Headlines in the Midlands
Partnership to Make Columbia Region Competitive in Talent Economy
Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce and Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR) form Strategic Partnership to Attract, Engage and Retain Young Professionals
COLUMBIA, SC – July 12, 2010 - Building a talent-powered economy is key to creating a prosperous regional economy. The Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce and Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR) announced a strategic partnership focused on attracting, engaging and retaining top talent and young professionals that will position the Columbia region for economic success for years to come.
This new alliance will create a shared executive position for COR and the Chamber. The chamber's Vice President of Leadership Development and Community Involvement will be dedicated to attracting and retaining top talent and facilitating leadership opportunities for young professionals. The new vice president will function as the executive director for COR and oversee the chamber's Leadership Columbia program and Leadership Columbia Alumni Association. COR will be housed in the chamber, but will retain its independent 501 (c) 3 status. Reciprocal relationships will exist on the boards of both organizations to facilitate the partnership.
The partnership is made possible in part by funds provided by the City of Columbia through the chamber's Navigating from Good to Great Foundation. "The Navigating from Good to Great Foundation is excited by the opportunity to provide financial assistance to promote the aims of the Columbia Talent Magnet Project. The future success of the Columbia region will directly depend on retaining and attracting great young professionals and business people. The partnership between COR and the Columbia Chamber is a significant stride in this direction," said foundation chairman Ted Speth, managing shareholder of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart.
The goals of the partnership include:
- Increasing higher education attainment rates
- Increasing volunteerism, philanthropy, and engagement of young professionals
- Increasing retention rates for graduates from our higher education institutions
- Integrating young professionals into the civic, social, and cultural fabric of our community
- Integrating talent attraction and retention into the region's economic development strategy
Research shows that the retention of educated young professionals is directly linked with higher per capita income, better business growth and higher rates of community involvement. "Last year, COR had a $120,000 impact through charitable giving, programs and volunteer services. By partnering with the Chamber, we have a vehicle to increase that impact and play a stronger role in making Columbia a place in which young professionals want to live, work, play and give back," said Greg Hilton, senior project manager with EngenuitySC and chairperson of COR.
The new partnership allows both organizations to take advantage of the tremendous synergy that already exists between COR and Leadership Columbia. "Developing a younger, more global constituency for the Chamber is one of the key elements of the chamber's new strategic plan," said C. Grant Jackson, the chamber's senior vice president for community development. "Partnering with COR will further integrate young professionals into the Chamber and provide an opportunity to serve the needs of a new constituency of young business and community leaders. The end result will be a more vibrant and prosperous community," Jackson said.
Read the Columbia Talent Magnet Project report at http://columbiatalent.com. Visit http://www.ourcor.org or http://columbiachamber.com for additional information.
About COR:
COR: Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR) is an innovative volunteer-based 501 (c)(3) community development organization focused on engaging and connecting the next generation of Columbians to make our city a better place to live, learn, work, and play. http://www.ourcor.org.
About the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce:
The mission of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce is to help create and promote an environment where businesses can flourish. Through an integrated series of programs and services, the Chamber provides tangible benefits to more than 2000 members that will increase their ability to grow and prosper. http://www.columbiachamber.com.
About Leadership Columbia
The Leadership Columbia (LC) program provides existing and emerging leaders with opportunities to enhance their civic knowledge and civic network. For more than 30 years, this program has helped participants better understand how our community works, build relationships with the region's current and future leaders and become inspired to focus talents in a way that will best serve the community. Program graduates receive training, networking and community service opportunities through the Leadership Columbia Alumni Association.
