In Oregon, the future of our children is being nurtured with a bold initiative that is expanding and enhancing child care resources throughout the state. As part of a forward-thinking approach to addressing one of the most pressing issues faced by working families, Business Oregon has partnered with the Department of Early Learning and Care, other state agencies, and private and nonprofit entities to launch the Child Care Infrastructure Program.
This program, created in response to Oregon’s House Bill 3005, is designed to provide crucial financial assistance for infrastructure activities that support child care facilities. With $50 million allocated by the Oregon Legislature, the Child Care Infrastructure Fund is dedicated to improving and expanding the spaces where Oregon’s youngest minds learn and grow, ultimately making a significant impact on children, families, and communities statewide.
The Child Care Infrastructure Program directly supports Governor Tina Kotek’s Education and Early Learning priority: ensuring that every child in Oregon has access to a safe, high-quality, and culturally responsive public education, and that every family has access to affordable child care options. By expanding and improving child care infrastructure, this program aligns with the Governor’s vision for a state where children not only have the opportunity to thrive in their early learning environments but where families are also empowered with the child care support they need to succeed.
The Child Care Infrastructure Program creates more access to child care services that meet the diverse needs of Oregon’s families. With increased availability of quality child care, children will have the opportunity to engage in educational environments that are both safe and inclusive, while families can rest assured that their child care needs are met in an affordable and accessible way.
The purpose of this initiative goes far beyond simply building or renovating child care centers. The program represents the state’s investment in overcoming the barriers that families face when seeking reliable, high-quality child care options. As it unfolds, the Child Care Infrastructure Program will contribute to a wide range of positive outcomes: from promoting the well-being of children, supporting the local economy, to enabling parents to rejoin and thrive in the workforce.
By funding projects that involve fixed, immovable assets such as new construction, repairs, renovations, modernizations, retrofitting, and property acquisition, Business Oregon is ensuring that child care providers across the state have the physical spaces they need to deliver top-notch early learning experiences. In doing so, it offers a much-needed boost to the child care sector, helping providers keep up with growing demand, improve their facilities, and make their programs more accessible to families in need.
The Child Care Infrastructure Program’s first round of funding saw overwhelming interest from Oregonians. With 736 applicants requesting a combined $280 million in funding, the need for child care infrastructure is clear. With $10 million available to award, Business Oregon awarded the entirely of the funding in grants to 64 child care businesses in 29 different Oregon counties, helping them begin critical upgrades and expansions. Four Oregon Tribes were also awarded in the first round of the Child Care Infrastructure program. This initial distribution is only the beginning of what will be an ongoing effort to meet the needs of families across the state.
This Spring, another $15 million will be distributed to awardees in the second round of funding. The application portal for the second round of funding opens on March 26, 2025 and closes on April 30, 2025. Visit https://www.oregon.gov/biz/ to apply.
An additional $25 million in Child Care Infrastructure Funding will become open for applications later in 2025. These rounds of funding will continue to address the demands of child care providers, ensuring that every dollar invested makes a meaningful difference in the availability and quality of child care services throughout Oregon.
One of the most exciting aspects of the Child Care Infrastructure Program is its potential to drive economic growth. By incentivizing the development and expansion of child care services, this program not only strengthens the child care sector but also creates jobs for construction workers, care providers, and others in related industries. This broad economic impact will have a ripple effect across Oregon, helping to boost local economies while providing more opportunities for individuals to join the workforce and pursue their careers.
As the Child Care Infrastructure Program moves forward, it holds the potential to create lasting change for Oregon’s children, families, and communities. By addressing a critical need and investing in the future of child care, this program is contributing to a stronger, more resilient state.
