The Huntsville Talent Magnet Report

In March 2005, the Huntsville Talent Magnet Report was released by the Committee of 100, Arts Council and Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville-Madison County. These three organizations each contributed $15,000 to develop this strategic plan to better attract and retain the young professional workforce, and are working together with Huntsville Young Professionals (HYP) to implement this plan.

• Support HYP efforts to develop special events and networking opportunities – Partners Committee
  Status: Membership has grown from 30 to 2,000; Advisory Council provides ongoing support with site location, sponsorship, project ideas and organization. Many local boards are now designating at least one slot for young professionals.
• Communicate to Redstone and NASA leadership the critical need to include positions in defense/aerospace contracts for professionals under 30 and co-op students – BRAC Committee, Mayor Spencer, Gen. Pillsbury
  Status: Defense contracts over $200,000 now include co-op positions paid by government; Presentations made to MSFC Center Director and defense command leadership to include positions for young professionals in contracts – ongoing communication with Washington to improve this process; More communication/meetings planned to communicate high-level of importance.
• Develop a major weekend event including an outdoor music festival and outdoor recreational events and advertise regionally to young professionals. Market to Space Camp alumni with additional activities at that site. – Huntsville Young Professionals / Big Spring Partners / Von Braun Center
  Status: Events being planned for 2007 along with Space Camp alumni weekends.
• Develop leadership development program for young professionals - Leadership Huntsville
  Status: Leadership Connect has graduated four classes of about 40 young professionals. Two classes per year now running.
• Develop and market internships nationwide for college students; Form a new organization for interns and summer college students to integrate them more into the local community and provide networking opportunities – Chamber of Commerce/Emyrge Council/HYP
  Status: Chamber has developed summer program to integrate interns into the community and provide social networking opportunities. Emyrge Council and HYP are providing student mentors for Alabama A&M students beginning fall 2006 with plans to expand the program to UAH and Oakwood; Leadership Bridges program is providing half-day events for interns to learn more about Huntsville-Madison County and opportunities to get involved.
• Encourage young professional network groups within local companies and coordination between all young professional groups in the community – Leadership Impact/Emyrge Council
  Status: Boeing program established; ADTRAN and ADCOM programs being developed; Other companies being recruited; Emyrge Council expanded to include representatives of all young professional organizations for improved communication and collaboration.
• Improve city websites to better attract young professionals – Chamber of Commerce, City, Convention & Visitors Bureau
  Status: New websites completed.
• Offer to young professionals entrepreneurial seminars on starting a new business – BizTech, TEAMS
  Status: Held at TEAMS conference in April 2005; 150 young professionals attended
• Develop a new national image campaign to attract young professionals to the community – Leadership Impact
  Status: Leadership Impact plans to work with the Benton Newton firm to develop a national advertising/PR plan to attract young professionals to community, and raise fund for implementation.
• Develop a website on all entertainment, cultural, athletic activities in the community – Emyrge Council
  Status: Emyrge Council is working with young professional groups and media partners to develop a website that is updated weekly.

The Partners Committee will continue to monitor and report on the plan’s implementation during the next few years. The Partners Committee includes representatives from four organizations – The Arts Council, Chamber of Commerce, Committee of 100 and Huntsville Young Professionals.

Click here to review the Executive Summary.
Click here to review the full Huntsville Talent Magnet Report.