A strategic investment into Oswego County’s future
by Austin Wheelock | ooc@oswegocounty.org
Oswego County is growing in so many exciting ways — new and expanding businesses, infrastructure investment, and an overall sense of progress.
However, our future economic growth and the workforce we are preparing to support it are threatened by an affordable childcare crisis.
It is important how we as a county and the stakeholders involved in growing our economy and improving our quality of life respond effectively. We must ensure that everyone who wants to participate in the labor force, especially families with young children, have the support they need to truly thrive.
That’s where an innovative and collaborative solution comes in: the Oswego County Child Care Investment Fund (OCCIF).
Integrated Community Planning of Oswego County, Operation Oswego County, Inc., Oswego County Workforce NY, and the Greater Oswego Fulton Chamber of Commerce have partnered to launch this fund aimed to address the growing gap in child care affordability and capacity, an essential need that will only increase as Oswego County continues to grow.
The OCCIF is based on an innovative and proven public-private partnership model used in other states that pools funding to address child care issues countywide.
The funding is then used to support areas of need like wage enhancement to retain child care employees, investing in expanding child care centers, starting at home facilities as well as other solutions that are flexible to the needs of employers, families and local communities.
There is no “one size fits all” child care answer, but thanks to an initial $100,000 investment from Constellation, along with matching dollars from Oswego County and other private sources, this fund will enable us to leverage resources and customize solutions to meet the needs across Oswego County.
Why Now? The Need is Urgent
The need to focus on child care goes beyond just availability — it’s about addressing capacity with the shortage of providers and childcare slots and the affordability of those services.
“The Oswego County Child Care Investment Fund aims to create a sustainable foundation for addressing child care needs and gaps across the county,” said Sara Broadwell, executive director of the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce. “By making child care more affordable and accessible, we empower parents to engage fully in the workforce driving economic growth while also contributing to better educational outcomes for our children,”
In Oswego County, there are 8.5 children under the age of 6 for every available child care slot. To compound this issue, since the beginning of COVID-19, the number of child care slots in Oswego County has declined approximately 24%. Capacity is an issue, and affordability is another. The average annual cost for center-based infant care in our area is $21,826 per child, which is 150% higher than the annual tuition for in-state students at New York’s public four-year universities.
The lack of affordable and reliable child care forces parents to make difficult choices: spend a large portion of their budget on child care, opt for lower-quality or less convenient care or cut back on work hours.
Many mothers and single parents opt to leave the workforce altogether because of child care issues, which can cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars over their careers.
“Through implementing a child care investment fund, we are not only investing in the well-being of our children but also empowering our workforce and supporting local businesses,” said Brandy Koproski, executive director of Integrated Community Planning. “This investment supports the needs of working parents and strengthens our community by ensuring that every child receives the care and early learning they deserve.”
This challenge also impacts businesses looking to expand, create new jobs or even meet existing demands.
I’ve had numerous conversations with businesses across various sectors, all expressing the same concern: while there are growth opportunities, they are unable to fill the open positions they currently have.
The OCCIF, along with our partner organizations and local businesses are stepping up to tackle this issue. Not only will our funds help expand the number of existing providers, but it’s also encouraging new ones to get involved. More providers mean more options for families and more potential workers for businesses to thrive.
A Community Effort
What’s truly exciting about the OCCIF is how it unites both the public and private sectors. It’s a testament to the power of collaboration — when everyone comes together, great things happen.
I’m proud to work alongside dedicated leaders like Rachel Pierce from the Workforce Development Board of Oswego County, Sara Broadwell from the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce and Brandy Koproski from Integrated Community Planning to ensure the success of this initiative. Together, we are creating a meaningful impact and driving positive change in our community.
As Oswego County continues to grow, the Oswego County Child Care Investment Fund is a shining example of how collaboration can create lasting change.
This initiative not only addresses an immediate need for child care but also lays the groundwork for a stronger, more resilient workforce and a thriving local economy.
By supporting this fund — whether through donations or by spreading the word — everyone has the opportunity to help build a brighter future for families, children and the entire community. The impact of this investment will ripple across generations, strengthening Oswego County’s foundation for years to come.
Although we’re just getting started, our goal is to deepen partnerships with businesses and secure local, state and federal funding to grow the fund, making it a sustainable solution to address child care affordability and capacity gap in Oswego County.
As Rachel Pierce, executive director of the Workforce Development Board of Oswego County, said, “Investing in quality child care is an investment in the economic and social future of our community.”
If you are interested in how you can help the support the Oswego County Childcare Investment Fund, or want to learn more, please reach out.
Austin M. Wheelock, certified economic developer (CEcD), is the executive director of Operation Oswego County, Inc. For more information, call 315-343-1545 or visit www.oswegocounty.org.
