Economic Development Forum: Investing in Wisconsin's Young Children

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago held its Economic Development Forum, "Investing in Wisconsin's Young Children," on Tuesday, December 12, 2017. This forum will feature:

• Rob Grunewald, economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
  
• Michael Jahr, vice president of outreach and special projects, Wisconsin Policy Research Institute
• Joaquin Altoro, vice president of commercial lending, Town Bank
• Dennis Winters, chief economist, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

Well-focused investments in early childhood development can yield annual inflation-adjusted returns as high as 16 percent. Taxpayers benefit through reduced need for social assistance, increase income tax revenue, less burden on the criminal justice system and fewer children needing remedial education services. Furthermore, a high-quality child care industry is essential for parents to enter the workforce and achieve higher levels of productivity at their jobs.

The forum discussed how public and private investments in young children have implications for business regarding workforce development and bankers through CRA lending.