South Raleigh News

Employers across North Carolina have joined Governor Roy Cooper in advocating for investments in quality child care to support business recruitment, retention, and economic development statewide.

“North Carolina is the best state in the country to do business because of our skilled and talented workforce,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Quality child care with early childhood education is essential to making sure children thrive, parents can work, and employers can hire those parents for their workforce.”

A 2023 report highlighted that lack of access to infant-toddler child care costs employers $23 billion annually in lost productivity and communities $21 billion annually in tax revenue. This challenge is also significant within North Carolina, where a recent survey indicated that nearly one-third of child care centers are at risk of closing when federal Child Care Stabilization Grants end later this month. Without further investment, these centers face losing quality teachers, hiring difficulties, and increased fees for parents.

Governor Cooper’s recommended budget for FY 2024-2025 proposes a $745 million investment to enhance access to child care and early education. The budget includes:

- $200 million for Child Care Stabilization Grants to keep centers open post-federal funding.

- $128.5 million for the Child Care Subsidy Program to increase rates benefiting providers and families in rural areas.

- $197 million for the NC Pre-K Program to cover full costs for students.

- $24.4 million for summer care programs between NC Pre-K completion and kindergarten entry.

- A refundable child and dependent care tax credit worth up to $600 per average family of four.

Rosa Manso Herranz from Eli Lilly & Company supported these efforts: “Helping mothers and fathers meet their needs at home is not only good for families and businesses but the overall community.”

Sherri Thomas from Truliant emphasized the importance of addressing immediate needs while working towards long-term solutions: "Parents often face difficult choices in balancing employment and child care."

Danielle Stilwell from Columbia Forest Products called subsidized child care a strategic economic move: "We appreciate Governor Roy Cooper’s efforts supporting these critical infrastructure investments."

Josh Herman from Greene Construction highlighted local impacts: "Improving our local child care infrastructure will benefit our community."

Leila Strickland from BIOMILQ stressed the need for flexible work environments: "Allocating state funds towards a child care tax credit...is an amazing step towards improving child care options in NC."

The full budget proposal can be accessed on Governor Cooper's official website.