Brain Gain Commission
While comprehensive plans aren't typically the most sexy story topics, the final draft of Lewis County’s countywide comprehensive plan does include one proposed action step that addresses a long-standing topic of discussion in this rural area. In the plan, consultants propose the creation of a “Brain Gain Commission” to discuss ways to stem the exodus of young people from the county. Or, as the phenomenon is more commonly known, brain drain.
Local politicos have long lamented the loss of the county’s best and brightest students to more job-heavy locales, many of them also having warmer climates and lower snowfall totals.
Ned Cole from the Lewis County Industrial Development Agency, during a recent conversation, suggested that many natives move away but eventually wish to return to be closer to relatives, raise a family, etc., and that jobs must be available for those folks, in particular.
Do you think a Brain Gain Commission (presumably consisting of volunteer board members already involved with education, economic development, workforce development, etc.) would be a useful exercise?
By the way, if you’re so inclined, you can look over the draft comprehensive plan here.
