The Columbia Talent Magnet Project has been studying ways to bring young talent to the capital city. They just released a report outlining plans to keep college grads here and attract other young professionals. Project leaders say economic performance improves when more highly educated young people are in a community.

Greg Hilton brainstorms ideas with the group that heads the Columbia Talent Magnet Project.  For more than a year, the group has been trying to come up with ways to keep and attract young professionals.

"We're faced with a number of college students who get a great education and then leave," says Hilton.

He and several others want to stop that from happening so Columbia can become an economic powerhouse - something they feel the capital city can achieve.

"It's a great mid-sized city. The standard of living is great," says Lindsey Spires.

She has watched Columbia grow over the past 10 years, but she thinks the city can expand its workforce even more. Spires is constantly on social networking sites trying to market Columbia because she believes the city has a lot to offer.

"We have to stop talking in small groups about it.  We got to tell everybody and promote the assets we have here," says Spires.

If Columbia does become home to young professionals, officials say businesses will come here. That's why the group is connecting aspiring leaders with more seasoned ones, hoping to create a long-lasting mentorship. They're also working on networking opportunities for entrepreneurs and internship programs.

"If we can connect some of these undergraduate students and some young professionals before they leave, we believe and studies show that they're more likely to stay with in your community," says Hilton.