Recently released economic indicators for Nebraska’s workforce are missing a critical data point. Having the highest labor participation in the nation does little good if there are only 42 workers available for every 100 open jobs in our state, as indicated in recent data from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. As of March 2023, there were 65,000 job openings in Nebraska.

With the state’s unemployment rate now down to 2.1% and Nebraska experiencing a severe labor shortage, who has left the workforce matters. A recent survey from Nebraska Extension and We Care for Kids shows that almost a third of parents with children ages 5 and under (and 23% of all parents) left the workforce because they couldn’t find affordable child care.

Quality early childhood education is a big part of how Nebraska thrives. Skilled early childhood educators prepare children for school. Families can work knowing their children are in the safe, loving and supportive care of a quality early childhood educator. It provides Nebraska’s employers with the talent they need to succeed now and in the future. Yet, Nebraska is facing an early childhood care and education crisis. Almost every county in the state (91%) with licensed child care programs does not have enough places to meet demand, and families in 11 counties do not have access to licensed child care programs.

In May, the Nebraska Economic Developers Association met in Lincoln, and top priorities on the agenda included child care, along with workforce, housing and innovation. Every Nebraskan depends on someone who depends on child care. Access to quality, affordable child care and early education is essential for strengthening Nebraska’s economy. Without it, it’s hard for Nebraska to attract new business to communities and for established businesses to hire new employees and grow.

According to The Bottom Line report from First Five Nebraska, insufficient options for stable, reliable child care have taken a toll on Nebraska working parents, employers and state revenue with nearly $745 million in direct losses annually. Meanwhile, investments in quality early care and education are some of the best we could make as a state — yielding an average return of $4 for every dollar spent, and in circumstances where children are extremely vulnerable, the return can be as high as $13.

Families and employers want solutions. In fact, 84% of registered voters in our state agree that the lack of child care in Nebraska is a problem that will not solve itself and want Nebraskans to come together to solve the problem and invest in solutions.

If you care about Nebraska, you should care about solving the child care crisis so that our communities can thrive. That’s why the Nebraska Economic Developers Association is a partner of We Care for Kids, and we urge you to join us. Because how we help our cities, small towns, suburbs and rural areas care for kids is vital to the prosperity of our families and our state.

This story was originally published by Nebraska Examiner, an editorially independent newsroom providing a hard-hitting, daily flow of news. It is part of the national nonprofit States Newsroom. Find more at nebraskaexaminer.com.