Willa Lewis
LCDA member
When I worked as a banker, I saw firsthand how hard many families worked just to make ends meet. Today, in my role with the City of Hinesville’s Community Development Department, I see that struggle in a different, often harsher light. It is not always about bad decisions or lack of ambition. More often, it is about systems that leave too many of our neighbors living on the edge, one car repair, medical bill, or missed paycheck away from losing everything.
At our Liberty County Development Authority board meeting on August 25, we heard a powerful presentation from Leia Dedic of the United Way of the Coastal Empire about the ALICE population, households that are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.
These are working families who earn above the federal poverty line but still cannot afford the basic cost of living where they live. In Liberty County, 54% of households are struggling to cover the basics like housing, childcare, healthcare, and food. Think about that. More than half of the households in our county are walking a financial tightrope, even though they work hard, and often have two or more jobs. They are our daycare workers, nursing assistants, truck drivers, retail clerks and restaurant staff. They are the people who keep our community running, yet their efforts do not guarantee stability in their lives or for their families.
The ALICE data gives us more than just statistics. It gives us a roadmap. It tells us where the gaps are, who is most affected (often single mothers with children, people of color, and seniors), and what we can do about it.
It is about aligning programs, policies, and business practices to meet people where they are.
For example, some employers are already using ALICE data to shape HR policies and programs, improve wages, and offer better benefits.
States like Pennsylvania have implemented tax credits to help working families stay afloat. Communities are wiping out medical debt and providing free tax preparation to give families a fighting chance. Here in Liberty County, we are taking this data to heart. The Liberty County Development Authority has incorporated ALICE thresholds into our own mission and policies. Our new strategic plan and guidelines ensure we offer financial incentives to companies that commit to paying wages at or above the ALICE threshold. This approach ensures that the jobs we recruit and support provide a real opportunity for families to thrive, not just survive.
We also recognize that not every job can pay more. That is why we challenge all employers to be creative in finding other ways to support their ALICE workforce through flexible scheduling, childcare support, transportation assistance, training programs, and benefits that reduce the daily burdens of families. When employers step up in these ways, they not only strengthen their own businesses but also strengthen the foundation of our entire community.
Stable families create stable workplaces and, in turn, stable communities.
When employees can pay their bills, access quality childcare, and live without constant financial stress, they show up ready to work, stay with their employers longer, and contribute to a stronger local economy. Supporting families is not just the right thing to do morally, it is an economic imperative that benefits everyone.
We can do this in Liberty County. As a development authority, our mission is to create economic opportunities, understanding that jobs alone are not enough. As a community, we must support affordable housing, childcare, and pathways out of debt. As individuals, we must see ALICE families not as statistics, but as our neighbors, deserving of dignity and opportunity. The ALICE data challenges us all to help build an economy that doesn’t just grow, but one that lifts everyone with it. Find out more at www. UnitedforALICE.org.