Shane Liebler did an excellent job in Friday's paper capturing the discussion Thursday at the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce luncheon (“An upside to the economic decline”).

Your chamber is unusually vigorous and effective - and a key concern for those present was to identify ways to attract our young people back to Upstate New York.

As you reported, I mentioned the importance of employers networking with family, friends and co-workers to identify young people who have moved away, but who might be interested in coming back home for the right job opportunity.

Another tip, which I did not mention, is to place employments ads on the web sites of hometown newspapers (such as auburnpub.com). I've been told repeatedly that young people who've moved away - but who retain an interest in home - are regular, repeat visitors to such sites. Which makes these sites a great way of getting their attention. And, perhaps, of getting them back home.

David Shaffer

Albany

Shaffer is president of the Public Policy Institute, The Business Council of New York State Inc.