States Recruit Worried Californians (They Use That Bad Word)

Several Western states are launching aggressive efforts to poach jobs, talent and industry from California, sensing an opportunity to capitalize on the Golden State's current political and financial woes.

Colorado is the first out of the box with a Valentine-themed banner that will trail behind an airplane circling rush-hour traffic in Los Angeles on Friday morning, urging Californians to give Colorado a try. Ads in newspapers from San Diego to San Jose will feature a Cupid in ski boots over a bold-faced tease: "California, can you feel Colorado's love?"

Hundreds of California CEOs will receive flowery Valentine's Day cards proclaiming, "Mile High State Seeks Sea-Level Executive." The campaign even includes a YouTube video of Tom Clark, executive vice president of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp., kissing the envelopes before depositing them lovingly into a mailbox. More here.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Glenn on February 17, 2009 at 5:04pm

Maureen,

Did they mention any names of the targeted CEO's? I would be curious to know which Industry sector was being "courted".

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Permalink Reply by Maureen Sharib on February 17, 2009 at 5:17pm

I included the link to the article above.
Over the years, many states have lured jobs and investment from California. But economist David Neumark has concluded that corporate moves accounted for only a fraction of the total jobs lost in California earlier this decade.

Especially in this recession, with major corporations shedding jobs by the tens of thousands, poaching a company here or there won't show up as "anything but a drop in the bucket," said Mr. Neumark, a professor at University of California, Irvine.

For all its difficulties, California retains some distinct advantages -- and not just the beaches. Zach Nelson, the CEO of software firm NetSuite Inc., recently opened a regional hub in Denver and says it has been great for his sales. But he wouldn't consider moving his headquarters out of San Mateo, Calif.

"From a DNA standpoint, all people do in Silicon Valley all day long is think about starting a company," Mr. Nelson said. "They don't think about skiing."