Friday, May 03, 2013

Talent Retention Subsidies

Latest post at Pacific Standard magazine.

Theme: A look at the efficacy of policies designed to plug the brain drain.

Subject Article: "Michigan 'brain drain' bill would give tax credits to college graduates who stay in state, pay loans."

Other Links: 1. "Anatomy of an Ohio Brain Drain Boondoggle."
2. "Michigan Talent Economy."
3. "Talent Migration Models"

Postscript: The underlying issue for regional talent management is xenophobia. Local talent is better than talent from elsewhere. Generally, the opposite is true. Parochial talent pools are more risk averse, less entrepreneurial. A good example is the critique of Kansas Rural Opportunities Zones:

Program proponents say the incentives will improve the quality of rural communities and increase the labor pool. But state Sen. Marci Francisco says the program benefits people from outside the community while doing nothing to help those who have been there from the beginning.

Benefit locals first is really benefit locals only. Economic development is myopic. A focus on individual talent, instead of place, is more effective.

1 comment:

Allen said...

I love the contrast between what you're writing about and some of the articles the CMS they use _thinks_ are simlar to what you just wrote, like why straight women are attracted to gay men. :)

http://screencast.com/t/GrKK2czbg7k