As we consider the challenges facing the City of Fresno—our evolving economy, housing shortages, infrastructure demands, public safety—one critical issue lies at the intersection of these areas, but has long been overlooked: our brain drain.
“Brain drain” refers to the migration of educated, skilled individuals away from their home region in search of better opportunities elsewhere. When left unchecked, this trend will hinder a city’s economic growth and development.
Although no recent empirical study has focused specifically on Fresno, the 2018 Bloomberg Brain Drain Index ranked neighboring Hanford, CA, as the number one city in the U.S. experiencing this issue. The trends are similar in cities across the Central Valley, including Fresno. Our public education system invests in bright young minds, but too many of them leave to seek better opportunities in other parts of California.
On a more personal level, I’ve witnessed the realities of this brain drain firsthand. When I went to UCLA to pursue a Bachelor’s in Economics, I met numerous classmates and peers from Fresno County and other Central Valley regions. We often bonded over our shared experiences growing up in these areas. However, many of those same friends are now already working in California’s coastal cities—places like San Francisco and Los Angeles—where they plan to build their futures.
After graduating, I made the decision to return to Fresno to work on public policy as a legislative aide. Among my Central Valley college peers, I was one of the few who chose to come back. Now, four years later, I’m once again reflecting on this issue as I graduate from law school. Of the several peers with Fresno roots at UC Davis School of Law, I am the only one with a plan to return to Fresno after graduation.
I don’t share this to be critical but to acknowledge that we must do more to change this trend. There’s a lot to be hopeful about in Fresno over the next decade. The high-speed rail station planned for downtown has the potential to be a transformative anchor for our city’s core. The State’s $250 million commitment to downtown revitalization will further bolster these efforts. Organizations like the City of Fresno, the Central Valley Community Foundation, and the Fresno County Economic Development Corporation are working hard to attract quality career track jobs to the area, helping fuel our economic resurgence in a changing economy.
However, it’s now up to us as a community, along with the next generation of city leaders, to ensure that our policy solutions address both our immediate challenges and our long-term vision for Fresno. We need to create a city that not only attracts but retains young professionals—doctors, engineers, lawyers, entrepreneurs—who will build their futures here.
Part of the solution lies in ensuring that we plan not just for housing, but for the right types of housing that appeal to the next generation. We need more high-rises, condos, and infill housing that supports vibrant communities where people can live, work, and play—all within the same neighborhood.
To further combat brain drain, we must also focus on creating vibrant cultural and social spaces that reflect the aspirations of young professionals. Opening new businesses in Fresno should be easier, and Measure P’s passage sets the stage for the city to embrace more arts, entertainment, and outdoor activities. These are the amenities that my generation seeks when deciding where to live.
Finally, as a sports enthusiast, I believe we need to continue being creative in generating more opportunities for our community to rally around our hometown and its teams. During my time in Sacramento, I saw firsthand how the Sacramento Kings’ downtown arena revitalized the city center. Similarly, I hope Fresno State’s forthcoming entry into the PAC-12 can act as a catalyst for our city. But we shouldn’t stop there. We should work toward bringing professional soccer to Fresno, aim to get our Fresno Grizzlies to be part of the MLB Triple-A League again, and if an NBA team is beyond our reach for now, we should explore opportunities for G League basketball.
Ultimately, the first step in solving any problem is acknowledging its existence. Fresno’s challenges—economic, social, and cultural—are interconnected, and brain drain is a part of that puzzle. By addressing it head-on and building a city that offers the right mix of career opportunities, housing, arts, entertainment, and sports, we can begin to reverse the trend and ensure that Fresno’s brightest minds stay right here at home.
