Connection Error When Using Project Settings

I get this error
Format of the initialization string does not conform to specification starting at index 34.
When I take my connection string and store it in the project settings. I know that this works.
Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0;Data Source=" & Application.StartupPath & "\Employees.accdb

Because if I use it like this
Dim conn As New OleDbConnection("Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0;Data Source=" & Application.StartupPath & "\Employees.accdb")
conn.Open()

The connection succeeds but if I try this
Dim conn As New OleDbConnection(My.Settings.Default.employeeConnection)
conn.Open()

I get that error.
name:employeeConnection
type:string
scope:application
value:Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0;Data Source=" & Application.StartupPath & "\Employees.accdb