According to nonprofit Vibrant Futures, which led the roundtable along with The Right Place, childcare shortages are estimated to cost Michigan $2.88 billion annually in lost productivity.
Regional business, civic and economic development leaders met at Cascade Engineering discussing the lack of access to affordable, high-quality childcare.
“As a woman-owned business, I also recognize having gone through having children myself that having great childcare as an option is really great for facilitating women leaders and staying in the workforce through their career.”
Christina Keller is CEO and chair of Cascade Engineering. She says while new childcare providers are launching in West Michigan, it’s important for companies to support their employees in securing that care.
“If we can support that both as business leaders, as community members, trying to rise the visibility of the issue, and then help to address having more affordable, high-quality daycare in our regions.”
Chris Williams, board chair of Vibrant Futures, says employers play only one role. Funding, infrastructure, and certified staffing need to be in place as well.
“There are new programs like the city of Sparta, a few other people, renovating building areas, governmental building areas, providing some actual infrastructure for some childcare, so it’s not just programs; it’s infrastructure, it’s the development of the childcare providers themselves.”
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