For some cash-strapped cities and towns, one answer to budgetary woes has been to focus on attracting retirees, a group that doesn’t require a huge outlay to pay for schools.
But communities cannot remain sustainable with only an aging population, which is particularly the trend in northwest Wisconsin.
“Demographics are a giant problem in this state,” said Mark O’Connell, executive director of the Wisconsin Counties Association. “The last time we had as few births as we have today was in 1943. We are not creating enough young people. We don’t attract them, we don’t grow them, we don’t keep them.”
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O’Connell spoke about demographic challenges to the Superior Days delegation of northwest Wisconsin boosters in Madison last February. He joined WPR’s Robin Washington on “Morning Edition” afterward to elaborate on his comments.
This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Robin Washington: What have you noticed about the demographics of the region and the state?
Mark O’Connell: We don’t have enough young people. We need to look at how we can create an environment where we can attract and keep our smart young talent. We need to ask ourselves what makes our communities attractive to the smart young talent of today. It’s very different from what made our communities attractive to the smart young talent of yesteryear.
RW: You described yourself as a baby boomer.
MO: Yes, and as baby boomers, we graduated and moved to where there was a job. Today, our smart young talent are going to where life is attractive to them and finding a job once they get there. It’s a very different philosophy.
What’s attractive to them are places where there is nightlife, diversity, walkability and continuing education. And it’s not just urban communities.
RW: Can that happen in northwest Wisconsin?
MO: The Superior region can absolutely be one of those areas.
RW: Is part of the solution improving our public relations? In Superior, you do hear people say, “It’s aging and there’s not much to do here.”
MO: A major part is self-promotion. Every corner of the state has unique elements of beauty. Superior and Douglas County have some secret gems that they absolutely ought to be publicizing.
RW: Is part of the solution not trying to be everything to everybody but instead accentuating what you do have? It’s pretty hard not to celebrate Lake Superior.
MO: Yes. You need to look at what your assets are and promote them.
If you have an idea about something in northern Wisconsin you think we should talk about on “Morning Edition,” send it to us at northern@wpr.org.
