Baton Rouge LA – BR Toolkit Baton Rouge , Louisiana created a toolkit that allows prospective residents to explore the area and compare it to others ( including their current community ). They hired a dedicated Talent Development Director who works with local companies recruiting talent from outside the community . The Talent Development Director provides tours of the area for these job candidates and has a 94 % success rate at securing these candidates for local businesses . to workers . Leverage social media consistently and ensure a positive and interactive web presence promoting the lifestyle and jobs in your community .
• Partnerships to support talent relocation : Consider avenues to partner with local businesses to support their efforts to recruit new staff . Consider creating a welcome package or toolkit to support relocation , or a concierge service or famil tours .
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
MICHAEL CAMPBELL , ACEcD Michael is a Director with Lucid Economics and has over 20 years of experience in economic development . Michael advises local and state governments around the country in regard to economic development , investment attraction , marketing , tourism development and land use planning . Michael also provides advice and analysis to property developers , investors and corporate end users . He is a member of the International Advisory Committee with the International Economic Development Council . .
JUAN PABLO ALCANTAR , MDS Juan Pablo is an economic development professional with experience working for the public and private sectors , as well as consulting for multiple international organizations in different world regions .
Currently he serves as a Board Member at the International Economic Development Council and is a Senior Policy Advisor at the Tuxpan Economic Development Council . He was Director of the Economic Development Department at the City and Port of Tuxpan in Mexico , and advises local and regional authorities from different countries on economic development policy and best practices .
THE AUSTRALIAN RESPONSE The attitude of workers in Australia is similar to their North American counterparts . A survey of Australian workers conducted by PWC found that while remuneration and reward is the most important aspect of their job , wellbeing is just behind .
• Workforce development : Don ’ t forget to work with local education and training providers to ensure you are developing and producing top local talent .
Figure 7 . Key Factors for Attracting Digital Nomad Workers
SO HOW IS YOUR COMMUNITY GOING TO WIN THE WAR FOR TALENT ? Increasingly , the availability of a talented workforce will become a key location factor for businesses . There are a number of ways that you can bolster your community ’ s ability to attract a highly skilled workforce :
• Focus on placemaking and community development : Lifestyle is not a key decision factor for workers . Ensuring that your community has all the necessary ingredients ( i . e . housing , healthcare , education ) as well as a range of recreational and leisure pursuits will be important . A continued focus on placemaking and improving liveability will be a solid investment .
• Targeted and meaningful marketing and promotion : Target your message to emphasise your communities unique lifestyle factors that may appeal
Source : PWC ( 2022 )
Meet the author and join the panel discussion at NEDC2022
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT JOURNAL VOL 15 NO 2 2022 15