Small Business Majority Joins Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in Denver to Talk Youth Opportunities

Denver, CO̢??‰۝Local small business owner Lisa Goodbee and Small Business Majority̢??‰?s Colorado Outreach Manager, Tim Gaudette, joined former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in Denver today to discuss the importance of increasing employment opportunities for youth and how it would benefit small businesses and the economy.

̢???As a small business owner, I̢??‰?m committed to creating opportunities for hard working young people who want to break into my field and build their career in engineering. It was great to discuss what kind of opportunities there are for youth here in Denver with Secretary Clinton,̢???? said Goodbee, owner of Goodbee & Associates, a civil engineering firm in Centennial, Co and a member of Small Business Majority̢??‰?s Network Council. ̢???Far too many of our youth struggle to find jobs after they leave school. This negatively affects economic demand and hurts small businesses. By solving this problem, we will foster better workforces, which will bolster small employers and our economy as a whole.̢????

Nearly five years have passed since the end of the Great Recession, and yet nearly 6 million young Americans are both out of school and out of work̢??‰۝a staggering number that strains our communities and limits our growth prospects. At the same time, small business leaders are struggling to fill job vacancies that are critical to both individual company success and overall economic growth.

Small Business Majority has been working nationally with small business owners on this issue to move the dial on youth opportunities. Secretary Clinton has been prioritizing youth employment as one of the key issues for her work at the Clinton Foundation, and believes that business-led initiatives will play a critical role in addressing this important economic challenge.

̢???We have a unique opportunity to match young people ready and willing to work with employers who need their help to build and secure their business future,̢???? said Gaudette. ̢???Everyone benefits when we develop new sources of skilled entry-level talent, expand opportunities for youth who are out of school and out of work, and invest in our communities. We thank Secretary Clinton for her commitment to small business success and look forward to continuing to work on this issue.̢????

To schedule an interview with the small business owner who attended the event or a representative from Small Business Majority, contact Allison Abney at [email protected] or (303) 223-6335.