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Local business leaders tackle 'brain drain'

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BY MELISSA LEE / Lincoln Journal Star

Wednesday, Oct 25, 2006 - 08:27:31 am CDT

Lincoln must do more to attract and retain young job-seekers or risk losing vast economic potential, a group of local business leaders agreed Tuesday.

A meeting originally billed as a chance for community leaders to talk about priority issues for the upcoming legislative session drifted into a discussion on what to do about “brain drain” — the flight of talented young people to jobs outside Nebraska.

“We don’t integrate those people into the business community like we should,” said City Councilman Dan Marvin. “We have to keep people who are bright, intelligent — keep them interested in the community.”

Marvin and others urged stronger relationships between local businesses, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and other schools producing thousands of graduates.

If such bonds aren’t forged, college graduates won’t see Lincoln as a good place to work and raise families, and they’ll take their talent and ideas elsewhere, the group warned.

“We need a vital, vibrant city. We need to make this an attractive place for young people to live and work,” said Roger Larson of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission.

Ideas on how to do that? This group — most of them over 40 — was all ears.

Derek Eells, vice president of TenDot Corporate Travel, suggested better promotion of the Young Professionals Group, a new program for entrepreneurs ages 25 to 40 who want to get involved in politics, volunteer and network with business leaders.

Young people won’t stay in Lincoln unless they feel they have a voice in the city’s decision-making process, Eells said. That’s what the Young Professionals Group aims to give them.

“It’s empowering young people. That’s what’s going to bring them back,” he said.

Another suggestion: Encourage businesses to visit campuses and join career fairs to let students know what opportunities are out there.

“There’s great things out there,” said Kristen Koch, a member of UNL’s student government. “We just need to be more vocal about it.”

Several at the meeting pointed to Lincoln Public Schools’ new Entrepreneurship Focus Program as an example of success.

The program teaches high school students business smarts while also allowing them to earn dual credit at Southeast Community College.

More initiatives like that could encourage young people to try business ventures in the Capital City, local leaders hope.

As it stands, Chamber of Commerce senior vice president for public policy Bruce Bohrer asked the room: “Do we have a well-thought-out vision for Lincoln?”

Around the room, heads shook no.

Reach Melissa Lee at 473-2682 or mlee@journalstar.com.


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Hemet wrote on October 25, 2006 2:18 am:
" If Lincoln wants brains to stay in Lincoln it has to look at what the cities offer where the brains go to. L.A. and San Diego, San Francisco, New York all attract young and high I.Q people by having high I.Q people centered around new and exciting challenges. Examples are Biotech in california, financial centers in L.A. and New York, these are strong attractions to these talented people. Nebraska, if smart can use its new found basis of Ethanol, along with cheap housing and clean air to attract a new breed of Engineers and technicians. The pumping up of existing groups will not do. the attraction must be real. "

 Tampa Husker wrote on October 25, 2006 2:44 am:
" What does Lincoln have to offer for young, talented individual? A bar scene? The University? Other than that not much. The job market is stagnant and there is very little to do in regards to entertainment. Let alone, you are 2 1/2 hours away from KC, 8 hours from Chicago and 6 hours from Denver. It's no wonder every than can, does leave Lincoln and Nebraska. For the most part, the only thing that would have kept me there was my immediate family. "

