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New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has announced an investment of over $17 million into the state's childcare facilities. The funding, which brings the total investment in New Jersey's childcare system to over $1 billion, was announced at the Kid Palace Day Care in West Orange. The funds will be used to improve facilities across the state, fulfilling every center's application for improvements.
The investment is part of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Child Care Facilities Improvement Program, which provides grants to eligible childcare providers for improvements that contribute to high-quality early childhood learning environments. The program awards grants of up to $200,000. With the inclusion of the new funding, the NJEDA now anticipates another 200 centers will receive awards, bringing the total to more than 600 childcare centers across all 21 New Jersey counties. Nearly a third of all awards are to centers located in Opportunity Zones.
According to NJB Magazine, Governor Murphy stated, "Affordable, exceptional childcare is a vital part of a stronger and fairer New Jersey economy, and the increased funding announced today will strengthen our state’s economic security and provide equitable opportunities to working parents."
The Kids Palace II in West Orange, one of the centers benefiting from the program, has been approved for a grant award of $189,300 to install sprinkler and alarm systems, allowing it to expand its state licensure to accept infants. Jorroys Reyes-Moton, director and owner of the Kids Palace II, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to expand services and positively impact more families in the community.