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Resident urges action on county childcare shortage, EDA links problem to workforce recruitment
Summary
A resident told the EDA the county lacks licensed childcare and that closures are harming employers' ability to retain staff. Staff and members acknowledged childcare as a recurring pain point and said it would be considered in outreach and strategy work.
During the citizens' comment period, Desiree Dyer told the EDA that licensed childcare capacity in King William County is insufficient and that closures are forcing employees to seek care outside the county. "If you want to attract businesses and grow businesses in this county, this county has no licensed childcare," Dyer said, adding that local centers are at capacity and some face closure.
EDA staff and members acknowledged childcare as a critical barrier to workforce recruitment and retention. Jason said the issue would be raised in stakeholder outreach and incorporated into the county's economic development strategy and action-item plan. Members discussed possible partnerships (including with employers such as Nestle Purina and tribal partners) to explore solutions such as incentives, MOU-style partnerships or leveraging new development as anchors for childcare investment.
Officials did not announce a specific program or funding commitment at this meeting but listed childcare as a topic for follow-up stakeholder meetings and as part of the economic development/tourism roadmaps the director will produce.
