中国经济样本观察·县域样本篇丨这座苏北县城为何吸引30多万年轻人回流返乡？

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the transformation of Shuyang, a county in Jiangsu, which has successfully attracted over 300,000 young people to return and start businesses, shifting from a history of labor outflow to becoming a vibrant entrepreneurial hub [1][2]. Economic Transformation - Shuyang has risen from being one of the lowest economic performers in Jiangsu to ranking 25th among the top 100 counties in China by 2024, with a GDP that has consistently exceeded 100 billion yuan for five consecutive years [1][2]. - The county has seen a significant reduction in its labor outflow, with the number of migrant workers decreasing from a peak of 450,000 to 180,000 [2]. Return of Young Entrepreneurs - A cultural shift has occurred, where the stigma of returning to rural areas for work has diminished, leading to a 60% employment rate among returning university graduates in the local flower and tree industry [2][3]. - The county has implemented various entrepreneurial policies, including the "Shushang Return" initiative, to attract local entrepreneurs back to invest and start businesses [2][4]. Industrial Development - Shuyang has focused on building a robust industrial foundation, developing three major industrial clusters worth over 100 billion yuan each, which has created over 300,000 jobs [3][4]. - The county has nurtured 1,157 industrial enterprises and 147 national high-tech enterprises, enhancing employment opportunities [3][4]. Support for Entrepreneurship - The establishment of entrepreneurial incubation bases and the "Skills Shuyang" initiative provide comprehensive support for entrepreneurs, including training and certification [4][5]. - The county has launched various programs to cultivate local talent, resulting in 8,200 industry leaders and 54,000 certified farmers [4][8]. Business Environment - Shuyang has prioritized creating a favorable business environment, adopting a service-oriented approach to support returning entrepreneurs, which has led to a "grapevine effect" attracting more businesses [5][6]. - The county's efficient administrative processes have facilitated quick project approvals, encouraging investment from both local and external entrepreneurs [5][6]. Challenges and Solutions - Despite the success, Shuyang faces challenges such as job growth slowing down and skill mismatches, prompting the county to expand into new employment sectors like digital and silver economies [7][8]. - The county has introduced policies to support entrepreneurship, including risk support funds and simplified loan processes, which have disbursed over 1.8 billion yuan in loans in the past four years [8][9]. Quality of Life Improvements - Shuyang is enhancing public services, including education and healthcare, to improve living conditions and attract talent back to the area [9][10]. - The transformation from a "working economy" to a "returning economy" reflects a deeper change in development logic, focusing on industry, service, and environment to retain talent [9].