Ajzeria Crawford's daily commute is much more convenient now that her workplace and child care provider are under the same roof.

Why it matters: She's one of the first parents to use a new center at Columbus State Community College — the latest local effort aiming to address a growing child care crisis.

• A recent study found the cost of employers providing child care benefits is an investment with outsized returns due to reduced absenteeism, lateness and attrition, Axios' Emily Peck reports.

The big picture: More companies nationwide are considering beefing up such benefits, including stipends and on-site centers, amid a tight labor market and dwindling access to care.

How it works: Columbus State's center opened in May with a capacity of nearly 100 kids and sliding-scale tuition based on income.

• It's about one-fourth full as it staffs up, per a college spokesperson. Enrollment is prioritized for employees and students.
• Crawford, a college data specialist pursuing a medical imaging degree, is both.

What she's saying: Crawford tells Axios she is "at ease" knowing her 3-year-old daughter is just down the hall.

• "But my biggest thing is the convenience of it all," the Lancaster resident says. "Being able to pick up and drop off your child and not worry about being late."

Zoom in: Several area employers have operated on-site centers for years, including JPMorgan Chase, Nationwide Children's Hospital, OhioHealth and OSU.

• Franklin County is transforming the defunct downtown jail into a center with space for over 400 kids of county and city employees, with anticipated completion in 2028.
• Intel has committed to bolstering child care tuition reimbursements and other perks as it builds its semiconductor plant in Licking County.

The other side: Google and General Mills recently announced closures of on-site centers due to costs and low enrollment, respectively.

What we're watching: Action for Children, our region's child care referral agency, recently received a state grant to work with businesses to expand care benefits, spokesperson Christiana Sallard tells Axios.

• Meanwhile, state lawmakers are considering a host of child care-related bills, including tax credits to incentivize employers to offer benefits.

The bottom line: "In the last few years, employers have become a lot more aware of the impact of child care (or the lack of it) on workplace retention and recruitment," Sallard says.

Reader Tom K. asks: Why does child care cost so much if the caretakers aren't making decent money?

👋 Alissa here. As a new parent, I've been asking this each time I pay my weekly child care bill.

• Action for Children provided an answer — but it's also a paradox.

How it works: Child care centers make money by enrolling children. But because of staff-to-child ratios set by state law, they must pay for more employees as they enroll more kids.

• The average monthly cost in Ohio for full-time toddler care was $941 as of 2022. Costs for younger children are typically higher.

Between the lines: It's difficult to find help when workers aren't paid much (median of $14.60 an hour, as of May 2023), so it's also difficult to add more children.

• The cost of supplies, utilities and insurance is also increasing, cutting into centers' razor-thin margins.

What they're saying: "Unfortunately, the only variable that can be maneuvered in this situation is child care tuition," Sallard tells us. "Yet this also puts child care further out of reach for many families."

The bottom line: External funding support from businesses and governments could help end the cycle of catch-22s, she says.

📬 We love answering your questions! What are you curious about? Reply to this newsletter and we'll try to track down the answer.

🎬 Fallback Studios is building a $40 million, 15-acre film production campus in Dublin, the only Hollywood-style studio within a 400-mile radius. (Deadline)

❌ Seven landlords accounted for over 10% of all emergency code violations in Columbus between January 2019 and February 2024. (Dispatch)

🏛 A third former Columbus Zoo official, purchasing director Tracy Murnane, pleaded guilty yesterday to eight charges related to its $2 million financial scandal.

• Former president and CEO Tom Stalf, now the only charged official with a not-guilty plea, is scheduled to go to trial Aug. 6. (WBNS-TV)

Columbus police released body camera footage from last month's mass shooting in the Short North that left 10 people injured.

• Police believe multiple shooters were involved and remain at large. (WCMH-TV)

🥒 Cheryl's Cookies unveiled a "sweet and savory" pickle-flavored cookie, available online and at the Easton location. (614 Magazine)

Frankly, we didn't see this coming.

The latest: The next round of our hot dog bracket pits two local staples, Dirty Frank's and Village Coney, against two big-name chains, Costco and Skyline Chili.

🗳 The intrigue: Never think your vote doesn't count — Skyline emerged victorious over Junkyard Dogs by just two votes.

Click here to complete your next ballot before noon Wednesday. We'll feature the final matchup in Thursday's newsletter.

Ohio will be well-represented at next week's MLB All-Star Game.

State of play: Five Guardians are making the trip to Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, while Cincinnati will have one player in the Midsummer Classic.

Zoom in: Cleveland's José Ramírez (third base) and Steven Kwan (outfielder) are on the American League starting roster.

• Josh Naylor (first base), David Fry (designated hitter) and Emmanuel Clase (relief pitcher) also made the exhibition squad.
• Cincinnati's Elly De La Cruz (shortstop) is on the National League roster for the first time.

How to watch: The annual Home Run Derby is July 15 at 8pm on ESPN, followed by the All-Star Game on July 16 at 8pm on FOX.