Child care crisis carries a growing cost for Cabarrus workforce

Child Care Economic Summit in Kannapolis explores how rising costs, limited access and staffing shortages are affecting families, businesses and the local economy.

Local business, nonprofit and child care leaders discuss the workforce and economic impacts of child care during ExCEL NC's Child Care Economic Summit in Kannapolis. Photo credit: Taylor Main with NC Child.

For many parents in Cabarrus County, finding a job isn’t the hardest part of returning to work. Finding someone they can afford to care for their children is.

The shortage of affordable child care has become one of North Carolina’s most pressing workforce challenges, affecting not only families but also businesses struggling to recruit and retain employees.