It may not seem likely, but child care is a key driver of economic development.

Now, that statement may leave some folks scratching their heads. How can providing a safe space for little ones help to power economic growth?

Well, here’s how it works. Businesses obviously need workers if they are to thrive and grow. But lots of people, especially women, need a place for their kids to go while they are at work. Providing more child care opportunities gives those people the opportunity to get out into the workforce. They earn a living and businesses get the workforce they need.

For about three years, a program in Hamilton County funded by donors has been working to ensure there are adequate child care opportunities there so that more people can get into the workforce. Recently, this innovative effort was recognized with the award of $414,000 state grant.

The Hamilton County Childcare Coalition has focused on supplementing the wages of the people who work in day care facilities. The guiding principle is that if those workers are earning decent wages, they will stay in the profession and others might go into it. In the long run, that will provide more child care openings. With more openings, more kids get into day care and more parents get into the workforce.

To make it possible to supplement those wages, the coalition has solicited donations to a fund managed by Enhance Hamilton County.

The effort is a public-private partnership that includes Hamilton County, Enhance Hamilton County, Building Families and local businesses.

When the effort started, the four principal day cares in the county had trouble recruiting and retaining staff. Therefore, they could not accept as many kids.

Since the program started, those centers have full rosters of employees and kids, In fact three of the centers are considering expanding.

This is an innovative arrangement that should be a model for communities throughout Iowa.

We congratulate and thank all those who came together to make this concept a success.