Virtual Event Set For Dec. 2
MONROE – Childcare is essential for our families, our workforce, and our community. Access to high quality childcare and enriching experiences and interactions are critical for our children for their academic, social and emotional development. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on childcare services in our communities.
Quality childcare as a workforce priority will be the topic of Green County Development Corporation’s (GCDC) annual Executive Leadership Breakfast. This year’s Executive Leadership Breakfast, set for 7:45 to 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2, will be virtual, with participants joining via a Zoom link. The featured speaker will be Rob Grunewald, economist with the Community Development Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. The event is free and open to the public.
Why does childcare matter? The link among access to childcare, parental employment, and overall economic growth is becoming more apparent all the time. Businesses rely on their employees, and their employees rely on access to childcare. When problems with childcare arise, parents must scramble to find alternative options ¾ or miss work to care for their children.
For Green County parents, that can translate to working fewer hours, taking a pay cut, or leaving their jobs altogether. Likewise, our business community is harmed by their employees’ childcare challenges. Nationally, the cost of lost earnings, productivity, and revenue due to the childcare crisis totals an estimated $57 billion each year.
GCDC and the United Way of Green County have teamed up to address critical childcare needs. They are encouraging businesses to offer financial assistance to help provide support and resources to childcare providers in Green County. More information on this initiative will be shared at the Executive Leadership Breakfast event and is available online at greencountyedc.com.
While there is no cost to participate, pre-registration for the Executive Leadership Breakfast is requested. Send name and e-mail to gcdc@tds.net. Log-in information will be sent a week prior to the event.
GCDC, a multi-jurisdictional economic development corporation, was formed to bring professional economic development expertise to its member communities to create a competitive advantage to spur job creation and new investments. The organization is building the economic future of Green County communities and businesses through public-private partnerships. For more information, visit GCDC at online at www.greencountyedc.com.