Regarding lifestyle, respondents said opportunities for recreation and community involvement, as well as community identity and image, are well provided.

But nearly 75 percent rated social gathering spots and arts and cultural opportunities as fair or poor, Mack said.

Duly said the survey should be a call to action for the region's community leaders.

"You need to improve this if you want to attract young professionals to this area."

FOCUS GROUPS

Finally, the center hosted two focus groups, one in Plattsburgh to get feedback from young professionals who live in Clinton County and a second in Saranac Lake for those in Essex and Franklin counties.

Duley said substantial differences were seen in the concerns identified by the two focus groups. A strong majority of the Clinton County group plans to stay in the region, while most of those in Essex and Franklin counties said they plan to leave soon or in the mid-term future.

USING THE RESULTS

Mack said the next step is to work with the Adirondack Young Professionals group to bring the survey results to community, business and government leaders.

The need for workers will grow as the Baby Boomer generation retires, she noted.

"It's important for employers to know what will help attract and retain young professionals."

dheath@pressrepublican.com