A new report shows the early care and education industry in Nebraska creates millions of dollars in annual revenue, thousands of jobs, and an increased standard of living as measured by per capita income.

The report, The Economic Impact of the Nebraska Early Care and Education Industry, was conducted by the Bureau of Business Research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln at the request of the Early Childhood Interagency Coordinating Council.

According to the report, the early care and education industry in Nebraska employs over 12,000 people, more than either clothing stores or non-casino hotels/motels, and serves nearly 100,000 children in licensed care.  It produces over $640 million in gross revenue receipts, which amounts to one-quarter of Nebraska’s annual cash receipts from corn production, the report said. “We hope this report demonstrates how integral the early care and education industry is to our growth as a state, now and in the future,” ECICC President Ruth Miller said.

Funding for the report was provided by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, the Nebraska Department of Education, the Nebraska Head Start – State Collaboration Office, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, the Nebraska Association for the Education of Young Children, and the United Way of the Midlands. The report was also funded in part by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care and Development Funds.

Full article available at the Journal Star.