A Joint Initiative Between     Heart of Wisconsin     Business & Economic Alliance and     Community Foundation of Greater     South Wood County

Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News September 1, 2004 By Colin Atagi, Daily Tribune Staff Central Wisconsin communities will have to be innovative if they want to attract young people, a national speaker told about 150 south Wood County and town of Rome residents Tuesday. When they're deciding where they'd like to move, many young adults consider factors like jobs, learning opportunities, nightlife, cost of living and the involvement of people in their community, said Rebecca Ryan, founder of Madison-based Next Generation Consulting. Those attractions don't need to come from the same community, though, Ryan said. It's common for residents to travel to and spend time in neighboring areas, strengthening the entire region in the process, she said. "If you want to be relevant, you have to think outside the box, because the next generation thinks regionally," said Ryan, 31, the United States Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship's 2004 Entrepreneur of the Year. Ryan, a national speaker, gave her presentation at the Performing Arts Center in Wisconsin Rapids. It was the second installment of the New Ideas guest speaker series. The series is part of the Community Progress Initiative, a three-year program organized by the Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance and the Community Foundation of South Wood County to enhance the local economy and to build optimism in the area. There's a reason communities should have a strong interest in attracting young people, Ryan said. By 2006, two employees will leave for every new worker, and by 2008, there will be a national shortage of 10 million workers, increasing the need to bring in young adults, she said. A combination of jobs and places for recreation are integral to drawing the younger crowd, said Wisconsin Rapids resident, Jeanine Schneider, 25. "Jobs are a big thing, because you need to have money to spend on recreation," she said. Attracting young people is a good goal, said Wisconsin Rapids resident Diane Miller. The community can only benefit from having members of multiple generations, she added. "I think people are coming out of schools and are thinking out of the box," she said. "That, (combined) with the experience (of the previous generation) is a good blend." Younger generations tend to take different approaches in the work place, Ryan said. "Different generations see the world differently," she said. Adults in their mid-to-late 20s tend to be more self-sufficient, skeptical, savvy and swift compared to members of the previous generation at the same age, Ryan said. The next presentation for the New Ideas speaker series is scheduled for Oct. 26. Leon Ostrowski, a business consultant from Stevens Point, will speak on the development of businesses from science and technology. You can reach Colin Atagi at 422-6728 or at catagi@wisconsinrapidstribune.com.
		Copyright © 2005, Community Progress Initiative, South Wood County & Town of Rome