Governor Roy Cooper is advocating for a $745 million investment in quality child care and early childhood education to support businesses in North Carolina.
“North Carolina excels in business due to our skilled workforce,” said Governor Cooper. “Quality child care and early education ensure children thrive, parents can work, and businesses can hire those parents.”
The lack of child care access is a major economic challenge nationwide. A 2023 report highlighted that child care issues cost employers $23 billion annually in lost productivity, resulting in a $21 billion loss in tax revenue for critical infrastructure and public services.
In North Carolina, child care access is a pressing issue. A recent survey revealed that nearly one-third of child care centers in the state might close when federal Child Care Stabilization Grants expire later this month. Without further investment, these centers will struggle to retain quality teachers, face hiring difficulties, and be forced to increase fees for parents.
