Childcare as Workforce Infrastructure
New Growth Community Development Corporation and Kids Win Missouri will host two webinars, Unlocking Economic Development Tools to Fund Childcare Facilities, on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. The webinars will introduce a new white paper exploring how Missouri communities can use economic development tools to support early childhood education and childcare.
The same webinar will be offered twice to accommodate participants’ schedules:
- Lunch session: 12:00 p.m. Central Time - REGISTER FOR NOON WEBINAR
- Evening session: 6:30 p.m. Central Time - REGISTER FOR 6:30 P.M. WEBINAR
Both sessions contain the same content and will be held virtually.
The white paper, Childcare as Workforce Infrastructure: A practical guide to using Missouri’s economic development tools, partnerships, and financing strategies to expand childcare capacity and strengthen workforce participation, was written by Sheridan Garman-Neeman of New Growth and funded by Kids Win Missouri. It presents childcare as an essential part of the infrastructure communities need to support working families, employers, business growth, and long-term economic health.
“Missouri communities already use economic development tools to make land, buildings, and infrastructure available for business growth,” said Garman-Neeman. “This paper asks how those same tools, together with community development financing and local partnerships, can help communities develop and sustain the childcare supply their workforce needs.”
The webinars will feature a panel discussion moderated by Kara Lubischer of Kids Win Missouri. Panelists will include Sheridan Garman-Neeman, an expert in using childcare development to support economic development outcomes, and Lamar Miller from IFF, a community development financial institution with experience financing facilities and community-serving projects.
Panelists will discuss the role of childcare in workforce participation, employer productivity, and community development. They will also explore how communities can bring together public financing, CDFI lending, philanthropy, nonprofit partners, and local planning tools to move childcare projects forward.
The white paper examines several financing and development approaches available in Missouri, including tax increment financing, community and neighborhood improvement districts, Chapter 100 bonds, Chapter 353 redevelopment tools, and enhanced enterprise zones. It also considers the components of a ECE facility capital stack, site readiness, zoning, transportation and the long-term operating needs of childcare providers.
The webinars are intended for economic development professionals, municipal officials,planners, community development organizations, chambers of commerce, lenders, childcare leaders and others involved in local workforce and business development.
There is no cost to participate. Attendees may choose the noon or 6:30 p.m. session. Both webinars will cover the same topic. Choose the time that works best for you.
Wednesday, September 30 at Noon
REGISTER FOR NOON WEBINAR
Wednesday, September 30 at 6:30 p.m.
REGISTER FOR 6:30 P.M. WEBINAR
About New Growth
New Growth is a nonprofit community development corporation working with rural communities, entrepreneurs, farmers, and regional partners to build practical connections to capital, markets, business assistance, and other resources. Its work includes the New Growth Women’s Business Center, New Growth Capital, food systems development, and community-based childcare initiatives.
About Kids Win Missouri
Kids Win Missouri is a statewide coalition working to improve the health, education, safety, and well-being of Missouri children through evidence-based public policy. By bringing together organizations and individuals, Kids Win Missouri gives children and families, particularly those facing systemic obstacles due to poverty, neglect, abuse, or racial inequities,a powerful, unified voice in the state policy arena. Learn more at kidswinmissouri.org.