Will They Stay or Will They Go? Community Features Important in Migration Decisions of Recent University Graduates

Abstract

Rural regions of the United States have experienced detrimental out-migration, or brain drain, of college-educated individuals. The present study used survey data, gathered with an interactive website tool containing a comprehensive collection of economic and lifestyle features, to determine those most important in migration decisions for public university graduating seniors from the rural state of Iowa. Economic features (overall cost of living and a strong local economy) were ranked as the top features, followed by lifestyle features including two surprising features (access to basic consumer goods and access to health facilities). The impact of individual differences on the likelihood of moving and the selection of desired community features was also examined and proved to be statistically significant. For instance, in comparison with female graduates, male graduates selected educational level of residents and higher percentage of nonmarried residents features more frequently. Implications for policy development and marketing and economic development strategies are discussed.

The Triple Bottom Line and Sustainable Economic Development Theory and Practice

“…Investigations into the process and efficacy of economic development have also brought attention to the interplay of social and environmental factors in economic development. This includes, for example, research on such topics as quality of life and placemaking (Fiori et al, 2015;Florida, 2014;Wlodarczak, 2012), equitable development (Bennett & Giloth 2007;Benner & Pastor, 2014;Krumholz, 1991), early childhood development (Bartik, 2011;Jenkins 2014), social capital (Casey, 2012(Casey, , 2014Oh, Lee, & Bush, 2014;Woolcock, 1998), incentive reform (Bartik, 2005;Osgood, Opp, & Bernotsky, 2012;Peters & Fisher, 2004;Reese, 2014;Zheng & Warner, 2010), and green, energy-based, and sustainable economic development (Carley, Lawrence, Brown, Nourafshan, & Benami, 2011;Greenwood & Holt, 2010;Harper-Anderson, 2012;Martin & Mayer, 2008;Opp & Osgood, 2013;Portney, 2003;Roberts & Cohen, 2002;Seidman, 2011).…”

Obtaining a "Global Lens" through International Service Learning: A Framework for Family Science Courses

“…Yet, if these women were to acquire more education, rural communities often lack employment opportunities that encourage, retain, or attract educated individuals. Rural areas experience a brain drain as college educated individuals leave nonmetropolitan counties for higher salaries and more rewarding jobs in urban areas (Carr & Kefalas, 2009;Estes et al, 2016;Fiore et al, 2015). Therefore, rural economic development strategies must emphasize strong local economies along with access to health facilities, proximity to higher education, and access to basic goods in order to support employment opportunities that promote income security for all residents (Fiore et al, 2015).…”

“…Rural areas experience a brain drain as college educated individuals leave nonmetropolitan counties for higher salaries and more rewarding jobs in urban areas (Carr & Kefalas, 2009;Estes et al, 2016;Fiore et al, 2015). Therefore, rural economic development strategies must emphasize strong local economies along with access to health facilities, proximity to higher education, and access to basic goods in order to support employment opportunities that promote income security for all residents (Fiore et al, 2015). Employers in rural communities should adopt policies and practices, such as flexible work arrangements, that support working mothers and promote work-family balance (Berry et al, 2008).…”

“…Rural mothers experienced multiple barriers to employment including lack of education and their own and/or a family member's poor physical health and chronic health conditions. Strategies to support human capital development among rural residents include offering college scholarships, tax incentives for science and technology graduates, and paid internships (Fiore et al, 2015).…”

Identifying opportunities for latino bi-cultural entrepreneurship in Iowa: A community capitals approach to economic development

“…Flora and Flora (2008) noted that communities empowered with a full set of resources have a tendency to develop vigorous and sustainable neighborhoods and to grow economically. Brain-drain is an issue that hinders many of the small and rural communities in Iowa (Carr & Kefalas, 2009;Fiore, et al, 2015;Schulte, 2011). However, in this study, community leaders indicated that BCEs brought new blood to fledgling small and rural communities which helped to prevent some of the population decline.…”