 Late O'Day wrote on October 25, 2006 3:04 am:
" Do I have to keep saying it? Is it ever going to sink in? Roger Larson says, “We need a vital, vibrant city." NEWSFLASH: We HAD a vital and vibrant city. We chased those people away. They are gone. They are not coming back -- at least not as long as Lincoln intent on being a giant daycare center. The decline started in the early 80's with city planner Garner Stoll trying to drive people to Gateway (at the extreme expense of everyone else), it was exacerbated by the city's misguided attempt to turn the Haymarket into Omaha's "Old Market" (ignoring the fact that no one wanted to go there) and destroying several homegrown festivals in the process by constantly uprooting them ... and then it culminated in the bluenose moralistic self-appointed nannies imposing trendy and draconian anti-smoking laws instead of letting free-market forces and business OWNERS decide for themselves. It's too late to scratch your head and wonder why we went from the top cultural center of the state to an insignificant backwater and laughing stock. In the 80's, we had "Paddywhack" performing on street corners. Now we have winos with bongos pounding out noise for booze money. We had FIVE TIMES the number of art galleries in the 80's -- and never thought to encourage them. We had 4 and 5 star restaurants in the 80's -- now we have endless Burrito huts and hamburger joints. And maybe most important, the Journal-Star was owned by a different company and had a policy of holding politicians' feet to the fire and asking hard questions -- instead of just reprinting their press releases and calling it "journalism". "

 whatever wrote on October 25, 2006 6:52 am:
" It's good to see some discussion on what to do to invigorate Lincoln, but this will be a tall order. Figure it will take 10 to 20 years just to get back to where Lincoln was in the late 70's to early 80's. One place to start is with the elitist holier than thou, almost paternalistic attitude that borders on hostility and intolerance. The other is to get a grip with LIBA, it's interests are not Lincoln's interests at all. If the city leaders and business leaders can get their head around those two things, then they have a shot at success, otherwise look for further declines in Lincoln's quality of life. "

 David wrote on October 25, 2006 6:58 am:
" I think we need to raise taxes more. Chase more manufacturing jobs away. That would do it. My property taxes went up 300% last year. When I lived in NY it cost me $65 to register my 03 grand caravan for two years. I move back here, and it cost me $358 to register it for one year. People in DMV here make about 1/3 less money. And these cheesy aluminum plates that bend when a bug hits it are pathetic. City of Lincoln can't even agree on how to buy a firetruck. How are they going to attract smart people. "

 John wrote on October 25, 2006 7:55 am:
" Brain drain? Why would anyone want to work elsewhere when they could get a really good job right here in Lincoln working at one of their eight neighborhood Walgreens? Waverly gets distribution centers, we get Walgreens. I see the light at the end of the tunnel though, two new Wal-marts will be coming soon! Sorry for the sarcasm. "

 Mark wrote on October 25, 2006 8:03 am:
" People in Lincoln get in an uproar about city leaders not welcoming new businesses. Well, WalMart, Runza, WalGreens, most bank positions, and fast food joints aren't going to keep college graduates here. The smoking ban? C'mon. Professionals don't smoke. As a young professional, I think Lincoln has few things to offer, and as a young, left leaning, non-church goer, even fewer ways to connect with the city. Lincoln is a nice place. But so is Minneapolis, Portland, Ft. Collins, Albequerque, etc.... that have much more to offer. Clean air, low living expenses and slightly above average schools aren't enought to keep me here. Walmarts, sprawl, light pollution from car lots, aggressive drivers towards bikers, and high obesity rate is enough for me to want to leave. "

 JT wrote on October 25, 2006 8:25 am:
" Nobody goes to the Haymarket? Is that why it's always so packed? The smoking ban is totally awesome, everyone I know enjoys their time at the bars much much more than before. "

 Young Professional wrote on October 25, 2006 8:33 am:
" I have said it over and over, Lincoln does not offer the challenges that young professionals are sinking their teeth into in larger, more competitive cities. Lincoln is great if you want the small town lifestyle to raise your children in or retire in, however the sector keeping Lincoln competitive on a national scale is not present. First and foremost, we have to begin with Job Creation and not through Hy-Vee or Starbucks, we're talking national or international Fortune 100-500 companies. Also, with so many students having a NEED to utilize student loan money to attend and graduate from college, $9.00/ hour is not going to cut it. Locally graduates make $9-$12/ hour starting out then figure with the cost of renting or owning a home, having a car payment and other utilities, then the cost of repaying student loans at $200/mo, one cannot live. Lincoln needs to take a long, hard, realistic look at the real issues and the reasons it's not successful on any scale. We are Below Average, how does that suit you? "

