We are fortunate to live in a community and region dedicated to fostering community and economic well-being, one that looks at problems holistically and develops solutions systematically.
A few examples stand out.
The public health sector’s “social determinants of health” model considers factors like education, employment, health care access, and income level as among the nonmedical factors that can significantly influence a person’s overall health. All parts must be addressed to improve health outcomes.
Relatedly, those working on housing issues now understand that little can be done to help an unhoused person get ahead, enroll in school or seek and secure employment, if they do not first have a stable home and roof over their head. “Housing First” has become their motto. That makes sense.
So does the La Plata Economic Development Alliance’s approach to economic development. For the past few years, the Alliance has been working on workforce development issues, with housing at the top of its list. It systematically developed, and has been implementing, its 3-Year Workforce Housing Investment Strategy available at yeslpc.com/alliance-programs and met great success.
With this strategy, including its Housing Catalyst Fund, the Alliance and partners have deployed over $500,000 creating almost 400 units of workforce housing targeted at the ‘missing middle’ of those earning 80%-120% of Area Median Income throughout La Plata County.
More recently, using the same model, the Alliance recognized the need to address the persistently present challenge of access to child care and released a first of its kind county wide initiative in Colorado, its Early Childcare Strategic Investment Plan (see yeslpc.com/alliance-programs/childcare-strategy).
According to Region 9’s 2024 Livable Wage Study, both housing and child care ranked first and second, 24% and 19%, respectively, in Durango, and tie at 21% for both categories for Bayfield and Ignacio, as the top two highest monthly costs for a family of four. See https://region9edd.org/livable-wage.
In a recent column (Herald, Mar. 2), “The Hidden cost of our child care gaps,” Sarah Tober, the Alliance’s Executive Director, outlined the ‘why’ behind the Alliance’s embrace of this challenge starting with the enormous gap in providers – a total shortfall of 991 licensed spots, 576 for infants 0-18 months, with only 80 licensed spots for 656 infants today.
According to Tober, the lack of child care directly impacts families, workforce stability, business growth, and economic development and results in an annual economic loss that approaches $34 million. A mix of labor shortages, employees scaling back or leaving the workforce altogether, drives up recruitment costs and has some employers looking elsewhere to set up shop.
Addressing child care is as important as housing for economic growth. The Herald’s editorial board applauds this community-driven plan with three distinct strategies, and a $20M investment over five years, to reimagine La Plata County’s child care sector, doubling the number of child care slots for children 0-3.
Thanks to the La Plata Economic Development Alliance, the Early Childhood Council of La Plata County, the City of Durango, La Plata County, the Town of Bayfield, the Town of Ignacio, nonprofit, philanthropic and other partners for your work in these areas. It really does take a village.
To learn more about the Early Childcare Strategic Investment Plan and the numerous ways to get involved as an employer, family, child care provider, donor (tax credits are available), municipal leader, and/or community member, attend tonight’s meeting from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at the Durango Public Library (room 2).
