Civil Municipal Magazine Aug 2023

82 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8 city plans to host similar events in the future. However, the challenges persist, particularly with entry-level positions. The city faces an issue with recruiting the younger demographic, an age group that historically filled these roles. Higgins reflects on a stark contrast with previous years, mentioning that during the 2007-2008 recession, “any job we had come open was filled immediately and we had the pick of the crop.” He identifies a generational shift in attitudes towards employment as the root of this issue. “It’s a generational issue where kids are not looking for jobs that have 40-hour weeks and benefits,” he explains. Instead, they prefer jobs that offer quick cash, with the flexibility to leave and return at will. Collaborations with local educational institutions such as the University of North Georgia and Lanier Tech have been initiated. However, the positions that these apprenticeships might fill, typically in technology, aren’t those experiencing high turnover. Instead, it’s the “boots on the ground, labor jobs” where turnover is high and the city grapples with maintaining a steady workforce. As Higgins says, these roles typically don’t lend themselves to formal apprenticeships but rather demand on-the-job training. Nurturing Business Growth: Cumming’s Competitive Advantage Cumming, Georgia, is not just a welcoming home for its residents; it’s also a nurturing environment for businesses. According to City Administrator Higgins, Cumming’s strength lies in its established businesses and the potential to attract new ones. The city’s portfolio boasts a few major employers, including Tyson Foods, Cooke Foods, Solney, Emc, and Northside Hospital, companies with whom Cumming has developed strong partnerships. Incentives from the city are not always monetary. Higgins reveals, “There are no city taxes, no property taxes in the city of Cumming.” Yet, despite this, businesses continue to receive the same services from the city as they would