Thanksgiving eve recruiting event is meant to show former residents what they're missing

Dozens of young professionals were chatting in small groups, sipping beer and mixed drinks in a room overlooking the outfield at Cooley Law School Stadium Wednesday evening.

Some roasted marshmallows over fires on an outdoor patio. There was a hot chocolate bar where people could spike warm drinks with Kahlua or mint McGillicuddy's. Everyone got coupons for Lansing Brewing Company and American Fifth Spirits at the door.

This was a recruiting event. Dubbed "Capitol Comeback," it was meant to show off Lansing's entertainment scene and employment opportunities to young professionals visiting family in the area for Thanksgiving.

“They might not really know what’s taken place in the greater Lansing region while they’ve been gone," said Chris Sell, executive director of Lansing 5:01, the group that hosted the event. "If you graduated four years ago and haven’t been back since, you’ll get a very different experience."

Similar events were held across the state on the night before Thanksgiving in cities such as Grand Rapids, Traverse City and Ann Arbor, Sell said.

But what would make a young professional want to return to Lansing?

According to attendees: The rent and cost of living is affordable compared to larger Midwestern cities. There are state government jobs, but the area also is a hub for the insurance and manufacturing industries. It's close to Michigan State University. There's enough of a food and entertainment scene to keep people's attention, and it's a short drive to other major cities.

Still, some event goers said they'd like to see more going on in the city's downtown and additional investment from companies and entrepreneurs. Others said more affordable transportation options and additional development between the capitol and MSU could help bolster the area.

Jeff Thelan, an MSU grad, plans to open an office for his digital marketing agency in Lansing in the coming months. But he said the city seems to lag behind Detroit and Grand Rapids in terms of growth in recent years.

"There's so much potential in Lansing that hasn't been fully realized," he said.

Competition with those other cities in Michigan can be challenging for Lansing employers, said Shaun Darling, a recruiter for Michigan State University Financial Credit Union.

"[Companies] have to invest more," he said. "I think they've recognized that."

Still what draws many people to the area are the entertainment options, and its central location, he said.

Olivia Somsel moved to Lansing three years ago with her husband. She said one of her favorite things about the area is that it has larger city amenities without the traffic.

"It's 15, 20 minutes to get anywhere," she said. "In Detroit, it's an hour."

Laura Baker was one of the dozens of attendees who talked with Lansing employers like Sparrow and Accident Fund Wednesday night. She grew up in Delta Township and was visiting family in the area for Thanksgiving. Baker said she's set to graduate from Northern Michigan University in the spring and wants to relocate to Lansing.

Baker said she'd still consider moving to the area if she didn't have family ties. She said she likes the trail and park system, the growing beer and bar scene and the fact that the area is home to a young and diverse population.

"There's just something about Lansing that's always drawn me home," she said.

Contact reporter Haley Hansen at (517) 267-1344 or hhansen@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @halehansen.