The call-back campaign has drawn a good response in terms of requests for information, but the state isn't sure how many people have actually moved back as a result, says Erica Clayton, spokeswoman for the state Department of Community and Economic Development. The department plans to implement new procedures to verify how many have returned.

Connecticut's media campaign "You Belong in Connecticut" is pitched to high school students, college students and young professionals. Nutmeg State officials believe that if natives go to college in Connecticut, they are more likely to stay after graduation and get a job in the state.

"We had quite an exodus for a while," says Connecticut campaign spokeswoman Lauren Kyle. "We may be leveling off. It we can draw some back, that would be nice." Connecticut has stopped losing people in the pivotal 18-24 age group, according to U.S. Census estimates.

Pennsylvania's call-back campaign lets people know that the days of the steel mills and coal mines are gone and that thousands of high-tech jobs are available in the state.

"For years and years Pennsylvania's image beyond our borders was rust belt -- steel, iron, coal," says state Education Secretary Eugene Hickok. "After a while, that image becomes self-fulfilling."

To dispel that image, Hickok speaks at high school and college commencements about the career opportunities in Pennsylvania.

"I talk about the combination of obligation and opportunity out there," he says. "I typically end with my message with what I call a selfish plea: Stay in Pennsylvania. If you leave, come back to Pennsylvania."