Why the Future of Doorway to Learning Matters to Door County’s Workforce

Door County is known for its breathtaking shoreline, its vibrant tourism economy, and its small-town charm. But behind the beauty lies a growing and urgent challenge — one that affects every restaurant, every hotel, every hospital, every school, and every business across our peninsula.

We are facing a severe workforce shortage.

It’s a problem plaguing communities nationwide, but here in Door County, it’s even more acute. Surrounded by water on three sides, we can only draw new employees from the south. And during the warmer months of the year, our population swells dramatically as tourists and seasonal residents flood into the county. That seasonal influx drives our economy — but it also requires a seasonal workforce that is increasingly difficult to find.

That’s where Doorway to Learning comes in. Access to affordable, high-quality child care is not a luxury — it’s economic infrastructure. It’s just as essential to business and economic health as roads, broadband, and utilities. When parents can’t find child care, they can’t work. And when workers can’t work, businesses can’t function.

Doorway to Learning provides the foundational support that allows our workforce to thrive. We serve the children of the nurses, teachers, waitstaff, shopkeepers, receptionists, and construction workers who keep Door County running. We support the families who serve us all.

But this support system is in jeopardy.

Without retiring our legacy debt we risk a dramatic reduction in our capacity to serve families. The consequences are clear: fewer children will receive the social and emotional support they need during these critical early years. Fewer families will have access to a center that understands the importance of building a whole child — not just a student. And many parents — especially those working full-time jobs — will have nowhere to turn.

The consequences would be immediate and severe.

Dozens of working parents would be left without reliable care. Employers already struggling to fill positions would face even greater staffing shortages. Local businesses may be forced to scale back hours, turn away customers, or delay growth plans. And families — especially those with young children — may have no choice but to leave the workforce or leave Door County altogether.

In a community this small, the ripple effects would be felt everywhere.

This is why your gift to this campaign is about more than supporting a child care center with your investment. It’s about preserving the economic future of Door County. We preserve the child care capacity that our workforce — and our economy — depend on. We protect local jobs. We support working families. We ensure that Door County remains not only a wonderful place to visit, but a sustainable place to live, work, and raise a family.

It’s our chance to invest in the workforce that makes Door County possible. Let’s seize it together for our workforce of today and tomorrow.