Decade of cultural change invites more Millennials to Richmond
Richmond Times-Dispatch | July 29, 2017
EXCERPT: In June, an Urban Land Institute study ranked Richmond second in the country for its percentage growth of Millennials from 2010 to 2015. The city’s Millennial population grew 14.9 percent — or by 5,176 people — during the five-year time frame.
Richmond’s increased appeal to young people was intentional, said John Martin, the CEO of SIR, a Richmond-based strategic consultancy. Programs have sprung to integrate young newcomers to the city, and businesses try to attract a new consumer and employee pool.
“It’s taken a village to make us a Millennial town,” he said.
ChamberRVA Senior Vice President Chrystal Neal said they used SIR’s research to attract and retain more young professionals — and the strategy worked.
“The business community is thrilled,” said Neal. “Cities for the first time in our country’s history are competing with each other for young talent.”