In collaboration with the West Virginia Association of Regional Councils, and supported by the WV Economic Development Council, the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA) is launching the West Virginia Child Care Economic Impact Survey to help provide an economic snapshot of the impacts that existing and prospective businesses see related to child care.
“The survey aims to gather valuable data to determine how the availability of childcare impacts workforce participation, employee retention, and overall business productivity,” said Jina Belcher, NRGRDA’s executive director. “Childcare is a growing priority for existing and new businesses throughout the Mountain State. We want to support the decisions being made by the Governor, state agencies and the Legislature with real-time data around the issue.”
Belcher said the information being collected in the West Virginia Child Care Economic Impact Survey will help identify the specific needs and concerns of businesses regarding childcare so everyone can work together to develop targeted solutions that support both the workforce and economic growth in West Virginia. “Child care funding is facing a looming cliff with pandemic-area funding ending soon. she said. “These surveys will help assess and convey the extent to which West Virginia businesses encounter hurdles to child care and also highlight any concerns that prospective businesses looking to branch into the area may have.”
Belcher, a working mother, said the survey will be open until the start of legislative session. NRGRDA and the WV Association of Regional Councils are open to sharing data with state and federal agencies that can use it as part of their decision making.
“There are many facets to the child care dilemma facing West Virginia and the nation,” said Belcher. “We developed the survey instrument as a means for providing current, real-time data to policymakers in the forefront of making decisions that will have both short- and long-term impacts on business and economic development leaders, parents, and children.”
The survey can be accessed by visiting bit.ly/WVChildcare
The WVEDC is proud to support these efforts to show the economic impact of childcare availability on workforce participation and business operations throughout our State. Christy Laxton said that since she has been President, the WVEDC has put childcare as a top legislative priority. Laxton stated that “as a mother of 4 that has faced childcare issues and concerns, I know personally how important this issue is.” As economic developers that work with existing and prospective entrepreneurs across the state, we are aware of childcare challenges they face. We are excited to support this opportunity to provide that data in real-time.
