It’s an ordinary Tuesday when the call comes in.

You know the drill. Schedules are upended, and it’s all hands on deck. Emails fly, the team gathers, and you urge everyone to match your sense of urgency.

In the conference room, you take stock of your team, silently calling roll in your head.
CFO – check.
Internal Communications Manager – check.
Project Manager – check.
Chief Operating Officer – check.
Marketing Director – no check.

Where’s the Marketing Director? Where’s Sam, the key to your team’s ability to communicate and respond effectively in this crisis?

When you ask, the answer is clear yet frustrating: Sam’s at home because their childcare situation changed. They’ll be out all week—maybe longer.

According to the most recent Spokane County State of the Children report, the economic impact around lack of affordable childcare is clear with impacts to Spokane employers, families and small business childcare providers. A statewide Ready Nation report tags the economic impact of lack of care at approximately $5 Billion throughout Washington State.

It takes countless "Sams" to add up to $5 billion, and those individual stories are making a significant impact.

Greater Spokane Incorporated (GSI) CEO Alisha Benson sees these numbers as a call to action. “Measuring impact is crucial because it puts a clear lens on the problem. Behind the numbers are real people. Terms like 'business community' or 'workforce' can feel abstract, but focusing on the individuals they represent is more effective. The business community is deeply invested in childcare because we’re not just employers—we’re parents and employees too.”

Benson adds, “Our personal experience with this crisis is why we care so deeply. Recognizing that it goes beyond the personal—negatively impacting our economy—makes finding meaningful solutions even more urgent.”

Why GSI is going to move the conversation forward

As Spokane’s regional business development organization, GSI plays a pivotal role in tackling complex, long-term challenges that demand collaboration from diverse stakeholders—business leaders, educators, childcare providers, and policymakers. Designing sustainable solutions around childcare to impact affordability, availability, inclusivity, and flexibility will require every ounce of GSI’s long practiced expertise around community building.

By facilitating these conversations, GSI seeks to align childcare solutions with the needs of businesses, families, and, most importantly, children.

How childcare impacts the future

Children must remain at the core of the childcare conversation. As the primary beneficiaries and central focus of the system, their well-being drives the need for thoughtful solutions. Dr. Soleil Boyd, Senior Program Officer at WA STEM—a statewide organization that uses research and community insights to create meaningful impact for students—underscores this importance: “ninety percent of brain development occurs before Kindergarten, and access to high quality early learning is one of the best investments for young children we can make.” Children without access to early learning opportunities miss key developmental milestones, impacting future education and workforce readiness. A strong childcare infrastructure isn’t just good for families—it’s a foundational investment in Spokane’s future prosperity.

2025: A transformative year for childcare and early learning in Spokane

Childcare conversations are gaining momentum across Spokane, driven by initiatives like Priority Spokane’s work, the University District’s childcare steering committee, and growing interest in coordinated enrollment for Transitional Kindergarten in K-12 education. These efforts show Spokane is ready to tackle this challenge.

As we enter 2025, let’s rally around these initiatives with the unwavering support and enthusiasm that define our community. Let’s do it not just for families like Sam’s but for everyone in Spokane. Investing in childcare and early learning isn’t just right—it’s a powerful driver for our economy and future. For more information on supporting childcare solutions or becoming an advocate, contact Erin Vincent, evincent@greaterspokane.org, GSI Vice President of Education and Talent.