What are the most pressing concerns for businesses? The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Arkansas surveyed members last year and asked them to rank their top concerns among 12 pressing issues that affect their ability to do business in Arkansas — issues such as overregulation, housing availability, rising inflation and supply chain challenges.

Unsurprisingly, members ranked workforce availability as their top challenge. That’s no shock, considering employers in every industry in the nation face significant hurdles when filling job vacancies.

Workforce is clearly top of mind for our members, and according to those who participated in the survey, child care is, well, not. When asked about issues that affect their ability to do business in the state, our members collectively ranked child care as the least pressing challenge they face compared to the other issues listed.

Like it or not, though, child care is among the most pressing challenges for their employees.

Almost three-quarters of working parents report that access to childcare is a challenge. According to a 2021 report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the absence of dependable child care options keeps parents from entering the workforce. Plus, parents who are in the workforce often reduce their working hours or leave the labor force altogether because they cannot find affordable care for their kids. The loss of working parents from the pool of potential employees carries huge implications for the economic well-being of our state, and employers are among those who are most impacted by the loss.

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Click here to read the full article in Arkansas Money & Politics.