Ohio must adapt to future to retain more college grads | Opinion - The Cincinnati Enquirer

Ohio must adapt to future to retain more college grads | Opinion

College grads leaving Ohio because state not forward-thinking enough | Opinion

As a friend of mine was excitedly sharing her post-graduate plan of moving to Washington, D.C., our professor unsurprised responded disappointedly, "Ah, you’re part of the brain drain." As my friends and I finalize our post-graduation plans from Miami University, our impact on the Ohio brain drain is palpable. Many of my friends are leaving Ohio, and many who are staying are not planning on doing so long-term.

The brain drain phenomenon in Ohio has been going on for years. And I commend Ohio lawmakers for finding ways to retain college grads. House Bill 514, known as the Graduating and Retaining Ohio’s Workforce Act, will give Ohio college graduates who stay full refunds on state income tax payments for three years among other incentives. The Ohio Housing Finance Agency’s (OHFA) Grants for Grads gives recent grads discounted mortgage interest rates. While these are innovative incentives, I believe these are Band-Aid solutions that do not address long-term issues affecting my generation.

Beyond culture war issues that vary on personal preferences, Ohio is consciously not acting on two broad yet critical aspects of our future: digitalization and climate change.

As we head into the post-industrial and digital age, does it not make sense for lawmakers to pursue an agenda that leads us into that era? I’m not saying lawmakers should not support traditional manufacturing or agricultural jobs, but they should do so while simultaneously developing the foundation for the future digital economy. The state should be applauded for attracting good-paying manufacturers. But Ohio is not laying the groundwork for the digital world and economy, like digital privacy laws.

Lawmakers should enact policies that make it easier for digital businesses and lifestyles adopted by young people to flourish such as promoting the use of fintech, e-payments, e-invoicing, and digital inclusivity. All while protecting Ohioans with comprehensive legislation on personal data protection, online consumer protection, and ethical Artificial Intelligence governance. This will put Ohio on par with the digital world with young people being the most immediate beneficiaries.

Putting aside the grave dangers climate change poses for Ohio, climate is an issue that impacts all spheres of life. As such, keeping the climate in mind on issues that we can agree are important like energy independence, improving and modernizing infrastructure, and improving quality of life is key to these solutions. Furthermore, an overwhelming majority of Gen Zers (69%) are anxious about the future because of climate change. Why should someone like me live in a place that does not prioritize, let alone act on, an issue that is extremely important to us?

Embracing climate policies is not only about adapting and mitigating climate change but also about modernization. Yet, Ohio has no statewide climate plan. Ohio not being part of the bipartisan Regional Electric Vehicle Midwest Coalition is an example of a missed opportunity on modernizing and electrifying Ohio’s transportation infrastructure network and making electric vehicles more accessible. Additionally, Ohio attracts many climate-related manufacturing industries like EV battery and solar panel manufacturing. There is clearly a demand for these products, so why does the state not incentivize greater use of these products which in turn enhances this new industry in Ohio? Climate change should be addressed not only because of the threat it poses, but also because having a climate-conscious government, economy, and society is part of future ways to conduct business, pursue sustainable economic development, and live.

Today’s political environment is tumultuous. But beyond that, the reality is Ohio is not preparing for the future and it is that idea that ultimately pushes young people to seek futures elsewhere. Low cost of living, ample job opportunities, and a proposed tax refund does not solve the problem that this state is not forward-thinking. The best way to retain young people in the long-term is to provide an ecosystem that adapts and addresses 21st-century needs.

Nicolas Hollander is a resident of Indian Hill and a recent graduate of Miami University.