State and local governments find themselves in the midst of the perfect storm. As the baby boomers age and retire, governments face their largest exodus of talent and skills ever. At the same time, the effects of the Great Recession have had lasting and perhaps permanent effects on revenues, while service needs grow and retiree benefits require greater funding.

Some governments have begun to plan for long-term workforce needs, but many are unsure where to find promising practices that will enable them to recruit and retain the talent they need. At the same time, they are confronted by the realities of how they will pay for benefits for aging workers as they retire.

MissionSquare Research Institute (formerly the Center for State and Local Government Excellence at ICMA-RC) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization, conducting research to shed light on these issues and to put them into perspective for policy leaders and the public.

Download the Institute’s Ten Year Impact Report.

 

The Research Institute’s unique role

The Institute:

• Brings state and local government leaders together with respected researchers to carry out a
  research agenda shaped by real-world needs.
• Translates serious research into action-oriented analysis, recommendations, and tools for policy leaders, practitioners, and the public.
• Promotes best practices in health and retirement benefits, workforce planning, and strategies to attract, retain, and develop talent.
• Helps a new generation build a career in state and local government by raising awareness of public service opportunities and needs.
• Monitors economic, demographic, and hiring trends within the local and state government
• Convenes forums on the pressing issues facing governments, which bring together everyone who
  has a stake in finding innovative solutions.

Learn more about the Institute