This is an effort that probably has to be made, but I'm not sure how successful it will be:
A 2003 U.S. Census study found that from 1995 to 2000, Indiana lost more college-educated people than almost any state. Ranking 44th in the nation, the state saw 17,379 grads come into the state, while 31,713 left. Just 21.5 percent of the state's residents have a bachelor's degree.Daniels soon plans to go on a mission to major cities, like Chicago, Denver, Phoenix and Los Angeles, to try to lure Hoosier expatriates back.
If you read the story about those who came back to Indiana, you find some common elements. People miss their families or want the kind of houses they can't afford elsewhere or think their business skills will be more competitive here or just get tired of the bright lights they left to find. They get to a point in their personal journeys at which they realize something is missing. They have epiphanies, in other words, which probably can't be prodded by a governor's lectures.
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As one of those college-educated people who left Indiana between 1995 and 2000, I can tell you it was because of the opportunities offered elsewhere. I struggled after college to find a job in Indiana that paid a decent wage. After 10 years in the newspaper industry, I was still making less than $25,000 a year -- barely enough to support myself, let alone a family. My choice was clear: stay in Indiana and remain a pauper or move on to greener pastures. I am not alone. When I went to my 20th high school reunion in 2002, hardly any of the people I hung out with were there. Those who remained were the ones who had not gone on to college. Those who had saw the dearth of opportunities and moved on. I have an affinity for Indiana, especially Fort Wayne, as it is the place where I was born, raised and worked the early part of my life. But I can never see myself going back there to live.
I agree with Jim. I have been working for 29 years. 2 years ago I decided to finally get my college degree. I am finishing up in a few months but I can see already it has made no difference whatsoever with my job. The companies in Ft Wayne are cheap and lack good managers and ceo's who know how to retain employees. Good employees are treated no better, often times worse than poor ones.
My sis moved back to Indiana three years ago and has never regretted it. She lived in San Diego, was making $65K a year as a legal secretary, had bought a house four years previous to leaving California, but never saw herself paying it off.
She sold the house, made $200K on it, moved to Bloomington, bought a house (3000 square foot, two kitchens, one acre) for $139K, a new SUV for about $21K and put money in the bank. She's again working for lawyers and making $40K less than in San Diego, but with her house and car paid for, she's doing great, and she loves that Indiana is not crowded, nor as expensive as living out here. I would move back to Indy in a heartbeat, but can't leave my grandkids.
I'm glad to hear your sister is doing well, Nita. The interesting point is that had she stayed in Indiana, she certainly wouldn't have the lifestyle she does now.
I'm repatriated in the Fort after twenty years in Chicago, and for all the reasons mentioned in Leo's post. I left for all the reasons mentioned above by Jim, and my situation's remarkably similar to that of Nita's sister. As little as I care for Mitch Daniels, I think he might be on to something -- persuade people that their job experience and home equity will get them a lot farther here and you'll probably have more candidates than there are jobs.
I have to chime in with everyone here - I lived and worked in Ft. Wayne for 20 years and left for a better job. Have been in Texas for the past 15 years and would not have done nearly as well had I stayed in Ft Wayne.
However, as a follow-up, what I now do, I could do anywhere, which is getting to be the norm - and no, not "coming home", not till you fix the winters, ...