Who's Brain is Draining?

I found this interesting article in the Toledo Free Press.

Brain Drain revisited
By Bruce Rumpf Special to Toledo Free Press news@toledofreepress.com

Yes, I believe that we have the whole “Brain Drain” issue wrong. As most people have read, Brain Drain has to do with the idea that young people are moving out of our region. In fact, it's not just the young people, but from what we have been told, it's the smart young people who are moving out of our area with no plans to return.
My take on that issue is the sooner the smart people move out of the region, the better chance I have of competing. Just kidding. The real answer is that Brain Drain has nothing to do with smart young people moving out of the region; it has to do with retaining the smart people 50 and older.
A few years ago when Job1USA was involved in a private/public initiative for the creation of The Source, Lucas County's employment and training center in Downtown Toledo, one of its programs involved helping older workers find gainful employment. Because the definition of “older worker” was older than 50, I asked that the term be changed to 50+ because I was older than 50 and “+” in school was a positive.
I imagine a few of you who are at or near 50 might share my opinion.
I believe Brain Drain involved those 50 and older because the last time I looked, young people have less money than their elders, who usually attain a level of financial success as they age.
Young smart people need to have some experience in other regions of the country to appreciate what their hometown has to offer; the grass is not always greener concept. That experience could be found in going away to school or finding gainful employment in larger or smaller markets.
If we retain the 50+ group in our region, chances are that the younger smart people will return. Why? Family ties are the top reason kids return home. If we retain the 50+ people, we have a greater chance of the young, smart Brain Drainers returning.
On the flip side, if we don't retain the 50+ group there is little or no chance of that young group returning.
A few months ago, Job1SHOW had Barry Broome, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, as a guest on its radio show that airs on WTOD-AM 1560. Prior to moving to Arizona, Broome was economic development director for the City of Toledo. Broome participated in the successful campaign to “Keep Jeep” and have Chrysler invest billions in a new plant.
During the show, we expressed our views on Brain Drain. Broome not only agreed with me on the topic, he also added a fourth reason to retain the 50+ group in our own community.
“ … Some of the economic vitality in the Phoenix market comes from that 50+ group that moves into our market,” he said.
The level of expertise that these people lend to Phoenix's budding entrepreneurs is one of the ingredients of their success. This group makes great advisers to their boards and they sometimes become investors in Phoenix's local businesses. Most come to Phoenix with having cashed out of their homes and other real estate, only to reinvest in the market there.
The 50+ group brings retirement dollars that are placed in their local banks. Many times they buy new cars and join their area's country clubs.
The families of the 50+ group travel to Phoenix, spending money at the airports, restaurants and retail establishments. Sometimes these families relocate to the Phoenix area, again bringing new dollars to the city.
This is how a market such as Phoenix has grown successfully.
Our solution in Northwest Ohio? Simple. Let's find out what would keep our 50+ citizens engaged in our area. We can't change the weather, but anyone can travel to warmer climates during the cold months. We can become part of the solution by participating again in our political process by encouraging people to run for office and supporting strong job development. We can remarket the strength of the region.
Why is Bass Pro spending $50 million in Northwest Ohio? We have the largest concentration of boating, fishing and hunting licenses anywhere in the country. We have the largest river on the Great Lakes, an asset we are utilizing with the Marina District project.
We have a hard-working, educated work force. In UT, we have the third largest university in Ohio. Our port and logistical capacity has huge upside potential.
Finally, we have the 50+ group. We need to stay; we need to re-engage and we need to demand more of our elected officials, the business community and ourselves. We need to re-energize our hopes and our future.
We need to give our children a reason to come back to the region.
Bruce F. Rumpf is president of Job1USA, a Human Resource Firm headquartered in Toledo. Job1USA specializes in work-force solutions in staffing, security, nursing and executive recruiting. Rumpf may be reached by phone at (419) 255-5005 or by e-mail at brumpf@job1usa.com.

My husband and I moved to Toledo 16 years ago. We never intended to stay beyond a few years, but now have no intention of leaving. Everything we need to enjoy a good life is in this city, mainly, good friends. I hope none of them plan to move to Florida!

Louise Kahle

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