The Greater Omaha Chamber released a new report, Working Families, Working Economy: An Examination of the Economic Impact, Supply and Demand of the Child Care System in the Greater Omaha Chamber Region, providing a comprehensive analysis of how child care availability directly affects workforce participation and economic growth across the region. Commissioned with First Five Nebraska, the report examines the relationship between child care access, affordability, and workforce dynamics across the Chamber’s eight-county, twostate region. Findings highlight the critical role child care plays in supporting working families and enabling businesses to grow, expand, and compete.
The report finds that inadequate child care has a significant economic impact on the region, including an estimated $1.02 billion in lost business output, $919.2 million in lost labor income, and nearly 3,909 fewer jobs annually. These impacts stem from workforce disruptions such as absenteeism, employee turnover, and reduced labor force participation.
“Across our ongoing engagement with employers, the Greater Omaha Chamber consistently hears that workforce availability remains a primary factor influencing business growth, expansion, and retention decisions,” said Heath Mello, President & CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber.
The analysis also identifies a gap between supply and demand, with approximately 4,730 more children needing care than available licensed child care slots across the region. Additional findings underscore the real-world challenges facing families and employers, including difficulty accessing affordable care and employers citing child care access as a barrier to hiring and workforce stability.
More information and the full report are available at omahachamber.org.