FLINT — Priority Children, the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Genesee Intermediate School District will host a Great Start Collaborative breakfast on the importance of investing in early childhood education 7:30-9 a.m. Aug. 12 at the Sarvis Convention Center.

The event is billed as an opportunity for local business leaders to come together with educators to discuss the role of high-quality early education in student success and employability.

“High-quality early childhood education creates a foundation that Flint needs to improve its ability to compete in the worldwide knowledge economy,” said Robert L. Rummel, senior vice president of Chase Bank and board member for the Early Childhood Investment Corporation.

According to Priority Children, research shows that returns from investing in early childhood education include improvement in education performance and test scores; reductions in special education and number of students dropping out; increases in high school graduation and college enrollment rates; short-term gains in IQ scores; reductions in juvenile delinquency; higher earnings; reduction in welfare use; reduction in child abuse; and a larger, more qualified workforce for employers.

“A child’s experiences in the first five years of life create a path for success in school and work. Genesee County businesses increasingly need a highly skilled workforce and can benefit by supporting efforts to improve services for our youngest children,” Rummel said.

The breakfast will feature special guest speaker Rob Gruenwald, associate economist of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Gruenwald will speak to the community leaders about the direct financial impact education investment has on their businesses. At the end of the presentation, there is a brief feedback opportunity.

The event is free, but space is limited. To register, visit www.prioritychildren.org or email kids@prioritychildren.org. The Sarvis Conference Center is located in the Flint Cultural Center, 1231 E. Kearsley St. — Anna Stodola

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