At his campaign kick off on Tuesday, Matt talked about the need to invest in our young people. Mat was inspired by Essex High School student Matt Breuer, who warned that unless we can find a way to grow jobs and opportunity for young people, Vermont risks creating a ‘lost generation’ of Vermonters who leave the state in their 20s and never return.

Vermont isn’t alone in the struggle to provide meaningful employment for young people. Last month, the unemployment rate for people between the ages of 16 and 24 topped 18 percent. It’s always been tough to get a first job out of high school or college. But the contracting economy and increasing costs for college degrees have made it especially hard on young Vermonters.

Young leaders in the legislature like Kesha Rahm, Rachel Weston and others are looking for solutions. And Matt has suggested some interesting ideas, including trading debt-free college attendance for 2 years of community service new building patterns designed to create the hip, fun downtowns that draw young people and entrepreneurs.

What are YOUR ideas for keeping young people in Vermont and getting more of them - especially young entrepreneurs with start up companies - to move here?

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