Align Your Community's Values with the Workforce of Tomorrow

by Aviva Mehta, IEDC Intern 

The COVID-19 crisis and the Black Lives Matter movement have put Generation Z on the front lines of today’s problems. Whether it is spreading awareness on social issues, ensuring corporate responsibility, or keeping local governments in check, young people have made it their duty to be as politically and socially involved as possible. The world is changing rapidly, and the young people who are in the streets protesting are also now graduating from schools and colleges and beginning to think about where they want to work, and for whom they want to work. Therefore, it is now up to economic developers to start listening to young people so their communities can attract the workforce it needs for innovation and sustainability. 

Business Attraction

Social justice and economic development are now more closely affiliated than they have ever been. One of 2018’s largest economic development projects, Amazon’s decision for where it would locate its headquarters, was heavily influenced by their workforce’s tendency to want to live in a progressive place. North Carolina was an important contender, but received backlash due to its anti-LGBTQIA+ policies at the time, and was taken off the list. This is an important factor to consider: economic developers must make sure they are working with local governments to create a socially welcoming environment for businesses. From large corporations such as Amazon to small businesses, social justice issues such as LGBTQIA+, minority, and women’s rights are essential to businesses due to their morals and customer base. The use of social media has made it easy for Gen Z to voice their opinions and boycott institutions for lack of inclusivity, and therefore corporations must be extremely aware of the message they send when making decisions. 

Even symbolic shows of support can help boost local economies. Mississippi’s state flag, which included the Confederate battle symbol, was a particular source of contention among the state’s youth -- and economic developers’ relationships with business attraction. Large companies both within the United States and in the global sphere have demonstrated their hesitance to locate to a community that may make headlines for divisive racial implications. In June, the Mississippi legislature voted to change the state flag after 20 years of debate. Young people were instrumental in this change, as universities were among the first institutions in the state to refuse to fly the flag. The recent decision by the governor to remove the confederate symbol from the Mississippi state flag is likely to make minorities (specifically Black people) feel more comfortable and large businesses more willing to invest in a state with progressive values, which in turn boosts foreign direct investment and the economy in general. 

Workforce Attraction and Development 

According to a study done by Weichart, early millennials (ages 22-28) are far more mobile than their predecessors and Generation Z even more so. The ongoing trend is to move somewhere that you want to work and then find a job there. Therefore, to attract a talented workforce in today’s world, communities have to keep up with social issues. The recent cry for police reform has shown that Generation Z is willing to look at municipal police budgets and minority business programs to understand how a local government treats its citizens. Gen Zers are far more likely to move somewhere they feel comfortable, and that represents their views. 

How can Economic Developers Help? 

According to a Business Insider survey, 90 percent of Gen Zers support the Black Lives Matter movement, and 72 percent expect their communities to address the situation brought to light by the George Floyd protests. While police reform may seem extreme to some people, this is an expected and welcome change to Gen Zers and will be one of the important factors when they consider where they want to live.  Through technical assistance for minority-owned businesses, revolving loan funds, English As Second Language courses for immigrants, and more, economic developers can align their efforts with anti-racist policies and help provide opportunities for minorities. Economic developers can also provide education and an economic framing of progressive policies to their local governments that are aiming to attract a younger population to their communities.

For economic development, thinking ahead is essential. Engaging young people, understanding their demands and perspectives, and finding tangible ways to support them has never been more important. Economic developers need to put their money where their mouth is, and fight for economic equality to serve the future of their community. If active steps are not taken today, communities may see young people leave and not return, resulting in disinvestment and a lack of workforce.