Governor Abigail Spanberger has announced a $7.2 million federal disaster-recovery grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to expand high-quality childcare in Southwest and Southside Virginia.
The grant will increase childcare capacity, strengthen workforce participation and support economic development in the City of Danville, Pittsylvania County, Tazewell County and Washington County. EO Companies, the Virginia Department of Education's designated regional early childhood partner for Ready Region Southwest, will implement the projects, which are expected to create more than 55 new jobs and expand access to care for nearly 450 children.
"Our future depends on our ability to support working families and prepare the next generation for success," Spanberger said. "These investments will expand access to high-quality childcare in communities experiencing both workforce growth and childcare shortages — particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene."
Virginia applied for and received the grant through the American Relief Act, which Spanberger voted to pass while serving as a Member of Congress following Hurricane Helene. Collectively, the projects represent an approximately $18 million investment, with $7.2 million from the HHS grant and the remainder generated through local partnerships.
"Strong childcare systems are essential to educational success, workforce participation, and economic prosperity," said Secretary of Education Jeffery Smith.
The three projects are tailored to each community. A $2.7 million grant will construct an approximately 20,000-square-foot regional childcare center serving Danville and Pittsylvania County, part of an estimated $8.3 million investment expected to create about 30 jobs and serve roughly 200 children. A $2.5 million grant will build an approximately 10,000-square-foot center in Tazewell County, a total investment of about $5.8 million creating an estimated 25 jobs and serving approximately 148 children.
Washington County will receive $615,000 to expand EO's Regional Workforce and Child Development Hub, adding outdoor recreational space and interior classrooms for an after-school and summer enrichment program serving children ages 5 to 12, with licensed capacity for about 100 students. Another $1.2 million will support project coordination and workforce development, including recruiting, training and preparing staff for the new and expanded centers.
"Access to affordable, high-quality childcare remains one of the most pressing workforce and economic development challenges facing communities across Virginia," said Travis Staton, President and CEO of EO Companies.