Reversing the Brain Drain

In the mid-1950s, North Carolina had the second-lowest per capita income in the US. The state's three major industries—furniture, textiles and tobacco—were losing steam. The state's best and brightest were leaving to find work elsewhere.

In the past 57 years, much has changed for the Tar Heel state. Per capita income has increased dramatically; recent statistics place North Carolina behind only Virginia and Florida in per capita income for the Southeast. Personal income levels continue to grow faster in North Carolina than in most of the country, and significantly faster than in most neighboring states. The reversal of fortune was no coincidence.

In the 1950s, North Carolina's leaders knew they had to find ways to invigorate the state's economy. They recognized that the potential of the universities was being lost—exported. For several years they hashed through plans that eventually became Research Triangle Park (RTP). In 1956, Governor Luther Hodges saw the possibilities for economic growth in those plans and embraced them by appointing the Research Triangle Committee.

One of the committee's first two employees, Mrs. Elizabeth Aycock, writes, “The simple reason for the creation of the concept that has made the Research Triangle was to diversify the economy. The other most important reason was to reverse the brain drain—the outmigration of our young people.”

In 1965, the Durham Herald published revealing information about the local economic impact of RTP. It demonstrated, in 1965 dollars, that for every 100 new employees in RTP, there would be 359 additional jobs, 91 new children enrolled in schools, $229,000 in new bank deposits, 3 new retail stores, 97 new automobiles and $331,000 in additional retail sales.

Dr. Albert Link, author of “A Generosity of Spirit: The Early History of the Research Triangle Park” writes: “The Research Triangle was conceived as an economic development plan to increase employment opportunities and diversify the North Carolina economy. By the end of 1965, all indications were that it was a success.”

That success depended on cooperation between the universities, corporate leaders and government officials. These groups with diverging goals and opinions united for the common good of North Carolina.

The economic revitalization already visible in the early years has continued to grow, positively affecting the entire state. Today, RTP is consistently cited as a model for how research universities can impact local economies. “Without question, Research Triangle Park has been an unequaled effort in economic development, providing both employment opportunities and international visibility for the state as a whole,” writes Dr. Link.

“Graduate Education and the Public Good,” a report produced by the Council of Graduate Schools, proves that the economic foresight behind the creation of the Research Triangle still holds sway at local universities: North Carolina graduate schools continue to impact the economy and enrich the state.

In a section titled “Contributing to the Public Good at the State and Local Levels,” the report specifically highlights several successful efforts by UNC-Chapel Hill graduate students to knit graduate work with the local community. In this economic recession, North Carolina’s success will increasingly depend on the graduate students who become leaders and innovators, the state’s best resource. The trends suggest that North Carolina’s economy will continue to grow as long as healthy partnerships exist between higher education and industry.

It is safe to say that the brain drain has been reversed.

• Jeremy Cramer

Sources: “A Generosity of Spirit: The Early History of the Research Triangle Park” by Albert N. Link; “Forward thinking and follow-through made RTP a reality” by Jeanne P. Brewer, from Triangle Business Journal; “Graduate Education and the Public Good” by Council of Graduate Schools and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.