Economist tells Akron group that attracting talent is key to thriving cities

By Bill Lilley

Ohio.com

Posted on 12:04 on Thursday, Jan 14, 2010

Economist Joe Cortright believes in vibrant urban cities.

The president of Impresa Economics and author of the book Young and Restless was the opening speaker Tuesday night in the three-part University Park Alliance Urban Innovators Speaker Series at the historic Andrew Jackson House. About 80 businessmen, educators and civic leaders attended the session.

Although he was sick and didn't get a chance to see Akron prior to his presentation, Cortright said he was confident that the principles he's promoting will provoke enough thought to make a difference.

''I had a chance to go on a tour, but I was so sick I couldn't get out of my room,'' said Cortright, of Portland, Ore.

''I'm a talent-attraction expert,'' said Cortright. ''I know that the quality of life in a city is very important in [the ability] to anchor talent to that city.''

Akron Deputy Mayor Dave Lieberth said he was pleased with Cortright's presentation, Attracting Talent Through the Development of Vibrant Urban Cities.

''He did a very good job summarizing where cities are today,'' Lieberth said.

''He reaffirmed with great statistics what we have been doing [in Akron]. . . . It was great to see that our development efforts are on the right track,'' Lieberth said. ''The research he has done supports what we have done to retain young people in our community.''

Cortright listed the four key components vital to a city: talent, innovation, connection and distinctiveness.

''That's a framework, not a recipe,'' Cortright said. ''And every city is in a slightly different situation.''

Cortright said innovation, which is represented by new ideas, is important.

''Places with a lot of educated people are a fount of new ideas,'' he said.

New ideas alone aren't enough, he said.

''You have to connect researchers and their ideas to the business that can turn them into a success,'' he said.

And a city has to have distinctiveness — things that define it and set it apart.

One of the key questions, Cortright said, is, ''Are you open to new people and new ideas?''

Mostly, he said, a city must have talent.

Therein lies the rub.

''It's not enough to educate your young people; you also have to pay attention to talent,'' Cortright said. ''You must build a community that makes them want to stay. That's a big challenge in the region because the most mobile tend to be the most entrepreneurial.''

Cortright said ''close-in neighborhoods are the key to keeping young talent. Young people are much more likely to choose to live in close-in neighborhoods.''

Dr. Luis Proenza, president of the University of Akron, said he is proud of the region's ability to keep UA's products.

''We have 28,000 students each year at the University of Akron,'' he said, ''and 85 percent will stay in the region after they graduate.

''We realize with the young, educated people that location matters. So long as they stay in the region, because it's the region that defines our economy and will define the long-term economic vitality for us all.''

Lieberth said Cortright's focus on education brings hope that ''it will rekindle interest in the scholarship program that Mayor [Don] Plusquellic proposed.''

City voters in November 2008 rejected the idea of leasing Akron's sewer system to raise money for college funds.

Although Cortright preferred not to comment specifically about Akron due to his lack of exposure to the city during his 24 hours here, he was overtly optimistic about the future of U.S. cities in general.

''The key question is how do we create a good life,'' he said. ''We think that the place it will happen is in cities because of everything a city can offer.

''American cities are on the cusp of major change in the 21st century. It can happen in any city.''

The series sponsored by the University Park Alliance, a 50-block area surrounding the University of Akron, will continue Feb. 9 with a presentation by Chuck Bohl of the University of Miami. He will speak on Place Making: Developing Town Centers, Main Streets and Urban Villages.

The series will close March 9 with a presentation by Jason Schrieber, principal with Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates in Boston, on Mode Shift: Moving from Driving to Biking and Walking.

Bill Lilley can be reached at 330-996-3811 or blilley@thebeaconjournal.com.