Boomerang Greensboro attracts natives back to Triad, returns millions to the economy

GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — An economic survey details millions of dollars generated for the regional economy thanks to a program that brings people back home. 

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In late 2020 to early 2021, Action Greensboro launched the Boomerang Greensboro initiative. It aims to connect Gate City natives who leave the region and return, referred to as “Boomerangs,” to the resources they need to move back into the area. Connections can look like housing, education and even career opportunities.

Nonprofit executive director Cecelia Thompson said they partnered with a national data analysis group to provide an economic impact study for their program. 

It found that more than 100 families moved back into the area with Boomerangs working in 150 career fields across 86 different industries.

“We are making a $26 million annual impact on Greensboro. Not just a one-time impact, but the more people move back to Greensboro, the more dollars that are coming through purchasing homes, through spending money.” 

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Jack Garvey Jr. is one of 162 Boomerangs that returned to the area in a study for Action Greensboro. He moved away for college in 2006 and lived in several different cities across the country before moving back to the city three years ago.

Now, he works as the executive director and chief development officer for Greensboro Downtown Parks Inc. He oversees downtown parks like Center City and LeBauer parks in his role.  

“Neither of these parks were here when I left Greensboro, so I really got to see it transform when I came back as a Boomerang,” Garvey said. 

He brings his experiences from outside the region back to the city.

“Seeing how park partnerships with nonprofits were run and benefit the public,” Garvey said. “It was great to be able to bring those lessons home to Greensboro so that we can do more things to LeBauer and Center City parks.”

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