From the President's Desk

Child Care Is Smart Economic Infrastructure

If New Mexico wants to compete for talent, attract new industries, and grow our economy, we must start by investing in what makes a productive workforce possible. That means treating child care as the economic infrastructure it truly is.

Every employer I talk to, from hospitals to small business owners, faces the same challenge: recruiting and retaining qualified workers. Too many parents are sidelined from the workforce or forced to reduce hours because they can’t find reliable care or the cost just doesn't make sense. Universal child care changes that equation. By removing child care costs as a barrier to employment and to a family's financial goals, we strengthen the labor force participation rate, a powerful measure of our state’s economic vitality.

This isn’t just family policy or a social program; it’s a strategic investment. When parents can work and employers can fill jobs, productivity soars, incomes rise, and businesses grow. Research shows that for every dollar invested in early care and education, the long-term economic return can reach up to seven dollars through higher earnings, reduced social costs, and stronger communities. Those are numbers any businessperson can appreciate.

Universal child care also supports our ability to train and retain a competitive workforce. When families have stable care, employees can pursue skills and training, apprenticeships, and higher education, building the skilled workforce that our economy depends on. Companies benefit from reduced absenteeism and turnover and higher morale, while the state gains an edge in attracting employers who see child-friendly policies as indicators of a strong, modern economy.

At the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce, we hear directly from employers who want to do right by their teams but struggle to find solutions that work. That is why the Chamber has been a strong advocate for family-friendly workplace policies, and long-term investment in our state’s early childhood system. We know that supporting families is not only the right thing to do, but also smart business.

New Mexico’s Early Childhood Trust Fund gives us a sustainable way to maintain this investment over time, ensuring that child care access does not depend on federal cycles or budget swings. That long-term stability is exactly what the business community needs to plan for growth.

Universal child care is not a handout; it is an economic driver. By investing in the foundations of our workforce and our business community, we are investing in New Mexico’s capacity to compete, innovate, and prosper for generations to come.
It is time for business and government to lead together. Let’s make child care a permanent part of New Mexico’s economic development strategy and ensure every family has access to the care they need to work, thrive, and contribute to our state’s success.

Bridget Dixson, IOM
President and CEO
Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce