LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Most people have likely noticed the plentiful "Now Hiring" signs scattered across town, or have at least felt the strain businesses are experiencing from staff shortages.

Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI) said while staffing is surely a problem, the area Chamber of Commerce also feels there's slight improvement, as it's launched a way to hopefully help more people earn a "livable" wage, in Louisville. 

While low pay is one reason people may not be returning to work, GLI's Christine Tarquinio said the lack of childcare options is another big hurdle to clear.

It seems that, just about everywhere you look, there are businesses desperate to hire. The signs prove it, spelling out a palpable workforce crisis. 

"We're all ready for our workers to get back to work so our community can be vibrant again," Tarquinio said.

Some of her members are experiencing exactly that problem. 

"We saw an 8% reduction in childcare facilities in the state directly because of the impacts of the pandemic," the mother of three said. "And then on top of that, when the facilities are reopening they're also experiencing that workforce shortage."

She also cited another hurdle – Kentucky's $7.25/hour minimum wage doesn't really hold up to what it takes for a single parent of one child to make a living. According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, that would be $29.66/hour. 

"There's been a lot of discussion that there will be a tsunami of job changes through the rest of 2021 and into 2022, as people sort of took that time to reassess and decided that they wanted to do something different." Tarquinio said. 

GLI has launched the Career Acceleration Network to help people who get entry-level jobs at some companies the chance to more easily advance to higher paid positions. It's something Tarquinio said matters, and hopes it can make a difference to both employee and employers. 

"We're sort of focusing on that initiative as a way to help our workforce get back to work," she added.