Access to high quality, affordable childcare is an essential element of a thriving community. In Michigan, there is only one childcare space for every four children under the age of 12. This situation is often even more challenging in Northern Michigan and rural areas, like Emmet County, where more than one third of families pay more than $1,000/month for childcare. The impact of this undersupply is felt throughout the community and North Central Michigan College is responding to this systemic issue. It launched the first phase of its three-phased Child Care Initiative in 2022, pulling together multi-sector partners to develop a community-centered plan for a sustainable and viable local child care system.