Childcare cited as a high priority for La Crosse area workers and employers

The need for good childcare services could be a major focus of a yearly business survey now being conducted in the La Crosse area.

The 7 Rivers Alliance launched its Executive Business Survey, aimed at pinpointing what local companies could use to help them grow.

Alliance director Chris Hardie said workers at area companies have identified childcare as a demand in the last couple of years.

“The needs of childcare are really, across the entire region, and there’s not enough childcare available and that’s keeping workers out of the workforce,” Hardie said.

Hardie describes some of the things workers with kids want to know.

“Do they offer any kind of subsides to employees?” he said. “Ah, if so, what are they and would they be interested in doing any kind of assistance in childcare, as we look for potential solutions?”

Hardie did say one recent Executive Survey in the region put childcare at the top of the needs list, but then it dropped down the list in a later poll.

The business survey also includes questions about topics making the news, such as tax reform and tariffs.

Results will be released by at the the 7 Rivers Alliance annual State of the Region meeting in November.

At last year’s State of the Region luncheon, the Alliance introduced a development plan called ‘WISE.’ The program looks at ways that companies can recruit and retain talented workers.