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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260625T080000
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CREATED:20251203T194853Z
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SUMMARY:Chamber Issues Forum: Childcare & Public Spaces for Public Good
DESCRIPTION:Registration & Pricing\n					 \nMaking childcare more accessible and affordable remains a top priority for the business community and is an important factor in workforce participation and growth. As employers across West Michigan face talent issues\, the rising cost and limited availability of childcare remains a barrier to keeping parents from entering\, reentering\, or staying in the workforce. \nJoin the Grand Rapids Chamber for a Chamber Issues Forum exploring how public spaces and public-private partnerships can be leveraged for public good\, with a focus on innovative childcare solutions. Michigan’s nationally recognized Tri-Share model has shown what is possible when business\, government\, and community partners work together to share responsibility and cost—demonstrating the power of collaboration to support working families while strengthening the economy. \nThis forum will take place at Rapid Central Station\, home to a new on-site childcare facility that exemplifies how infrastructure and public space can be reimagined to meet community needs. Attendees will hear from Tracie Coffman of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation on the role of public spaces in advancing early childhood and family well-being\, followed by a panel discussion featuring perspectives from architecture\, policy\, philanthropy\, and service providers on designing and sustaining childcare solutions that work for families and employers alike. \nAgenda Highlights Include:\n\nPresentation on childcare and public spaces for public good\nPanel discussion with moderated Q&A\nNetworking with business and community leaders\nOptional tours of the new child care facility at Rapid Central Station\n\nThis event will provide data-backed insights and real-world examples to help business leaders better understand the role they can play—alongside public partners—in advancing childcare solutions that support workforce participation and long-term regional growth. \nBe part of the conversation shaping childcare solutions and public spaces that benefit our community. \nMeet our speakers\n		\n				\n					\n				\n				\n							\n				\n			\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n		\n				\n				\n					Jeffrey Capizzano				\n				\n				\n				\n					President 				\n				\n				\n				\n					Policy Equity Group 				\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n						\n							\n									ABOUT Jeffrey Capizzano\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n		\n				\n				\n					Scott Lewis				\n				\n				\n				\n					President/CEO 				\n				\n				\n				\n					YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids 				\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n						\n							\n									ABOUT Scott Lewis\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n		\n				\n				\n					Tracie Coffman				\n				\n				\n				\n					Program Officer 				\n				\n				\n				\n					W.K. Kellogg Foundation 				\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n						\n							\n									ABOUT Tracie Coffman\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n		\n				\n				\n					Zach Verhulst				\n				\n				\n				\n					Founder + CEO 				\n				\n				\n				\n					Pure Architects 				\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n						\n							\n									ABOUT Zach Verhulst\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n				\n		\nEvent Sponsors\nCo-Premier Sponsor \n																\n															\n																\n															 \nEvent Underwriter
URL:https://grandrapids.org/event/chamber-issues-forum-6-25/
LOCATION:The Information Center at The Rapid Central Station\, 250 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW\, Grand Rapids\, 49503-4005\, United States
CATEGORIES:Advocacy & Government Affairs
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://grandrapids.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GRC_CIF-June-Graphic-scaled.jpg
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