We quote our friend Joe Cortright, Portland, OR, economist and thinker, on this blog frequently.

As a result, we invite you to watch this video of him speaking to University Park Alliance in Akron, Ohio, on a subject near and dear to us but also a subject that should be on a front burner for Memphis:  “Attracting Talent Through the Development of Vibrant Urban Centers.”

University Park Alliance features “these thought-provoking national experts (who) will challenge us toward new thinking and imaginative action around the
creation of vibrant urban centers.”

Meanwhile, CEOs for Cities Board Member and Chief Strategist for the City of San Jose Kim Walesh proposed 3 key forces of change that will be important for cities in a speech to the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce:

1) The battle for talent will escalate, with young professionals age 20 to 24 being the key to prosperity.  Immigrants will be essential for workforce growth, especially in Silicon Valley where more than half the founders of tech companies are foreign-born.

2) To compete globally, cities must have educated workers. By 2025, two of every five jobs will require a college degree.

3) Cities can provide environmental solutions by planning for walkability instead of cars.