FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 13, 2025
Contact: Andrew Santillo, (518) 853-8334
MONTGOMERY COUNTY RECEIVES CHILDCARE EXPANSION GRANT
Grant Funding Will Be Aimed At Providing More Childcare Options Throughout The County
FULTONVILLE – Childcare is among one of the most pressing issues facing the growing economy and working families across the state and that is no different in Montgomery County. With childcare gaps and the need for more options for working families, the Montgomery County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) is excited to announce it is the recipient of a Mohawk Valley Empowers grant, with the goal of childcare expansion throughout the county.
This $270,000 grant from Empire State Development, in addition to the county’s matching share, will allow the IDA to jumpstart a program established with the goal of creating 10 new family childcare facilities in the county. This program is aimed at addressing the childcare gap currently present in the county, while aiming to provide more affordable options for working families.
“Childcare options are critical for working families and we are looking at providing solutions and more options countywide,” County Executive Pete Vroman said. I know how expensive it can be to raise a family and add to that the rising cost of finding good, quality childcare, so parents can work, and it’s something we are committed to working on.”
The Montgomery County IDA has partnered with Wonderschool, a company that aims to establish and sustain family childcare providers through a comprehensive training and mentorship program. This partnership will help to collectively support the project’s success by combining expertise in economic development, childcare management, community engagements and regulatory compliance.
“This initiative directly benefits our business community because we have heard that some families are choosing between working and taking care of their children,” Montgomery County Business Development Center CEO Ken Rose said. “There’s a significant need and we know that childcare is a reason why employers are having trouble hiring or keeping people on staff, so this was something that we felt was important.”
This step is the next in years of work in identifying solutions to childcare gaps. Back in 2020, a Childcare Feasibility Study was completed, and it identified significant shortages in childcare options locally. This feasibility study showed that increased childcare options would not only benefit working families, but it would also increase the labor pool and help in efforts to boost the local economy.
This project aligns with the goals of the Mohawk Valley Empowers initiative by addressing key barriers to employment and supporting marginalized populations. The County hopes that the successes of this project can be used as a model for childcare programs across the Mohawk Valley and in similar communities that face these same issues.
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ABOUT MCBDC
Montgomery County Business Development Center (MCBDC) provides professional economic development assistance to businesses interested in expanding or relocating to Montgomery County. It offers real estate solutions, financial assistance and incentives, as well as business development and technical assistance. MCBDC acts as the county’s Department of Economic Development, & Planning, the Industrial Development Agency, and Capital Resource Corporation. To learn more visit www.MontgomeryCountyWorks.com.
PHOTO: Montgomery County IDA was awarded a $270,000 grant from Empire State Development on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, at Mohawk Valley Community College, in Utica. From L-R: Director of Program Development Vincenzo Nicosia, County Executive Pete Vroman, ESD Commissioner Hope Knight and Montgomery County Business Development Center CEO Ken Rose.