This morning for you here at Sunrise,
a closer look at a recent announcement from the state.
This is all meant to try to solve what is
a critical shortage of childcare options around New York.
The governor has said that $100 million will be used
to help bridge this gap.
But how exactly is it going to work and where
does the money go?
We are asking Iran Spitzer live in our newsroom this
morning.
Iran Governor Hochul's announcement is for two initiatives,
$50 million in capital grants for the construction of childcare
centers and $50 million in business tax credits for workplace
based childcare expansion.
The Childcare Capital Program, or CCCP,
will award grants ranging from 500,000 to $1.5 million to
eligible childcare providers to expand existing childcare centers or build
new ones.
Funding will be split 60%
for the downstate region and 40%
for the rest of the state.
Through the grant of the CCCP will reimburse for the
design,
construction, reconstruction or other related expenditures for existing or proposed
centers.
I spoke with Jeff Pierce,
CEO of Childcare Council. He told me that since 2021,
Monroe County has lost 1000 childcare slots.
Seeing 1000 children don't have childcare positions compared to 2020,
here's what he had to say about how this infusion
of cash can help the workforce.
Businesses are going to get more involved in childcare because
really when there's not enough childcare,
it affects the economy. You can't have employees work if
they have to stay home all the time with their
children.
So this is, I think,
a great incentive to tax credit is a great incentive
for programs and businesses to offer their employees an opportunity
to not only have on site care if they choose
to, or to pay for slots and support staff and
support their employees.
Do other. Childcare providers by paying no slots for them
to apply for a CCCP grant.
Applicants need to 1st pre qualify through the New York
State Grants Gateway Online Awards will be announced on or
after July 15th.
Guys, back to you. All right.
Thank you so much Ron.