From the President's Desk

Childcare is a Business Issue — And a Community Opportunity

Summer in Santa Fe brings warmth, energy, and a reminder of the joy childhood can hold—long days of sunshine, play, and time with loved ones. But for many families, summer also brings a stressful reality: finding reliable, affordable, and accessible childcare.
 
At the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce, we know that childcare is more than a personal issue—it’s a business issue. When working parents can’t access care, businesses lose talent. When care is inconsistent, employers face absenteeism and turnover. And when childcare becomes unaffordable, it pushes skilled workers out of the labor force entirely.

A few years ago, we surveyed local employers and learned that 85% had been directly impacted by the shortage of childcare services in our city. Nearly 30% said they were exploring flexible schedules to support working parents.
 
Now, in 2025, we’re asking again: What’s changed? What barriers still remain? And how can we, as a community, move forward with real solutions?
 
To help answer these questions, the Chamber has partnered with Growing Up New Mexico to host:
 
Breakfast & Bright Ideas: The Workforce Starts Early | Wednesday, July 9 | 8:00–9:30 am
 
The event will feature Kate Noble, President & CEO of Growing Up New Mexico, who will share insights into the evolving childcare landscape in Santa Fe—what’s improved, what’s lagging, and how shifting public investments are shaping the future for both families and employers. A tour of the Early Learning Center at Kaune will follow the breakfast, giving attendees a firsthand look at innovation in early education.
 
We’ll also be conducting a new Child Care Business Survey—and we need input from employers across all industries. Your responses will guide how we advocate for policy, resources, and partnerships that address today’s childcare challenges.
 
At the Chamber, we’re committed to advocating not just for business—but for the people who power it. Childcare is foundational to workforce stability and economic development. Let’s work together to create a Santa Fe where families thrive, businesses grow, and children succeed.
 
Register and take the survey at santafechamber.com.
 
Bridget Dixson, IOM
President and CEO
Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce