Anchor Tuscaloosa seeks to keep students close to home after graduation

A new program to encourage students to put down roots in Tuscaloosa after graduation is open to up to 40 participants in its inaugural year.

Anchor Tuscaloosa, a talent attraction and retention initiative, is a collaboration of the Alabama Economic Development Partnership (EDPA), the Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority, the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce and Visit Tuscaloosa.

Applications will be accepted until December 1st, and those accepted will be notified by December 20th. The free program is available to undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Alabama, Stillman College and Shelton State Community College who have completed at least 30 hours. of credit before New Year’s Eve.

Anchor Tuscaloosa is similar to Fuel Alabama, an initiative by Innovate Alabama and EPDA, which aims to reverse Alabama’s “brain drain” — the migration of Alabama graduates out of state after graduation.

A recent study found Alabama ranked 10th among states suffering the greatest “brain drain” losses, which concluded that the Southeast and parts of the Midwest were responsible for the greatest number of losses among college-educated residents. . Retain Alabama, a 2021 report, said Alabama only retains about 20% of its out-of-state college students a year after graduation.

The rate is better among in-state students, with about two-thirds staying a year after graduation — a number not worth bragging about. Forbes ranked Alabama as the third-worst state by that metric.

To change those numbers, Anchor Tuscaloosa will feature community-building activities through five sessions during the spring 2025 semester, organizers say.

Participants will stay in the Tuscaloosa area, interact with local and state elected officials, as well as figures from business and non-profit organizations. As a result, they will gain a deeper understanding of workforce opportunities and experience the quality of life in West Alabama.

“This program will enable us to interact with students who are very interested in pursuing postgraduate studies here. We are excited to showcase why Tuscaloosa County is a vibrant place to live and work,” said Justice Smyth, executive director of the Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority.

For more information, email [email protected] or sign up on the website.