 Jason wrote on October 25, 2006 8:35 am:
" Lack of value. This town is an insurance/banking sweatshop, offers no culture or amenities yet housing is as expensive or more expensive than Omaha yet wages are much lower. Business leaders need to look in the mirror. "

 jason wrote on October 25, 2006 8:53 am:
" Here's my view on what is happening to brain drain at least in Lincoln. First is the class breakdown. The middle class has had to go elsewhere to find decent jobs due to higher paying jobs leaving the area. No hearty attempt was made to keep the jobs. The other is the professionals who make up a large majority, many of which are lawyers, doctors and such. Have you looked at the yellow pages in a phone book lately. Ne has a reputation for it's engineering program. How many engineering jobs are there in Lincoln? For the bottom class on the rung, Walgreens, walmarts, and fast food joints are the best they can do at $7 an hour. It seems you have the large wage earners and the low wage earners with the middle class just moving at a snails pace. The more highly prized jobs are just not there for new graduates, they are in phoenix, K.C., Denver along with some more progressive smaller cities. Springfield Mo. has had many new opportunities for high and middle class workers but then they seem to promote the city to industry. "

 What Jobs? wrote on October 25, 2006 9:00 am:
" OK, a bunch of established, stoggy old guys promoting the same old, same old, which hasn't worked in the past and doesn't work now. The reason young people move away is because there are no jobs in Lincoln to keep them here, much less high paying jobs. I came to Lincoln because someone offered me an attractive job. 5 years ago, that job disappeared when the economy tanked. I found another job in the area but frankly, the salary is insufficient and the benefits even worse. When the right opportunity comes along, I won't think twice about moving out of town and likely out of state. The "community leaders" mentioned above need to get input from the community's "non-leaders" for new ideas instead of rehashing their tired old ideas. And as a person who helps new busineses get started in Lincoln, I don't send these entrepreneurs to any of the above named groups for help or advice because I don't see them doing anything except supporting existing businesses in downtown Lincoln. "

 Whitney wrote on October 25, 2006 9:16 am:
" I have fond, fond memories of this city in the 80's. L O'd hit the nail right on the head, so I don't need to repeat it. Since the 80's it's just been bad decision after bad decision by our city leaders. If only we could go back.... "

 suzanne wrote on October 25, 2006 9:16 am:
" Lincoln is NOT a welcoming place for those who are not: white, male, American born, republican, straight, English speaking and Christian and upper middle class. Why on Earth would a progressive, intelligent, ambitious young person want to settle down here? "

 Brain who left wrote on October 25, 2006 10:05 am:
" Several of my friends (UNL Engineering Grads)and I left Lincoln for the same reasons. There was nothing attracting us to Lincoln. By going to KC, Denver,Madison, we earn 10-20% more than available jobs in Lincoln. The University may not be the best in the country, but several of it's programs rank in the top 25, including the College of Engineering. This is saying something since most of the top ten are in New England, California and Michigan, large population centers with huge appetites for engineers locally. Lincoln needs to attract companies that can utilize the talent coming out of UNL and the other schools. The jobs need to be competitive in benefits, pay and opurtunity to move up. It would also be benificial if Lincoln looked at peer cities to see what they are doing to atract young professionals. KC, Chicago and Denver are not peers of Lincoln. Madison, WI; Des Moines, IA; and Iowa City, IA are closer. Lincoln cannot compete with Cities that have a 5 million+ metro population. Lincoln needs to be realistic, and recruit from other states like they do from us. "

 BJ wrote on October 25, 2006 10:13 am:
" What ever happened to our country, "liberty and freedom for all" NOT in Lincoln, only the smart, intelligent, college educated, rich, and those that adhere to a dog chain around their neck, need stay. My fond memories go back to the 1950's. Even then, no jobs, so I had to leave. "Late O'Day" hit the mark on the head. Good. However, there were problems in the 1980's, because when I tried to build a house, the builders, lumber yards etc. kept telling me, "Lincoln will never grow, Omaha will grow to Lincoln." And the costs esculated every year until I finally gave up. I grew up in Nebraska and dearly loved my state UNTIL after I graduated and tried to find a job, was told by the Nebraska state employment, " YOU'LL NEVER GET A JOB!!" Well I did in another caring state and climbed to the top and having to come back to Nebraska, once again, Lincoln is only tooooo eager to destroy me and my bank account, so the few can label everything blighted so they can spend spend spend on new beautiful Calif. style living. YOU DO REAP WHAT YOU SEW!!! I'm outta here as soon as possible. Theres no future for young people WITH COLLEGE EDUCATION let alone non college educated here. Not that way in the state I came from. Nebraskans have "COLLEGE EDUCATED" written on their foreheads, and boy ya better take notice. Course getting industry in here is discouraged, it might lower the standards of Lincoln living!!!! Why are most run out of town??? "

 GW wrote on October 25, 2006 10:37 am:
" There are no jobs, minimal opportunity and Lincoln is polluted with snub nose politicians. Can this group of grumpy old men find something better to give us a bunch of hooey that will never fly in this town? Folks get real the city is only going to get worse with the Mayor and City Council we currently have, period! "

 Dr. Nick wrote on October 25, 2006 11:04 am:
" I graduated with my masters degree from UNL 4 years ago. I left lincoln 3 1/2 years ago. If the city wants to keep the youth and smarter people here, they need to stop letting all the old codgers run everything from the city council to the mayor. Let the city become more progressive and a whole lot less racist and bigoted. Lower taxes on everything. I have never been happier since I moved from lincoln to boise 3 1/2 years ago. Turn lincoln around and I would very strongly consider moving my practice to lincoln. Go Broncos! "

 DrainedBrain wrote on October 25, 2006 11:42 am:
" I now live in New England but I was born and raised in NE and graduated from UNL. I personally enjoy Lincoln much more than Omaha. But Lincoln needs to be more proactive and progressive. For starters, and Hemet we can save the debate on ethanol for another time, Lincoln has to go after the alternative energy sector that is going to boom in the near future. But it will take a lot more than tax incentives for these companies to startup in the star city. Lincoln needs to show a sincere commitment to the environmental issues that we all have to deal with through smarth growth initiatives, public transportation improvements and promotions, etc., along with cultural improvements that are attractive to all creative people, and saving good paying blue-collar jobs that give a city a backbone. Face it, there are no mountains, no beaches, no lakes (no offense Branched-Oak or Holmes), no international airport, no national conventions or other events, no professional sports and the Cornhuskers aren't drawing national attention any more. There has to be more to offer than O street on a Saturday night. "

 Lincoln to Oregon wrote on October 25, 2006 12:20 pm:
" I recently graduated from UNL and left. I didn't leave because of taxes (housing is so cheap!), license plates (seriously?), smoking bans, or redevelopment in the haymarket (it was my favorite part of town). A big reason I left was the writing on the wall regarding Lincoln's natural beauty and livability. I know its cheap to build houses and apartment complexes for miles around and let the city-center rot, but it doesn't mean its smart in the long run. So long as their motives are pure, I commend the group of businessmen who recently announced they were working to unify the various master plans for downtown and the university. Antelope Valley may seem like a risk now, but I'm telling you, it is these forward-looking projects that could bring me back someday to raise my children. Do it well enough, and they might even stick around. (I'm not going to lie to you though, a hill or two and a natural lake would be nice as well. Suggestion: Develop a multi-mile mountain bike loop through the prairie, try not to run over the bikers in town). "

