Regional Organization Focusing St. Louis on Future

The St. Louis region lags behind a number of metropolitan areas including Austin, Portland, Atlanta, and Indianapolis in attracting 20- to 34-year olds to live and work in the region, according to a report released this month by the regional, nonprofit organization, FOCUS St. Louis.

Preparing St. Louis for Leadership in the 21st Century Economy is the result of a year-long effort by a citizen-based FOCUS St. Louis task force. The 27-member group concluded the St. Louis region must be more effective in attracting and retaining young knowledge workers in order for the region to thrive and compete in the 21st Century economy.

The task force report says citizens, employers, educators, and government and civic leaders must recognize the impending crisis and take steps to capitalize on, connect, and better market the area's resources to meet the needs of young knowledge workers. This includes, according to the report, increasing venture capital, expanding green space, creating a new, regional brand image targeted at young knowledge workers, and making St. Louis a vibrant region. More importantly, the task force noted that St. Louis already has many of the resources needed to compete in the 21st Century economy; however, these resources need to be better coordinated.

For more information or to download a copy of this report, visit http://www.focus-stl.org