Today, the Gateway Area Development District (GADD) released its regional Childcare Impact Analysis, covering Bath, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, and Rowan counties.
The study's release, which ends a six-month research and analysis project, worked to identify the number of "work-willing" parents who are in the region but cannot return to work due to childcare restrictions. The study also informs local government leaders, employers, and partners about the ramifications of childcare limitations on the local economy, while providing return on investment metrics at both individual county and regional levels.
The study, commissioned by GADD, in concert with the region's local governments, the Center for Rural Development, the TENCO Workforce Development Board, and UK St. Claire, was conducted by the Indianapolis-based firm Thomas P. Miller & Associates (TPMA). TPMA employed a rigorous, data-driven approach, utilizing data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and other reputable sources.
According to the study's results, it is estimated that 538 "work-willing" parents in the region cannot return to full-time work due to childcare constraints. By enabling these 538 parents to rejoin the workforce full-time, TPMA projects the cumulative annual earnings for these individuals could reach between $19.4 million and $24.6 million. These earnings, predominantly circulated within the region, would drive local economic activities, generating additional government tax revenues and boosting the Gross Regional Product by $38.6 to $45.3 million.
The study concludes with targeted recommendations for next steps, broken down by Kentucky Based Solutions, Employer-Based Solutions, Childcare Facility Solutions, and GADD Specific Solutions.
"The need for childcare is a national workforce challenge," said GADD Executive Director Joshua Farrow. "As the study illustrates, the Gateway region in east-central Kentucky is no exception. I commend our local governments and community partners for their leadership and commitment to combining resources to engage TPMA. We look forward to utilizing the study and working with regional stakeholders to explore future funding opportunities that will aid in resolving the region's childcare challenges."
The full report can be accessed here: https://gwadd.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Gateway-Childcare_FINAL.pdf
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