The American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC), whose members represent 165,000 U.S. businesses, announced its plans to collaborate with The Millennial Trains Project (MTP), a nonprofit that empowers Millennials, anyone aged 18 to 34, to explore national challenges and advance change on a local level through transcontinental train journeys.

This August, MTP will lead the nation's first crowdfunded transcontinental train journey with stops in San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Denver, Omaha, Chicago, Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. Twenty millennial social entrepreneurs earned their spot on the inaugural journey by proposing their idea and fundraising support through the MTP crowdfunding platform. Over the course of the ten-day train journey, participants will launch projects that explore sustainable transportation, data innovation in local communities, renewable energy technologies, and solutions to improve access to higher education, among many others.

ASBC engages with organizations that understand the importance of social entrepreneurship, both for the broader economy and for local communities. The mission of MTP, which focuses on building the next generation of leaders through sustainable technologies, including train travel, crowdfunding and other digital tools, closely aligns with ASBC priorities. ASBC and MTP will work together to connect the enterprising Millennials with leaders from the sustainable business community during on-train seminars throughout the journey.

“There’s no more important group than Millennials to help build a long-term sustainable economy,” said Richard Eidlin, Public Policy Director for ASBC. “We applaud the innovative and forward thinking work of the Millennial Trains Project. Their commitment to linking social entrepreneurship and sustainability holds great promise for improving both American society and the environment.”

"As I see it, the future is ours to shape, and new frontiers await. Our train is a platform for emerging pioneers of the next generation to explore these new frontiers on a national scale. In essence, we are taking a radically analog approach to contemplating and exploring the possibilities of our Digital Age,” said Patrick Dowd, CEO and founder of The Millennial Trains Project. "The support of the American Sustainable Business Council will connect the aspirational Millennials on board our train with inspiring leaders at the forefront of the conscious capitalism and sustainable development movements. Bringing these groups together will help to advance the shared goals of all collaborators."

About the American Sustainable Business Council
The American Sustainable Business Council and its member organizations represent more than 165,000 businesses nationwide, and more than 300,000 entrepreneurs, executives, managers, and investors. The council includes chambers of commerce, trade associations, and groups representing small business, investors, microenterprise, social enterprise, green and sustainable business, local living economy, and women and minority business leaders. ASBC informs and engages policy makers and the public about the need and opportunities for building a vibrant and sustainable economy. For more information, visit www.asbcouncil.org.

About The Millennial Trains Project
The Millennial Trains Project (MTP) is a non-profit organization that leads crowdfunded transcontinental train journeys to empower diverse groups of Millennials to explore America's new frontiers. Over the course of a ten day train journey, MTP helps participants and virtual audiences to identify, evaluate, and explore new opportunities and challenges in the communities where our trains stop – and advance a project that benefits, serves, and inspires others. The inspiration for MTP comes from a similar train journey, the Jagriti Yatra, that founder Patrick Dowd helped lead as a 2010-11 Fulbright Scholar in India. To learn more about MTP and the August 2013 journey, visit millennialtrain.co. For the latest news and updates, follow MTP on Twitter and Facebook.

American Sustainable Business Council

American Sustainable Business Council

The American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) is a national coalition of mission-driven businesses, social enterprises and sustainable business networks working to create a vibrant, just and sustainable economy. What unites us is a deep belief that we must move to a new economy that is grounded in principles of sustainability and equity.

The Council represents over 55,000 businesses and enterprises and more than 150,000 executives, owners, investors, entrepreneurs and business professionals. It is comprised of partners, which are organizations that represent businesses and social enterprises as well as entrepreneurs, executives, owners and investors committed to building a vibrant, just, and sustainable economy.

ASBC promotes policy change by educating and informing the business community, policy makers and the media about the business case for change, and by engaging the leaders of businesses and enterprises in building broad support for the policies America needs. We work on a range of policy areas, including: financial reform, health care, chemicals policy, climate change and business taxes.

We believe that the policies that will lead us to a sustainable and just economy are also good for business and good for America. Making the right commitments and investments will produce more and better jobs, build strength in key technologies, and make the U.S. more independent and secure.

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