By Melanie Stegner

news@pctribune.com

Senator Amy Klobuchar held a round-table conference with local county officials last week to discuss workforce and childcare issues. Gordy Wagner, Pope County Commissioner, Rick Greene, Chisago County Commissioner, Todd Patzer, Lac qui Parle County Commissioner, Bill LaValley, Grant County Commissioner and Julia Lines, Isanti County Economic Development Administrator were in attendance to share the status of the workforce and childcare in their counties.

“I’m proud to say we have the lowest unemployment of any state, but we have a shortage of tradespeople with one and two-year degrees or for apprenticeship positions. We’re experiencing childcare deserts in our rural areas,” stated Klobuchar.

“Minnesota has been losing childcare providers since before the pandemic, but it’s gotten worse since. Each facility that closes creates a struggle. The number of mothers leaving the workforce with kids under 5 years old is alarming. Over 1/3 of the workforce has altered their level of engagement in the workforce because of the lack of childcare,” said Patzer. “Schools have been trying to take it on, but they’ve been relying on grants because doing so loses money. The true cost of childcare is not affordable.”

“I want to create legislation that puts a maximum amount on what parents pay for childcare,” mentioned Klobuchar.

Bill LaValley from Grant County echoed the same concerns. “The state needs to revisit one-on-one with infant care. The spots are limited and it’s more expensive. We have a church that is working to open a childcare center,” he said.

“Pope County is home to two companies that make aircraft ground support equipment manufacturers that are feeling the employee shortage. Two years ago finding workers wasn’t a daycare issue, today that is the problem and the workforce will take care of itself once affordable daycare is available,” said Pope County Commissioner Wagner. “One of the employers continually has 30 openings. They get applicants and then they disappear. Pay isn’t the issue, they start at $19.50 an hour and are flexible with hours.”

“The county is experiencing a looming crisis. Our largest daycare has 90 kids full time and 40 are on their waiting list. Their lease for space is up and the DEED funding they applied for fell through. They’re short staffed and if they can’t move on the space they are seeking, the county could lose a major provider,” Wagner added. The senator requested to speak with the commissioner after the call.

Rick Greene from Chisago County is experiencing much the same thing. “The DEED funds aren’t helping the rural areas as much and are keeping most of the funds in the metro area,” he stated.

In Isanti and Chisago people are moving from the metro expecting an amount of amenities. The counties need 1,031 daycare slots. One quarter of the workforce left because of childcare issues such as availability, scheduling and costs. “Isanti and Cambridge Community College are working together to put a full daycare service into a wellness center on the Allina campus. We’ve been working with schools on creative options for on-the-job training and opportunities for students to have a more flexible day so they can work at the centers for school credit,” said Julia Lines.

“Childcare for babies is more expensive and it’s not in the workforce alone, there are other factors and childcare is directly tied into it. I’m working on funding something to help and I know that everyone in Washington agrees somethings needs to be done,” Klobuchar said.