Document Type
Professional Plan Capstone
Original Publication Date
2025
Client
Shenandoah Valley Partnership
Location
Shenandoah Valley
Date of Submission
May 2025
Abstract
This study examines the development of a comprehensive talent information system for the Shenandoah Valley Partnership (SVP), addressing the region’s prioritized need for talent attraction and retention. Through a mixed-methods approach combining literature review, demographic analysis, and qualitative interviews with comparable regional economic development organizations, the research identifies effective strategies for collecting, managing, and analyzing workforce data. The Shenandoah Valley region, comprising twelve localities in Virginia, faces challenges in educational attainment and healthcare provision despite possessing significant natural and cultural assets. Findings reveal three key components for effective talent information systems: (1) ambassador programs that provide qualitative insights on regional attraction factors, (2) structured data collection from departing and potential talent to understand migration motivations, and (3) comprehensive inventories of quality-of-life amenities that differentiate the region. The research indicates that successful talent information systems balance sophisticated data needs with practical implementation constraints, often utilizing accessible public data sources rather than exclusively relying on costly proprietary databases. Based on these findings, the study recommends a three-goal implementation strategy: enhancing SVP’s ambassador program to collect richer qualitative data, establishing systematic approaches to understanding talent outflow, and leveraging collected data to highlight regional strengths. This framework offers a replicable model for rural and small metropolitan regions seeking to enhance talent attraction efforts through evidence-based approaches that align with organizational capacity constraints.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects
