Latest Ideas

A lost generation?

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?

Comments (2)add comment

Ben Weller said:

...
Hear hear!

After graduating UVM in '08 with a degree in "community entrepreneurship" I was hard pressed to find any employment that would keep me in Vermont. I found work as a flooring installer, but the so-called "economic situation" led to my layoff as the business struggled to bid competitively against out-of-state competition.

Since that time, I've founded and operated a company engaged in website design and development for small businesses. The overarching goal of this operation is to "help small businesses in Vermont compete and communicate more effectively online."

Having experienced success in providing these services to businesses both within Vermont, and without, I'm preparing to expand the business by bringing on a few local individuals, initially as telecommuting "independent contractors." I intend to further integrate these individuals as full-time employees when it is financially reasonable.

As Governor, how could I expect Mr. Dunne to help support the expansion of small, creative enterprises such as my own?

What types of support could be given to help small businesses keep bright, young folks in Vermont?

How can laws regarding independent contractor relationships, and also employer-employee relationships be changed in order to provide incentive for small business expansion and, most of all, job creation?

I would like to see this dialog come to the fore, and I believe that Mr. Dunne will find great value in speaking with small business owners, young entrepreneurs, and the vibrant community of young, creative individuals as a whole when it comes time to develop ideas into plans of action.

-Ben Weller
 
January 02, 2010
Votes: +0

Phyllis N. said:

...
If we want entrepreneurs to come here or stay here, then the state should roll back the 63% increase in the capital gains rate the Legislature enacted last year - at least for those selling businesses. If you put your heart and soul into starting a business, you want some payoff at the end when you sell. Vermont's current capital gains rate for high income individuals (which a seller may be for just the year of selling) now towers above most other states.
 
December 11, 2009
Votes: +1

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