The Brain Drain in Michigan

The Detriot Free Press reports:

Michigan lost thousands of young adults in the first half of the decade, according to population estimates released today that provide new evidence of the state's economic slide.

The state ranked 49th in the nation in retaining young adults, losing 22,000 between 2000 and 2005, according to a Detroit News analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.

"This is serious stuff," said population expert Kurt Metzger. "It's really a problem, and it's not one of those quick-fix things."

Metzger, who analyzes social policy for the United Way of Southeast Michigan, said the departure of young people threatens a downward spiral: lack of jobs chases young talent from the state, making employers less likely to add jobs here, which in turn chases more young adults away.

Ryan Post will join the exodus next week, when she and two other recent Michigan State University graduates move to Charlotte, N.C.

"I started applying for advertising jobs on Monster.com, and the responses I got were like five to one from North Carolina over Michigan," said Post, 22, of Midland, who graduated in May with an advertising degree.

"We're young. We figure now's the time to go. Hopefully, with some experience under my belt, I could move back. But I feel like right now there aren't a lot of opportunities for graduates in our field."

The "brain drain" of young, educated adults has become one of Michigan's biggest political issues. In 2004, Gov. Jennifer Granholm started the Cool Cities program, an attempt to make Michigan more attractive to hip young people. Granholm's Republican opponent, Dick DeVos, has criticized the governor's approach and made retaining young adults a centerpiece of his economic agenda.

Education and business leaders are worried, too. A report last year on Michigan's economic future, led by former U-M President James Duderstadt, argued that reversing the flight of young graduates was crucial to an economic turnaround.

The 2000 census found about 1 million people ages 13-19 in Michigan. In 2005 -- when that group was in the 18-24 category -- their numbers had fallen by more than 22,000, based on the new population estimates. Only Ohio lost more young adults, and only West Virginia lost a higher percentage than Michigan's 2.2 percent decline.

Great moments in a Blue American state.