A child-care assistance program offered by Park City and Summit County generated an economic impact in its second year that approached $7 million, a study has found.
The analysis, released on Wednesday, calculated the impact at a little more than $6.6 million during the calendar year of 2025. The economic impact categories:
- Workforce retention, meaning sustained wages, at a little more than $2.6 million.
- The avoidance of turnover costs, at a little more than $3.9 million.
- Increased productivity, at nearly $34,000.
The analysis outlined that the investment by Park City and Summit County over two years was a little less than $1.6 million, resulting in a return on investment of 325%. For each $1 invested in the program, $4.25 was generated in economic impact, according to the analysis. It explains that the actual numbers likely beat those reported based on assumptions in the methodology.
“The program demonstrates how strategic public investment in early childhood education yields substantial economic and social returns while establishing a replicable model for other communities,” the analysis said in an executive summary.
The affordability of Park City has long been a challenge for the rank-and-file workforce. The resort-driven housing and rental markets have traditionally driven the obstacles to affordability, but other factors like child-care costs have over time become of consequence.
The challenges appeared to become more pronounced amid the strong economic rebound from the early months of the pandemic and the inflation that followed. Park City leaders have attempted to address affordability through a variety of policies and programs, including the child-care assistance detailed in the analysis and the long-running municipal housing efforts.
“For many local families and members of our workforce, the lack of affordable child care is a major driver of economic instability,” Mayor Ryan Dickey said. “This report shows that the council’s commitment is making a meaningful difference for those who need it most.”
There are three sorts of scholarships available through the program. One is open to households in Park City and surrounding Summit County earning incomes up to 100% of the area median income and provides a maximum of $1,700 per month for each child. Another is available to employees working in local businesses with incomes up to 100% of the area median income and provides $200 monthly per child. The third is open to employees of the municipal government and provides $200 each month per child without an income restriction.
The analysis showed the program had significant growth in participation between 2024 and 2025, rising from 125 families in the first year to 162 the next year. The number of children supported rose from 150 to 186. Most of the growth came from within the Park City limits.
“To see 162 families with greater stability, better employment outcomes and children thriving is exactly what we hoped for when we launched this program,” Summit County Council Chair Canice Harte said. “Summit County’s investment in child care is an investment in our community as a whole. We’re proud to be part of a model that other communities across the country are now looking to replicate.”
Another finding showed reduced financial stress, with 50% saying the assistance greatly reduced the stress. Another 35% said the assistance somewhat reduced financial stress.
The analysis also found the assistance “enabled parents to maintain employment, increase work hours, and in some cases, return to the workforce.” Some of the findings included 40% of the people “reported reduced work absences due to child-care issues,” 29% could increase the hours they work and 8% were promoted.