Mark Lautman has written a book for us—this time and this place. ―When the Boomers Bail‖
describes what communities of like-minded individuals can do to thrive into the future. It is
a cautionary work backed by demographic expertise and case studies. Citing a state known
as ―labor starvation,‖ Lautman examines the behind-the-scenes mechanics of what happens
when communities hit full employment of their qualified workforce. On the surface the book
is about economic development. A deeper understanding helps the reader understand his or
her position in the battle for immediate talent in the workforce.
Indeed, workforce attraction and development is the primary theme throughout the case
studies presented in the text. Helping communities survive in the age of globalism is Mark
Lautman’s mission. His book begs the question, ―Through which lens are you viewing your
community’s current economic status?‖
―We must learn how to manage the factors of production in our communities for workforce
development – in much the same way we try to manage the factors of production to attract
and maintain employers,‖ says Lautman.
Mark Lautman is no stranger to economic development. In addition to being the founding
director of the Community Economics Lab, Lautman’s consulting business works with
community leaders to identify the relationship between community-based economics and
workforce development. See http://sarahc22.sg-host.com/about-2/ for biographical
information about Mark Lautman.
Lautman provides solutions, too. What does it ―look like‖ when people want to live and
consciously choose to live in communities where they work? Read Lautman’s book to
discover the key metrics of community quality. Lautman stresses that these factors must
improve every year to scaffold community prosperity and longevity. Key ―players‖ in
community economic survival will require unprecedented cooperation between business,
industry, government and education–bringing influences together to develop the available
workforce.
The Iowa Lakes Corridor is sponsoring discussions with Lautman in August. They are
scheduled for Monday, August 19th, 9-11 a.m. at King’s Pointe Resort in Storm Lake; noon-2
p.m., 3-5 p.m., and 5:30-7 p.m. at the Clay County Regional Events Center in Spencer; and
on Tuesday, August 20th, 8-10 a.m. and 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at The SAMI Center in Spirit Lake.
Please call, sign up under our ―Events‖ tab or email if you plan to attend. For more
information (712.264.3474 or info@lakescorridor.com). When the Boomers Bail: A Community Economic Survival Guide‖ is available from your local
public library, the Iowa Lakes Corridor office in Spencer, Hill Avenue Book Store in Spirit
Lake, or in digital form on Amazon.com.