Want A Strong Economy? Provide Good Child-Care

Research by several economists shows that areas with a lack of child-care suffer economically, since parents are more likely to drop out of the workforce or move to communities with more options.

1 minute read

June 15, 2007, 1:00 PM PDT

By Alex Pearlstein


"Child care plays a crucial role in economies, according to the conclusions of several economic policy experts around the U.S.

The most obvious reason is that economies need workers, and workers need people to watch their children. Affordable, caring, and engaging child care allows parents to go through their work day with greater confidence and fewer disruptions. Organized child care centers also create a significant number of jobs and contribute revenue to other sectors, according to Mildred Warner, of Cornell University's Linking Economic Development and Child Care Research Project. Without adequate child care, the whole economy suffers, she and other researchers argue.

The National Economic Development & Law Center, a national nonprofit research, consulting and legal organization based in Oakland, Calif., that aims to revitalize economically depressed communities, studies early child care and education infrastructure in states across the country. NEDLC then recommends methods for government, businesses and child-care providers to better meet the needs of parents.

Regional economies will thrive if working parents have enough child-care options, says NEDLC's Jen Wohl, rather than lose workers to more accommodating cities and states."

Monday, June 11, 2007 in The Wall Street Journal

Aerial view of homes on green hillsides in Daly City, California.

Depopulation Patterns Get Weird

A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.

April 10, 2024 - California Planning & Development Report

Large blank mall building with only two cars in large parking lot.

Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House

If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.

April 18, 2024 - Central Penn Business Journal

Aerial view of Oakland, California with bay in background

California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million

Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.

April 11, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Young woman and man seated on subway car looking at phones.

Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features

It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.

April 19 - BGR

Ohio state capitol dome against dramatic lightly cloudy sky.

Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production

A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.

April 19 - Daytona Daily News

Aerial view of Interstate 290 or Eisenhower Expressway in Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant

Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.

April 19 - Streetsblog Chicago

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.