 I'll repeat wrote on October 25, 2006 12:21 pm:
" what others have said: college grads want, challenging, interesting, DECENT paying jobs with some chance at upward mobility. I work in a business that is known as one that is a grad "starter" job. People come to work here for a couple years to get some experience, then are off to the coasts for a real job. Lincoln is a nice place for maybe starting a family, or is you are a rich retiree and can afford the taxes. No entertainment for young people, most of whom are not interested in drag strips, LOL! "

 Out of State Engineer wrote on October 25, 2006 12:48 pm:
" It's about the money. I have about 5 years of engineering experience. To get the same pay at a Nebraska facility, the market is asking for 15+ years. Is out of state experience or Fortune 100 experience worth anything? If we moved back to Nebraska (we'd like to) how would I justify to my family that my 9+ hours away from home are suddenly worth less to my employer? COL in Nebraska is cheap, but there are other sub-1 COL locations that offer better salaries. Show me the money. "

 male grad student wrote on October 25, 2006 1:10 pm:
" Lincoln's not welcoming to women? Yeah I know all that my friends talk about is how we wish there was a lot less women in Lincoln. Are you kidding? "

 Sarah wrote on October 25, 2006 1:27 pm:
" Lincoln has an opportunity to establish leading health and convenience services for a growing geriatric population. Lower costs of living and affordable nursing care-housing might provide a "score" (20 years) of sustained growth. India has realized this potential market and is building infrastructure to meet demands. Ethanol will be a leg of the economic stool if gas-oil prices appreciate dramatically. Lincoln can market a "self-sustained" concept so building and economic expansion is realized. Education costs and taxes have to be reduced, this and retaining citizens is a critical part of the equation. Leadership from both governor and mayor is a partnership that could be better nurtured. "

 TSB wrote on October 25, 2006 3:34 pm:
" My wife and I moved to Lincoln over a year ago for very good jobs with the university but I have to say we hate it. The streams are cluttered with garbage and tires and the people are rude and intolerant. In my view Lincoln is an ugly, ugly city with ugly, ugly people. Our five year plan doesn’t include Lincoln. "

 well wrote on October 25, 2006 4:15 pm:
" There are a lot of good points in this forum. This is a discussion that has come up periodically in Lincoln at least for the last 30 years, but every time it comes up, nothing really changes and the situation gets worse. At some point the decline of Lincoln will get to the point that "recovery" just isn't practical, at least recovery to the glory days of the late 70's and early 80's. A few observations Lincoln does offer good medical care, better than most cities it's size or bigger. I would really focus on increasing the number of nursing before this one bright spot fades away too. Lincoln also has good private colleges, Lincoln find a way to work with those schools and stop fixating on UNL, the average income and educational attainment of your average Wesleyan grad or Union College grad is higher than that of your average UNL grad. UNL is a marginal institution at best, I wouldn't let any of my kids waste their time or money there. As far as job opportunities, I wasted a lot of years in Lincoln because I liked the city, but circumstances landed me in a small town in Nebraska, and I was really glad to leave. I now have a better income and better/cheaper housing. I think Lincoln's growth potential is minimal at best given the current government leadership and undo influence of your average home builder. Also, most of the good blue collar jobs are gone, the white collar jobs that replaced them don't offer decent pay or benefits. There are high paying white collar jobs, but there aren't enough of them. I think the future of Nebraska is Omaha and some of the smaller communities in Nebraska, like Columbus and Kearney, I'm sure there are others. I know my wife and I are going to start a business in a few year but Lincoln isn't on the list of locations due to a host of reasons, many outlined here, but some smaller communities are. "

 TO TSB wrote on October 25, 2006 6:59 pm:
" Lincoln is blind and will never change. The local business community has pitched the "quality of life" in Lincoln for years. They think it will satisfy people. Not true, people need good paying jobs. Poor and old in Lincoln is not pretty. Just visit the mission. "

 Cb wrote on October 25, 2006 9:50 pm:
" Late o'day I think I am in love. You are reading my mind! "

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