Ex-Residents Are Gone, But They’re Not Forgotten

Across the country, in an effort to repopulate declining work forces, several states are going after former residents.

South Dakota isn’t for everyone. So when the state crafted a program to attract new workers, it targeted people already familiar with its freezing winters and open spaces: the thousands of South Dakotans who leave every year.

The result is "Dakota Roots," a year-old job-placement service that matches expatriate South Dakotans with companies that need workers.

Last fall, North Dakota launched a program called "Experience ND" with an event in St. Paul, Minn. Vermont has "PursueVT." Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack organized and attended receptions around the country for Iowa college grads who moved away.

By Conor Dougherty

From The Wall Street Journal Online

Full Story: http://www.careerjournal.com/salaryhiring/hotissues/20080102-dougherty.html?cjcontent=mail