Ohio Uses Wrong Tool in Brain Drain Battle

Columbus, Ohio (Photo from sxc.hu)

Brain-drain states have come up with a whole host of incentives to try and keep young graduates in state. Ohio’s most recent initiative to counter brain drain is called the “Grants for Grads Program.” The program gives down payment aid to graduates to encourage them to buy a house in Ohio. Louisiana has a similar program in place for graduates.

Michigan should not follow Ohio’s lead. After graduation, students leave Rust Belt states such as Ohio and Michigan in search of job opportunities, not housing. Students want to explore and see other places; requiring them to settle down where they grew up within six months after graduation (as requires the Grants for Grads Program) is ridiculous and won’t work.

“What most distinguishes successful areas from Michigan is their concentrations of talent.” – Michigan Future

Research from Michigan Future, a local think tank, has shown that young people value very different things when they’re choosing where to live and where to work. While older people might be looking for a nice house in a safe neighborhood, younger people are looking for nice apartments in exciting neighborhoods with great bars, restaurants and other amenities.

So instead of spending money to force graduates to buy a house they can’t afford and don’t really want, states such as Louisiana and Ohio should be focused on building new urban spaces and generating jobs –- which will really attract young people.

Below: Michigan Future produced this video called “What makes a state prosperous?”

Similar Posts:

• Where Generation Y Is Headed (November 13, 2009)
• Keeping Out-Of-Staters in Michigan (November 2, 2009)
• Is Michigan a ‘Sticky’ State? (October 29, 2009)
• Young People Make Connections in Jackson (November 19, 2009)
• Detroit’s Staggering Number of Unemployed Per Job Posting (December 9, 2009)

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