In Mesa County, we talk often about the importance of cultivating the next generation of skilled workers. We care deeply about preparing future electricians, healthcare professionals, tech innovators, ranchers, and farmers. These conversations matter. But if we want a truly strong and sustainable local economy, we also need to grow the next generation of business owners. Every industry we depend on requires people who are not only talented at their craft but also prepared to build, manage, and lead.
National trends tell us this next generation is already leaning in. The most recent Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report shows that nearly one in four young adults ages 18 to 24 are currently engaged in entrepreneurial activity, and more than 20 percent intend to start a business within the next three years. Junior Achievement USA found that sixty percent of American teens would prefer to start their own business rather than work a traditional job. Young people are not waiting for permission. They are ready to create, innovate, and build something of their own.
What they often lack is the structured support that turns excitement into capability. Research shows that entrepreneurship education significantly boosts young people’s confidence, problem-solving skills, and ability to identify opportunities. One study of students ages 13 to 16 found that those who participated in entrepreneurship training developed stronger awareness of opportunities and a deeper belief that they could succeed. With the right guidance, their ideas become more than inspiration. They become viable paths.
This is why the Grand Junction Area Chamber is so proud to bring the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) to the Grand Valley. YEA! is a transformational program open to students in grades 6 through 12, and applications for our next cohort beginning in January are now open.
YEA! guides students step-by-step through the process of launching a real business. They develop a concept, conduct market research, write a business plan, present their ideas to investors, and ultimately open and operate their own companies. Along the way, they gain skills that matter everywhere: communication, financial literacy, teamwork, resilience, problem-solving, and the confidence to take initiative.
Here in the Grand Valley, we often talk about growing our own talent and creating opportunities that keep young people rooted in this community. Entrepreneurship plays a key role in that vision. Whether a student dreams of owning a small weld-and-fabrication shop, starting a tech company, opening a bakery, or building the next agricultural innovation, they need more than passion. Successful businesses require strong foundations, thoughtful planning, and practical experience. YEA! provides that foundation early, at a time when young people are naturally curious and willing to try new things.
A strong community does not happen by accident. It takes intention. Preparing the next generation of business owners is part of that work, and programs like YEA! make it possible. Encouraging youth entrepreneurship is not just about creating future companies. It is about raising young people who see opportunity in challenges and who understand that they can shape the future of Mesa County.
Applications for the upcoming YEA! cohort are closing soon. The deadline to apply is December 5th at 5pm and more information can be found at gjchamber.org/yea. If you know a middle or high school student who is creative, ambitious, curious, or simply ready for a unique experience, please encourage them to apply. You may be helping ignite the spark that becomes a future business leader right here in the Grand Valley.
When we invest in our young people today, we invest in the strength and resilience of our community tomorrow. That is a return that benefits all of us.