Child care access, labor shortage remain concerns for K-REDI

Child care and workforce shortages continue to be the two most pressing economic needs in the area.

Kirksville Regional Economic Inc. (K-REDI) held its annual town hall meeting on Wednesday, talking with residents about what changes have occurred over the last year and what is on the horizon. In speaking with the Daily Express, K-REDI Director Carolyn Chrisman said improved access to child care and filling labor gaps are the two areas they are most focused on right now.

She said K-REDI is trying to be proactive in regards to child care, looking at state laws or policy changes it can advocate for on that end. Specifically, she mentioned a better distribution for county providers who receive state subsidies for kids.

Chrisman said a daycare provider in Boone County receives $33 a day back from the state as a subsidy. Comparatively, a provider in Adair County gets $19 a day. And one in nearby Putnam County gets $17 a day. She said the state's formula to decide that rate takes cost of living and other factors. But those factors don't change the essential service that is there, she said.

"We don't really think that's very equitable," Chrisman said. "... If our local providers got $33 a day, would that be able to lower the cost of care that people have to pay? Would that allow them to pay their staff more so they have less turnover? I think that's a small change that can really impact the industry here locally."

Missouri has new Child Care Relief Funds available for providers who want to expand or new startups. Applications for that opened in August. Chrisman said a number of area providers have been interested in applying with expansion in mind.

K-REDI presented data from Child Care Aware of Missouri, a nonprofit that works to improve child care. That data says 60 percent of Missouri counties are child care "deserts," meaning there are not enough licensed providers for children that need them.

Adair County isn't on their list of deserts, but every surrounding county is. Macon and Schuyler counties both have more than 100 licensed capacity spots unfilled. Needs in Adair County and Kirksville might not be as high, but when nearby communities need help addressing those concerns, people seek out the city. So that puts a strain on what services are here.

The Kirksville R-III School District has talked about a desire to expand the Early Childhood Learning Center. Chrisman said the district has spoken with K-REDI's child care commission, and K-REDI is onboard with that expansion happening. But that more than likely needs a bond issue passed by area voters, and would still be several years away from completing.

More: School board, City Council discuss ECLC expansion, new field, safety

Those child care needs are also a factor in a smaller workforce, Chrisman said. While not knowing every reason someone doesn't work, she said parents have decided to stay home and raise kids instead of working. The pandemic and other potential health issues have only made that a better path for some families.

But as Chrisman was quick to point out, many places in town are hiring. There are "help wanted" signs easily seen all across town. Many would prefer to hire people with already known skills, but employers are now more agreeable to hire and train as needed.

"I still think there is a desire for those people who show up on time every day and do some of those soft skill things that are still missing," Chrisman said. "Companies are really willing to work with anyone to make something work."

Adair County's unemployment rate was at 3.6 percent in August, the lowest it has been all year. Though people who aren't actively looking for work aren't included in unemployment.

"I'm really pleased that our manufacturers and large employers have weathered the storm well," Chrisman said. "A lot of them stayed open the entire time, they have grown in their work, and most of them are still needing to hire people."

A call center is looking to potentially open in Kirksville. Chrisman couldn't say who that would be, but it would look to hire about 20 employees to start. But to have it become more than a potential employer, the workforce has to be there.

Chrisman said a manufacturing job fair is planned to happen in Kirksville in October.

©2021 www.kirksvilledailyexpress.com. Visit kirksvilledailyexpress.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.