Designation of New Monument at Browns Canyon Good for Colorado Small Businesses, Economy

For Immediate Release: 
Thursday, February 19, 2015

Statement by Tim Gaudette, Colorado Outreach Manager for Small Business Majority, on President Obama's designation of Browns Canyon in the Arkansas River Valley as a national monument, which can provide increased opportunities for entrepreneurs and local economies

President Obama will announce today that he'll be designating a new national monument at Browns Canyon in the Arkansas River Valley. This is great news for small businesses, because entrepreneurs know protecting our natural assets is one way we can enhance the financial success of small businesses and local economies. In fact, two-thirds of Colorado small businesses supported a proposal to designate Browns Canyon as a national monument. Small business owners in Colorado strongly believe the designation of additional national parks and monuments enhances local jobs and the economy.

Public lands are not only important to businesses associated with the outdoor or the tourist trade. Small Business Majority's opinion polling found a majority of non-recreation businesses point to parks and public lands as a key reason for relocating to the area. What's more, nearly two-thirds of Colorado entrepreneurs choose to live and do business in the state because of opportunities tied to public lands.

America's parks and public lands matter to local economies and small businesses. Protecting our national heritage is important to our economic sustainability, and our legacy to future generations. The president's designation of Browns Canyon as a national monument is a step forward to supporting public lands, small businesses and the economy.

About Small Business Majority
Small Business Majority is a national small business advocacy organization, founded and run by small business owners to focus on solving the biggest problems facing America's 28 million small businesses today. Since 2005, we have actively engaged small business owners and policymakers in support of public policy solutions, and have delivered information and resources to entrepreneurs that promote small business growth and drive a strong, sustainable economy. We are a team of more than 30 working from our 11 offices in Washington, D.C. and 9 states, with a network of more than 45,000 small business owners and more than 2,000 business organizations, along with a formal strategic partnership program of more than 125 business organizations, enabling us to reach more than 500,000 entrepreneurs. Our extensive scientific polling, focus groups and economic research help us educate and inform policymakers, the media and other stakeholders about issues including taxes, healthcare, access to capital, entrepreneurship, workforce development, clean energy and immigration. Learn more about us on our website and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Press State: 
CO