Lagging wages and high student loan debt are the main factors causing young people to flee Iowa after graduation, according to the Generation Iowa Commission’s report released yesterday.

The 48-page Situation Analysis contained key findings on the state’s efforts to recruit and retain young people to Iowa. Today the commission will release a Best Practices Guide for Iowa Businesses, which will offer strategies to retain and recruit young workers, and tomorrow the panel will join Lt. Gov. Patty Judge at the Iowa Capitol at 11 a.m. to announce its “Road Map to Recruit and Retain Young People to Iowa,” a list of legislative recommendations to reverse the “brain drain.”

“The results of the Iowa caucuses and the work of the Generation Iowa Commission are hopeful examples of young Iowans working to create change,” said Gov. Chet Culver in a press release. “More than ever before, young people are passionately involved and engaged in shaping the future. I look forward to working with these young leaders to make our state more attractive and to showcase our state’s unlimited opportunities.”

Culver signed House File 617 on April 5, 2007, which led to the establishment of the Generation Iowa Commission, composed of 15 young Iowans ages 18 to 35, who advise and assist in the retention and attraction of young adults to Iowa. It was charged with submitting a written report containing key findings to the state government by Jan. 15.

Other key findings in the commission’s report include: Iowa is a net importer of college students, but fails to retain them after graduation; hiring young people is necessary to fill the workforce gaps left by the retirement of the Baby Boomer generation and help targeted industries grow; and Iowa faces several challenges beyond low wages, including the state’s lack of young, single people compared with other parts of the nation, a poor word-of-mouth reputation, population declines in rural areas, a lack of state funds for marketing, tourism and the arts, and a lack of diversity.