Chillicothe: The Board of Directors of the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce has endorsed a proposal to create a 'Tri-Share' childcare program in Ohio. 

If implemented, this program has the potential to significantly improve the accessibility and affordability of childcare services in our community, benefiting both families and businesses.

The board unanimously approved a recommendation from its Advocacy Committee to back the legislation proposed by State Rep. Mark Johnson, R-Chillicothe, in the House and State Sen. Michelle Reynolds, R-Columbus, in the Senate. Johnson and Reynolds plan to unveil their proposal at a Wednesday press conference in Columbus.

"Over and over, we hear that childcare is a continuing issue that keeps good workers from working," said Chamber president and CEO Mike Throne. "This proposal creates a program that alleviates that problem and gives equal skin in the game to all those who want to work and still care for their children."

The program, optional for employers, would split childcare costs equally between the employer, the participant, and the state. Similar programs exist in Michigan, New York, North Carolina, and Virginia and have received rave reviews.

Before recommending the program, the Advocacy Committee heard about it from local Goodwill Industries CEO Marvin Jones. The Ohio Association of Goodwill Industries made the Tri-Share program one of its legislative priorities for 2024.