But Longview-area children could be the focus of an initiative of Longview Economic Development Corp. in coming months, according to John Stroud, executive director.
"The city needs a 24-hour-a-day child-care facility," Stroud said.
"It would help attract workers and is a work force development issue."
With historically low unemployment rates locally, being able to have child care available for people in the work force — whenever they work — is becoming critical, he said.
For shift workers at many Longview-area employers, from health care and manufacturering to the hospitality and food service sectors, finding child care is a challenge.
"When Neiman Marcus first came to town, there was talk of having a child-care facility in the business park," Stroud said.
Jimmy Howell, who works at Neiman Marcus and serves on the board of Longview Economic Development Corp., said he would be glad to help determine the need by circulating a survey among workers in the business park.
Stroud said the entity does not plan to get in the child-care business itself, but LEDCO could encourage such an enterprise by leasing land at a reduced rate.
"We'll be seeking someone in the private sector interested in operating a facility," he said.