Mike Knutson at Reimagine Rural notes that Rebecca Ryan is keynoting the SD Governors Office for Economic Development Annual Conference. (Hey, she can't do worse than Kristi Noem at the NDGOP convention.) Ryan appears well tuned to the idea that making your local economy grow is much less about the traditional metrics of low taxes and corporate incentives and much more about creating a vibrant culture and quality of life that will attract the creative class (see also NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, "Cities must be cool, creative and in control," Financial Times, March 27, 2012).
Along those lines, I follow Knutson's link to a December 2008 Wisconsin survey of local high school students, college students, and young professionals on what attracts them to communities. Given a list of 31 items, here are the qualities they chose as the most attractive:
High School Students:
- Affordable
- Jobs
- Place for Family
- Public Schools
- Safe Streets
- Low Taxes
- Walkable Streets
- People My Age
- Beach/Waterfront
- Nightlife
College Students:
- Affordable
- Safe Streets
- Place for Family
- Public Schools
- Jobs
- Low Taxes
- Walkable Streets
- Beach/Waterfront
- Scenic Beauty
- Friends/Family
Young Professionals:
- Safe Streets
- Place for Family
- Affordable
- Public Schools
- Scenic Beauty
- Sense of Community
- Walkable Streets
- Low Traffic
- Friends/Family
- Beach/Waterfront
YP Natives:
- Safe Streets
- Place for Family
- Affordable
- Public Schools
- Jobs
- Friends/Family
- Low Taxes
- Scenic Beauty
- Walkable Streets
- Low Traffic
YP Boomerangers:
- Safe Streets
- Affordable
- Place for Family
- Scenic Beauty
- Public Schools
- Sense of Community
- Friends/Family
- Walkable Streets
- Beach/Waterfront
- Low Traffic
YP Transplants:
- Safe Streets
- Place for Family
- Scenic Beauty
- Affordable
- Public Schools
- Sense of Community
- Low Traffic
- Concern for Environment
- Trails/Parks
- Walkable Streets
Interestingly, low taxes figure highest among those with least direct experience of taxes, the high school and college students. The only young professionals who mention low taxes in the top 10 are the young professionals native to the area. Three of the top items for young professionals—safe streets, walkable streets, and good public schools—require more investment of tax dollars.
So it would seem that, at least among the Wisconsin population surveyed here, attracting young talent requires something more than South Dakota's "low-tax no-tax" cheerleading... and probably more than sending Ag Secretary Walt Bones out to twist arms in favor of every stinky feedlot. Let's see if the Governor's Office of Economic Development gets that message.
Update 17:41 MDT: Back at you: my friend The Displaced Plainsman contributes to the discussion of attracting talent to rural communities by mentioning another key quality of life: the chance to be creative. I wonder: is high-plains libertarian tolerance enough (that crazy artist can do what he wants in his barn, as long as he doesn't bother me), or does real talent recruitment require communitarian encouragement?
It looks like Madison is doing OK with the new high school renovation. Ramona is building an addition. Rutland is always doing small projects. Chester is leading the way with its cyberschool program.
contrary to everything the voters and the awful We The People Yankton have done here. They are not only destroying the Yankton School District they are slowly but surely killing the town.
"Three of the top items for young professionals—safe streets, walkable streets, and good public schools—require more investment of tax dollars."
No they don't need more taxes. The Office of Economic Development want them to be job-training centers for their government subsidized centrally planned global corporations. Funding sex education only fills the streets with sex addicts. Funding the welfare system only fills the streets with fatherless criminals. I say cut the Office of Economic Development, cut the Department of Education, and cut taxes giving the people more power to develop the economy the way they want to.
Interesting contrast unfolding in the Hills.
"Pe Sla is the genuine, living heart of the Black Hills for the region’s indigenous peoples. For thousands of years prior to European invasion, the Lakota prayed and paid ritualistic homage to the earth and sky, as well as to everything in between and beyond, unencumbered at Pe Sla." Jesse Abernathy, NSN as cast in Buffalo Post.
"Funding sex education only fills the streets with sex addicts. Funding the welfare system only fills the streets with fatherless criminals. I say cut the Office of Economic Development, cut the Department of Education, and cut taxes giving the people more power to develop the economy the way they want to."
Fellow readers. Show of hands. How many here find even a thin shred of logic in these three sentences? If this is the product of critical thinking as informed by the light of the lord on high, I guess I don't want any of it.
Cross-pollination: Montana Cowgirl is hosting a discussion on teabagger resistance to Helena's sex-discrimination ordinance. Link.
Democrats=safe; earth haters=cheap.
Bill, who said that?
It is a big, stinking pile o' bs.
It's only slighly surprising that "decent breakfast joints" didn't make the top ten. I'm sure that's because all these young people sleep until noon and don't eat breakfast.
I would like to have seen where an actual option of "higher taxes" rated in this survey. Or "more fancy parking spots for school administrators" factored in.
DEB, see Steve Sibson above.
Steve has me so afraid of the sex-craving addicts running wild on the streets that I bought combination padlocks to make sure the pickup doors can't be yanked open.
I just would not have been aware of the terrible danger without Steve's wisdom.
More seriously, if you break a serpentine belts with the micro-V ribs running in flat pulley grooves on your car, before you replace it with a new one, get into bright light or get a bright light and check the pulley grooves. They can end up full of sticky rubber and as we found out after working in dim light, that a new $30 belt may not last a week. Some fun. Then to have Steve scare the grease right off my hands...what a day.
Grudz,
I've been meaning to ask you for your favorite strip clubs that serve breakfast. After seeing your previous comment, now seems like a good time. Care to share?
I will grant that not enough of my students appreciate the value of breakfast. Of course, I'm so used to having breakfast here at home, over the keyboard, that I'm not used to thinking about where I can can a meal around town in the morning. About the only time I eat breakfast out is when I get an omelette and pancakes at Perkins... for supper! (I really wish McDonald's would keep their breakfast menu on the griddle later, at least through the lunch hour.) I love breakfast, but in comparing communities, I focus more on spots to take my family and guests out for a nice evening meal.
Steve, we don't build communities entirely by atomistic, unplanned efforts. Society doesn't develop by people just randomly bumping into each other as they go about their business (see also Constitutional Convention, 1787). A little communication, coordination, and common effort can help us all form better communities.
I find that people focus on the "creative class" and young professionals and forget they really are a small part of the economy of most places, particularly small cities and towns.
The whole idea of the "creative class" is a bit elitist, and not very helpful. The really creative people in my city spend most of their time in labs or medical facilities, but I have a feeling too many people who sit around coffee houses pretending to work consider themselves as the "creative class."
My brother has a high school diploma, manufactures countertops, and works in a factory setting. Some countertops are mass produced and some of custom fit, but each process usually involves considerable design skills, as well as being able to cut and construct from plans others have provided. Yet, I doubt the consultants who put out these studies would consider a 60 year factory worker's opinions as of much worth.
But, in looking over the qualities listed, I doubt there would be much disagreement between a factory worker and a young professional.
I moved here from Wisconsin in 2004, figuring that I could afford a house here better than there. So "affordability" attracted me. Taxes had a lot to do with it. Wisconsin has a state income tax, and their property taxes are high as well.
Low taxes were not exactly No. 1 on my list because I ended up in Lead, one of the highest-taxed towns in the state. But even here in Lead, taxes overall are lower than they would have been had I bought a house of comparable price in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin (where I came from).
I fall into a category not in the mainstream, "Lone Eagle" (as Larry has rightly called me). Maybe I'm an "old professional." Taxes were (and remain) a factor for me, because they, as a living expense, form part of the overall affordability equation.
Cory, why don't you do a study to see how much "low taxes" and "affordability" correlate in the real world?
If I found a fabulous opportunity in Boston or San Francisco or New York and they'd pay me enough so I could pay my bills without any strain, taxes would not matter to me at all.
Bloomberg also says: I have long believed that talent attracts capital far more effectively and consistently than capital attracts talent. The most creative individuals want to live in places that protect personal freedoms, prize diversity and offer an abundance of cultural opportunities. A city that wants to attract creators must offer a fertile breeding ground for new ideas and innovations.
People want an interesting life and talented, successful people are very willing to pay to be in that environment. That's where their opportunities are. Much of South Dakota thinks in survival mode.
I see you listed your acreage, Stan: be in LawCo by next Wednesday. Maybe we get together for a Diet Mountain Dew.
"low taxes" and "affordability": I haven't run all the numbers through the mill yet, but I notice that the latest cost of living data (2011 Q4) show South Dakota riding at 99.2% of the national average.
John, I like your recognition of a difference between just hanging on and making an effort to welcome creative talent.
Donald, I appreciate your warning about creative-class elitism. The creative class may be a small minority... but I wonder: might they be the straw that stirs the drink? Suppose you have a town like Madison with 6500 people. Suppose you add 1%, 65 people, who fit Bloomberg's category of talented, innovative people, creators with real hustle, not just leisure-class posers at Mochavino. How much of a difference can those 65 people make in that one town, not just in buying groceries and lumber to boost local sales tax, but in starting conversations, companies, and cultural events?
On the Madison level, consider the example of Ashley Allen. Last summer, he started rattling cages about the lack of attention to retail development in Madison. Local leaders went from poo-pooing his criticism to revamping their economic development plans to emphasize the need for more retail. It remains to be seen whether Madison's leaders are sincere in this new push or just trying to tamp down criticism, but it seems even one guy with smarts and moxie can make a difference in the direction of a town. Imagine 65 Ashley Allens stirring Madison's small pot.
I bet I know of more than 65 people that are making a huge difference in Madison right now.
"Yet, I doubt the consultants who put out these studies would consider a 60 year factory worker’s opinions as of much worth."
This comment contains an amount of elitism greater than the elitism that it condemns. The people I reference in my post on the Displaced Plainsman are described in other news accounts as quiet salt of the earth people. They aren't "elites."
Second, the "elites" you condemn probably have more appreciation for a craftsman who can do fine custom work than people who complain that custom work costs too much.
Third, I have a huge problem with the idea that the workplace is the only place to be creative or appreciate creativity. One does not live by bread alone; one also needs fuel for the soul. I wish I lived somewhere where I could get a cup of coffee with artwork like Cory's on the wall. I want to see The Avengers movie in May along with a lot of other summer blockbusters, but it would be nice to be able to see something with subtitles once or twice a year.
Finally, I the term creativity applies to the person who rebuilds a car as well as an author who writes a book or a painter who does a painting.
I didn't read it as elitist, but face facts, there are movers and shakers, and those people who really have talent and drive rarely stay in SD. Bright lights big city. Bloomberg's article is worth reading. He knows what moves a city and he's built an empire. Here's a no hassle link: http://www.mikebloomberg.com/index.cfm?objectid=59A629F1-C29C-7CA2-F05F457B91A5FB90
Movers and shakers... on the one hand, a community needs lots of regular folks who come and work and buy and stay. They are the flour for the bread. But with all those cups of flour, you need a couple spoonfuls of yeast to make it rise.