Satori School student Avery Diehl, 6, does some ground-level reading. Economic planners say an investment in early education like his can yield immense, long-term returns.

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The future of Tucson's economy is in the finger paint-stained hands of children like Samantha, Nathan and Soren.

They are 3, 4 and 5 — make that almost 6 — years old.

Economic planners say investment in these preschoolers is crucial to a stable economy, but the return on that investment is decades away, and securing millions of dollars and generations of patience is no simple feat.

Still, Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities Inc. has identified education — including early childhood education — as one of five focus areas in its "Power of Five" Blueprint recommendations. National groups insist that the earlier the education takes place, the greater the economic payoff.

Taxpayers' money is too often wasted on "remediation, incarceration and welfare" instead of pouring resources into very young children as they develop their learning skills, according to CED, the Committee for Economic Development in Washington, D.C.

Considering these preschoolers are the future work force, it's the responsibility of businesses to advocate for them, the group says.

Joe Snell, TREO's president and CEO, agrees.

"Educating our children can't be left only to schools," he said. "Businesses must become involved in the process, as outcomes are critical to our competitive position."

He said it's an essential part of recruiting new companies to Southern Arizona.

"Education topics are among the very first questions a potential business asks about during the attraction process," Snell said. "We view education at all levels — even early K — as a future work-force and business issue."

According to the Committee for Economic Development, adults who attended preschool were more likely to graduate from high school and attend college. Once adults, they were "less likely to be unemployed and more likely to have higher earnings than similar students who do not participate in preschool programs," the organization said.

Instead of becoming a drain on public resources, preschool alums add to the economy, according to the committee.

One group, which advocates preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds, predicts that 45 years after such a plan's implementation, the nation's gross domestic product would increase by $270 billion.

The Washington, D.C.-based Pre-K Now says the economic benefits would increase each year, and the program would become profitable in 75 years.

Economists at CED agree.

"Mounting evidence tells us that early childhood education is an issue with serious social and economic implications — explaining why so many business leaders across the country are excited about early education as a means to economic development," according to its policy paper.

"In fact," the paper continues, "the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis has found that early childhood investments have a higher rate of return than spending on venture capital funds, subsidizing new industries such as biotechnology, building new stadiums or providing tax incentives for businesses."

Some are skeptical

Not everyone gives preschool such glowing reviews or is enthusiastic about the business community focusing on pre-schoolers.

"One of the concerns we have is that TREO may be getting a little too fancy," said Darcy Olsen, president and CEO of the Goldwater Institute, based in Phoenix.

She said the "tried and true" formula for helping the local economy is getting business leaders to lobby for lower corporate income-tax rates and fewer regulations on businesses.

"That really would be your ticket to long-lasting strong economic growth," Olsen said.

According to a study by the U.S. Department of Education, the benefits of preschool do not last beyond second grade for the average child. Only when the home environment is unhealthy does preschool benefit children, she said.

"The equation is really simple: The environment entered during the day has to be better than what they have at home," Olsen said. "If that alternative environment is better than home — then the trade-off is worthwhile."

She applauded TREO for making education a priority but said it's best to focus on kindergarten through high school and leave preschool or day-care matters to parents.

For those who embrace the notion of preschoolers as economic indicators, one challenge is getting a public that's used to "instant gratification" to support politicians who include preschool funding in their budgets. After all, the success of such a plan would be realized years after those politicians have left office.

"It's hard for people to put their heads around it, especially in four-year election cycles," said LaVonne Douville, vice president of community development for United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona.

"In fact, we (the voters) don't even want (politicians) around more than four years — we want term limits — we don't want them thinking about long-term stuff."

Still, there are signs of public support for preschool investment.

In November, voters approved the First Things First ballot measure to provide $150 million annually to early childhood education in Arizona. It is funded by an 80-cent-per-pack tax on cigarettes.

Locally, in June, the Diamond Foundation made a $1 million commitment in matching funds to United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona to improve early-childhood education in the region. The foundation will match money raised by United Way up to $200,000 a year for five years for the First Focus on Kids campaign.

"The tide might be turning a little bit here in Arizona," said Steve Alley, president and CEO of the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, which contributed $20,000 to the campaign. "We've always thought of education as kindergarten through high school. The whole idea that early-childhood education matters is relatively new."

But the long-term nature of any preschool initiative requires patience.

"The economic payoff is really far down the road," Douville said. "It's something I struggle with all of the time: convincing business leaders, 'You're going to have to start a lot earlier than you think.' It's not something that's going to happen overnight."

She said many Tucson companies are already on board.

For example, IBM donates computers to preschools and provides interactive lesson planning for teachers through its KidSmart early-learning program for children aged 3 to 7.

"The earlier we can get them excited about technology, the betters students they're going to be," said Kathy Carlisle, manager of corporate citizenship and corporate affairs for IBM Tucson. "We believe it is our responsibility."