Mt. Clemens, MI - Macomb County Planning and Economic Development has received a $150,000 Regional Child Care Planning Grant from the State of Michigan and the Early Childhood Investment Corporation’s (ECIC) Child Care Innovation Fund.
The funding, which was announced Friday, March 10, 2023 by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, is part of a $2.4 million grant program that aims to lower the costs of and expand access to child care.
“Child care is the backbone of our economy,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Access to quality, affordable child care supports parents as they go back to work, ensures kids have the support they need to grow into their best selves, and helps businesses hire, recruit, and retain talent. To achieve these big goals, we need everyone to pitch in. Today, I’m proud to announce that 16 organizations across the state are stepping up to organize local coalitions and planning efforts to make child care more affordable and accessible. Grant recipients will benefit Michiganders in 81 counties and every region of the state. Together, we will build on our vision to ensure every family has access to child care that meets their needs.”
Macomb County Planning and Economic Development is one of 16 Regional Child Care Planning Grant recipients. The goal of the initiative, which is led by the ECIC in partnership with the Michigan Department of Education and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, is to bring together regional coalitions to understand child care facilities and workforce needs and develop a plan that meets the needs and preferences of working families. Ultimately, it hopes to address Michigan’s pressing need for high-quality, affordable child care.
"Macomb County is looking forward to the opportunity to study the current state of our child care system to determine what types of support might help to strengthen it," said Vicky Rowinksi, director, Macomb County Planning and Economic Development. "Soon, we will be calling upon families, child care providers and local employers to provide input as we gather information."
Individuals looking to get involved in Macomb County’s effort should contact Jennifer Weot at
About Macomb County Planning and Economic Development
The Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development supports an environment where businesses prosper and people thrive. Its activities and programs are focused on stimulating the local economy through business retention, expansion and attraction while improving the overall quality of life for residents. The department specializes in providing services to businesses at all stages of development with a concentration on the high-growth industries of aerospace, alternative energy, advanced manufacturing, defense and homeland security. For more information, call 586-469-5285 or visit: https://ped.macombgov.org/Ped-Home.
About Caring for MI Future
ECIC received $12.5 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding in August, awarded by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) as part of Caring for MI Future— a $100 million investment to help more Michigan families find quality, affordable child care in their community. Today, too many communities do not have enough child care options to meet demand. To respond, the state is investing $100 million to dramatically increase access to child care across the state and open 1,000 new, or expanded, child care programs by the end of 2024. This strategy responds to the most pressing needs facing child care entrepreneurs and creates sustainable systems to support the current and next generation of child care business owners. To learn more about Caring for MI Future, visit www.michigan.gov/caringformifuture.
About ECIC
Created in 2005 to serve as a statewide leader in early childhood, ECIC collaborates to increase public and private investment in the earliest years, elevate issues affecting young children and their families, and continuously improve Michigan’s comprehensive early childhood system. Our aim is to create a future where all young children in Michigan and their families thrive. To learn more about ECIC and the Child Care Innovation Fund, please visit ecic4kids.org.