Childcare affordability and availability emerged as a critical issue during the Summit County Council meeting on April 5, 2023, with community members urging local leaders to take action. Residents Nicole and Eli Bourne highlighted the severe challenges families face in securing affordable childcare, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nicole emphasized the dire situation in Camas, where there are currently no centers accepting infants. She warned that rising rates and potential closures of local facilities, such as PC Tots and Alpine Adventurers, could lead to a workforce crisis, forcing families to relocate or leave their jobs. "This is a crisis for our community, and we're gonna lose workers over it," she stated, calling for the county to consider subsidizing childcare services.

Eli echoed these concerns, noting that PC Tots plans to double its tuition in July, causing significant stress for families. He stressed that the issue extends beyond affordability, impacting community demographics and the ability of diverse families to remain in the area. "We need options, and we need opportunities to get on those daycares sooner than having long periods of waiting lists," he urged, framing childcare as a basic need akin to medical services.

The council's response to these urgent pleas remains to be seen, but the discussions underscore a growing recognition of childcare as a vital component of community stability and workforce retention. As families grapple with rising costs and limited availability, the call for action from local leaders has never been more pressing.