I promise this is the only time I will share a chart from the otherwise one-dimensional New Geography website, but here’s an interesting local report about some economic trends in the state, focusing on workforce and the millennial generation.

Here’s one of the most interesting bits of data:

The key point here is that, in Greater Minnesota, there is a big transition underway between generations in the workforce. Here’s the conclusion from Chet Bodin, the DEED economist who authored the report:

What may be equally important to future migration patterns, however, is the qualitative nature of the millennial generation in the workplace, and whether parts of Greater Minnesota have the cultural flexibility to accommodate the new economic and technological norms millennials practice. After all, most migration to Greater Minnesota generates from the metro area, and millennials may not be as eager to move in their 30s and 40s as others are today. Fortunately, employers throughout Minnesota still have time to prepare for possible changes or even influence labor force trends. Cultural differences notwithstanding, the potential for a labor force shortage in the near future has employers looking to maximize their talent and attract workers.

What kinds of things might be done outstate to attract millennials?  The article focuses on wage and tech investments, but I can’t but wonder if there are some urban design dynamics to this trend as well.