Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited the Ogdensburg Bridge & Port Authority (OBPA) to highlight the $2.1 million in federal funding she fought to secure for OBPA to develop a new 15,000 square foot child care facility in the community. Ogdensburg currently has few local child care options; this new facility, which is expected to open in September 2025, will provide 300 families in the area with high-quality, affordable care close to home. After construction is complete, The Arc Jefferson – St. Lawrence, a social services organization and preschool operator, will run the center.
“High-quality child care is a necessity for working families, but it is inaccessible and unaffordable for too many parents,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This new facility will be transformative for Ogdensburg. It will allow parents to return to the workforce, attract and retain talent in the area, help the local economy grow and thrive, and make Ogdensburg a more family-friendly place. I am proud to have fought to secure this funding and I will keep working to deliver federal resources to the North Country.”
“We are fortunate to have elected officials such as Senator Gillibrand advocating for transformative projects that will have a positive impact on our community. Through her leadership and courage in tackling the big problems we are confident that initiatives such as improving access to childcare will lead to greater economic opportunities for the people we serve,” said Steve Lawrence, Executive Director of the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority.“We are very appreciative of the work Senator Gillibrand has done for us and look forward to our continued collaborations in all the good work we have in front of us.”
“Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA Rural Development is proud to partner and assist on projects like the Ogdensburg Bridge & Port Authority Childcare Center, in St. Lawrence County,” said USDA Rural Development, State Director Brian Murray. “Through Senator Gillibrand’s dedication and commitment to the region, the port authority is taking steps to create a sense community for families as well as providing an opportunity for these children to reach their fullest potential.”
“It is an honor for The Arc Jefferson – St. Lawrence to partner with the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority to address the childcare needs in St. Lawrence County and more specifically in the City of Ogdensburg,” said Lynn Pietroski, Chief Executive Officer of The Arc Jefferson – St. Lawrence. “We are grateful for Senator Gillibrand’s leadership to secure the funding for this project and looking forward to combining our agency’s success as a Preschool operator for children of all abilities with OBPA’s innovative approach to economic development in the area.”