Childcare isn’t just a family issue — it’s an economic development issue.  A report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, produced in partnership with the Grand Rapids Chamber and Michigan Chamber of Commerce, found that childcare challenges cost Michigan’s economy an estimated $2.88 billion annually through employer losses from turnover and absenteeism and lost state tax revenue. Closer to home, a 2024 regional assessment by the Early Childhood Education Task Force of the Upper Peninsula found that in much of the U.P., there are three or more children competing for every licensed childcare spot — and in some areas, no licensed spots at all. Over half of U.P. families surveyed were spending more than double the federally defined threshold for “affordable” childcare, and employers reported that childcare challenges were driving absenteeism, turnover, and lost recruitment. Addressing childcare supply is essential to attracting and retaining the workforce our communities need to grow.

For Employers: MI Tri-Share Child Care Program 

MI Tri-Share is a Michigan workforce development program that makes childcare more affordable by splitting the cost three ways: one-third paid by the employee, one-third by the employer, and one-third by the State of Michigan.

Who it’s for: Michigan employers and working parents with household incomes between 201% and 325% of the Federal Poverty Level. Funds can be used for any licensed childcare provider serving children ages 0–17, including preschool, before- and after-school care, and summer programs.

For employers, participating in MI Tri-Share is a recruitment and retention tool — a meaningful, low-cost benefit that helps your employees stay in the workforce.

To learn more or get started:

• Visit MITriShare.org for program details
• In the Upper Peninsula, contact MARESA, the regional hub for MI Tri-Share: maresa.org/mi-tri-share

For Entrepreneurs: Starting a Childcare Business in Michigan

Michigan needs more licensed childcare providers — and there are resources to help you get there. The State of Michigan offers a step-by-step guide to licensure covering all three license types:

• Family Child Care Home — care for 1–6 unrelated children in your home
• Group Child Care Home — care for 7–12 unrelated children in your home
• Child Care Center — care in a commercial facility for any number of children under 13

The process includes steps such as background checks, CPR/first-aid certification, health inspections, and an orientation before your initial license is issued.

Resources for aspiring childcare providers:

• Step-by-Step Guide to Child Care Licensure in Michigan — a plain-language walkthrough of the licensure process.
• Michigan Child Care Licensing Bureau (MiLEAP) — licensing rules, applications, the CCHIRP provider portal, and additional resources from the state agency that oversees licensure.
• Michigan Child Care Mapping Project (MSU) — interactive maps showing where childcare deserts exist, provider counts by county, and scholarship usage data — useful for understanding where new providers are most needed.

Understanding the Issue

The MSU Child Care Mapping Project, supported by MiLEAP, tracks Michigan’s childcare landscape in real time — including where deserts are growing or shrinking and how state investments are flowing. It’s a good resource for anyone trying to understand the scope of the problem or make the case for action in their community.

The ECE Task Force of the Upper Peninsula’s 2024 Regional Action Plan offers a deep look at childcare supply, demand, and barriers specific to our region, drawing on data from employer and parent surveys, as well as assessments of municipal zoning and available building stock across all 15 U.P. counties.

Questions?

The Luce County EDC Director, Tammy Lasley-Henry, is a partner in the U.P. Regional Child Care Coalition. We can connect you with local resources, technical assistance, and programs that support both employers and childcare entrepreneurs.