Young Daytonians want more jobs, entertainment options for region

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By Lynn Hulsey Staff Writer Updated 7:07 PM Saturday, April 18, 2009

DAYTON - Organizers of Dayton’s Young Creatives Summit hope to begin work in May on at least four ideas on how to make the region more attractive to young, creative people, said Scott Murphy, co-chair of updayton.

The organization is a civic engagement group working to attract and retain young talent, with an eye toward improving economic development and opportunities.

On Saturday, April 18, about 200 registrants and dozens of representatives of colleges, business, civic groups, and other organizations gathered for the summit and resource fair at the Dayton Convention Center.

Participants came up with a long list of ideas for projects involving jobs, entrepreneurship, community involvement, quality neighborhoods, schools and nightlife. They voted electronically and the four most popular ideas will be part of an action plan launch May 4-7, Murphy said. The four selected ideas will be available later today.

Patrick Hill, 29, of Dayton, said he’s hoping to see more entertainment options develop in Dayton, particularly downtown.

Darryl Lewis, 32, who moved here a year ago from Detroit, is also interested in finding more activities to be involved in. But as a father of two he also thinks that a strong focus on quality education is important for the region to attract and keep young people.

Topping the list of needs, according to several participants interviewed, are jobs.

“I look at Dayton and I say it doesn’t look too much different than Detroit. Just smaller,” Lewis said.

The four topics that the group voted on to tackle are:

• Community Programs for Youth: Particularly targeting youth who are in the downtown areas after school and engaging them in activities that are especially coordinated for them.

• Communication Hub: Web-based information source about all regional events and items unique to the region. Site would also provide an inventory of all Dayton region attributes (events, parks, cultural opportunities, etc.)

• Grow Downtown Dayton: Work in partnership with city and business leaders to focus on downtown Dayton in demonstrating more reasons to enjoy the region (such as places to live, eat, and shop). Goal is to promote and attract popular venues/entertainment options to the center of the city.

• Wayne Ave. Corridor: Create a more interesting, colorful and lively corridor with a well-lit walkway along Wayne between Third and Fifth streets. Work with businesses to clean up and provide unique options.

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