The Fayetteville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce has a simple strategy for keeping young people in the city: show them there are other professionals here just like them. “From an economic development perspective, our students are graduating and
moving elsewhere because of a lack of jobs,” says Kristie Meave, the Chamber’s senior vice president for marketing and communications. “They may be moving because they don’t perceive Fayetteville as a fun place to be. We think by getting them
engaged in the community, providing them an opportunity to create more friendships and possibly finding a job
through networking, we’ll keep more of them.” The Fayetteville Young Professionals got its start in April 2009. A steering committee
of 20 people was formed the next month and a launch party was held that summer. Now, the group has celebrated its first anniversary and a year packed with professional development seminars and social functions. During that first year, membership drives exceeded organizers’ expectations; more
than 450 people joined and officers are hoping for a group of 600 in the year to come. “This age group is the one that’s going to have the impact in the 2010 to 2020 range,”
said Kirk deViere, the group’s inaugural chairman. “Why not socially engage them? Seeing this vibrant group of young people energizes the community.”
know more? Visit
www.fayyp.org or follow the
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