Lt. Gov. Davis highlights child care initiatives during Mountain Top visit

WRIGHT TWP. — Lt. Gov. Austin Davis visited the i2M polymer manufacturing plant on Thursday as part of the “Putting More Money Back in Your Pockets” tour, highlighting investments in assistance programs for Pennsylvanians.

“I understand how hard it is when everything is going up, from utilities to groceries, and now gas prices have skyrocketed in recent weeks,” Davis said. “When so many working families and seniors are struggling to get by, the governor and I are working to put more money back into your pockets.”

Davis’ visit to 755 Oak Hill Rd. focused on investments in child care. He also referenced the Property Tax and Rent Rebate program, which delivered more than $300 million in relief to more than 500,000 homeowners and renters last year.

Davis said the administration of Gov. Josh Shapiro tripled the Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit to more than $136 million. Eligible Pennsylvanians can receive between $600 and $2,100, up from the previous range of $315 to $630.

“This isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s the smart thing to do,” he said, noting it will help stimulate the state economy.

He also noted the Employer Child Care Contribution Tax Credit, which allows employers to receive a tax credit equal to 30% of their employees’ eligible child care costs, up to $500 per employee annually.

Alex Grover, CEO of i2M, and Zubeen Saeed, founder and COO of Building Blocks, said the credit can help expand partnerships between companies and child care providers like theirs.

“We operate 24/7, and when child care breaks down, people can’t come to work, which impacts our production, our costs, and unfortunately, our ability to compete domestically and [worldwide],” Grover said. “American manufacturing runs on people, and if we want it to stay strong, we have to make it possible for people to show up.”

The partnership between i2M and Building Blocks offers child care for employees at a reduced cost and aligned with shift work schedules.

Grover said retention of workers participating in the program is nearly 100%. She said that the program has improved production, stability, and workplace culture in a financially sustainable way, supported by the tax credit.

“When incentives are structured correctly, they reduce friction, they reduce risk, and make it possible for employers to invest in programs like child care,” she said.

Davis also highlighted the Child Care Recruitment and Retention Program. The 2025-26 budget allocates $25 million in retention bonuses for child care workers. Davis said the new budget proposes an additional $10 million for this program.

Robert Carl Jr., president and CEO of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, said this is part of the solution to addressing the state’s historic teacher shortages.

“If there are no child care teachers, there are no classrooms,” Carl said, noting that building a strong early learning sector requires paying teachers a livable wage.

Lindsay Griffin-Boylan, Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, also expressed support for the Shapiro administration’s child care investments.

“These are meaningful steps that recognize child care as an incredible part of our economic infrastructure,” Griffin-Boylan said.

State Rep. James Haddock, State Rep. Alec Ryncavage, and Luzerne County Community College President John Yudichak also attended the event.

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