Local business leaders in Dayton are determined to help reverse the trend.
Steve Farkas, president of the New York-based FDR Group, said, “Especially in these challenging economic times, it is all about jobs, jobs, jobs and a fun and exciting place to live.”
Community leaders met at the Dayton Racquet Club on Tuesday morning, and were presented the survey results from the New York-based foundation.
The survey showed that barely more than 10 percent of college graduates in Ohio think the state has great prospects for jobs and employment.
In Dayton, students have seen the tough economy take a toll on the Miami Valley with the closing of the General Motors Moraine Assembly Plant and other parts plants, along with the recent announcement that NCR was moving its corporate headquarters to Georgia.
Iams also recently announced that it is moving jobs out of the Dayton area to a location south just north of Cincinnati.
Local leaders now have the job of trying to keep college graduates in the state.
Michael Ervin who is a downtown Dayton advocate said, “The want to go where there are jobs. The employers want to go where the kids want to live, work and play.”
And for those who have been pushing the idea that Dayton as a core, the center city, needs to be strong, the new report confirmed that students want a city that has a strong and cool urban feel, something that companies now consider when thinking about locating or relocating.