before declaring a downtown vibrant the loss of 25-34 year olds in the general and a great place to at least live and play. population and the workforce. Multiple efforts were undertaken to understand why a Place - The Natural Environment technology-driven community lost young HMTR – Protect, leverage, and promote professionals at a rate significantly higher green assets such as greenways/blueways than either the nation, state, or other and dog-friendly areas. technology-areas in the nation. The general opinion after the investigations were (1) Status 2012 – The significant expansion of there was a national shift in the age greenways has positively impacted the distribution occurring and (2) the local area image and opinions of the area. Although a was not considered a top choice among dog-park has opened, it has not satisfied the young professionals with opportunities to expectations of young professionals with “choose a place to live and then find a job.” dogs. Collaborative initiatives were developed and The only blueway asset mentioned is the implemented by community leaders. Flint River. The fountains and Overall, the results of these attract and retain improvements in downtown Huntsville are young professional initiatives are positives but not often mentioned in context succeeding. The levels of success varies of water trails. In fact, the abundance of across the landscape of place, culture, water sports opportunities in the area will image, and business development. Results need significant promotion to build observed in 2012 are summarized for each awareness among young professionals. area. Culture – Engage Young Professionals Place - The Built Environment HTMR – Nurture the formation of a young HMTR – Create a vibrant downtown where adult group to impact the civic and social energy is palpable…make one “great place” direction of the city. that everyone can enjoy”. Status 2012 – The phrase “resounding Status 2012 – Major strides have been made success” summarizes the opinions of young in invigorating the downtown area of professionals involved in one or more of the Huntsville. New businesses (restaurants, many community and company young bars), activities (art events, concerts in the professional organizations created since park), attractions (expansion of the 2000. The common response was “keep Huntsville Museum of Art), residential Status Report 2012 Page 3 Young Professional - Talent Attraction Status Report 2012 doing what we are doing” and “involve generally positively viewed but do not meet young professionals at the highest levels.” expectations because most are not within walking distance. Small clusters of Culture – Entrepreneurship entertainment, art and dining establishments HTMR – Create a political and civic culture should continue to be developed along the that encourages entrepreneurship. corridor to provide a feeling of walk-able Status 2012- Encouraging small business convenience. Safety concerns especially on formation is still desired. Existing and new Meridian Street need to be addressed to entrepreneurial support programs are not project walking convenience. well known. The challenge of “dealing with More entertainment, dining, shopping, etc. is the massive red-tape” required to start a frequently suggested. However, more is a business is frequently mentioned when very elusive goal. A larger, better defined discussing entrepreneurship. It is important corridor with a variety of entertainment to note here that about half (47%) of young options such as 6th Street in Austin may professionals have entrepreneurial satisfy the “more” expectation as much as it plans/desires. A well-communicated and can be satisfied. Building on the sustained effort to demonstrate how to development efforts of the past decade navigate the start-up path will be needed to should continue. improve opinions about the local entrepreneurial environment. Image – Target Promotion HTMR – Package and promote the area in a Culture – Intellectual Life manner that incorporates 25-34 year olds in HTMR – Connect with universities to the message. generate a more vibrant intellectual life Status 2012 – The most positive comments Status 2012 – While university engagement in this area were from local employers. in community activities and events has Many are supporting efforts both externally increased, young professionals feel the and internally. Promotion materials and universities are isolated in the community. campaigns were praised and described as University students shared the feeling of very useful in their recruiting efforts. isolation. This area is not a top issue of young professionals today but they do agree Young professionals have a different that better collaboration with the universities perspective. Most are not aware of the on events featuring “the lecturers they bring promotional

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