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Press Releases - County Council

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Program will help Montgomery County businesses attract talent


WHAT: Press conference

WHO:

  • Councilmember Gabe Albornoz (bill co-lead sponsor)
  • Councilmember Nancy Navarro (bill co-lead sponsor)
  • Tricia Swanson, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
  • Diego Uriburu, Montgomery Moving Forward
  • Business representatives will be present

WHEN: Tuesday, March 10 at 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, 51 Monroe Street, Suite 1800, Rockville, Md. 20850

TOPIC: On Tuesday, March 3, Councilmembers Albornoz and Navarro introduced Bill 9-20, Economic Development Fund – Local Business Child Care Grant Program, which will provide an incentive to help our County’s small businesses attract talent while also expanding access to quality childcare. Council President Sidney Katz and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson, Hans Riemer and Tom Hucker are cosponsors.

This measure is part of both Montgomery County’s Economic Development Platform and the Early Care and Education Initiative. Each of these overarching plans were spearheaded by Councilmember Navarro and supported by Councilmember Albornoz and the full Council. Creating this grant program will help to attract and retain businesses in the county. In addition, providing childcare assistance will benefit residents across the entire workforce development continuum and expand early care and educational opportunities.

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, “Lack of access to quality and affordable childcare is a significant barrier that limits the supply of talent. Companies that take an active role in helping their employees secure these services generate billions of dollars a year in revenue due to increase workforce participation.” The foundation also found that each dollar spent on high-quality childcare, sees returns of $16, and that turnover because of a lack of childcare costs businesses 20 percent of an hourly employee’s salary and up to 150 percent of a manager’s salary.

The Council staff report for Bill 9-20 can be viewed here.

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Release ID: 20-085
Media Contact: Joy Nurmi 240-777-7961