• C.A.R.E Program provides childcare financial assistance for the future offshore wind workforce in partnership with United Way of New York 
• Community Offshore Wind’s childcare assistance program will support workforce at proposed steel fabrication facility in the City of Newburgh and Town of New Windsor  
• Joint venture hosted childcare roundtable discussion at Orange County Community College (SUNY Orange) with local business leaders and elected officials 

Community Offshore Wind, a joint venture between RWE and National Grid Ventures, announced today it will offer $10 million for childcare financial assistance programs to support offshore wind industry workers in New York State. In partnership with United Way of New York, the program, C.A.R.E. (Childcare Affordability and Resource Equity), will provide a stipend to workers and trainees who can then select a childcare facility near their home or workplace. This people-first initiative will help remove the financial obstacles for workers who want to pursue jobs in the renewables industry. 

Community Offshore Wind hosted a roundtable discussion earlier today at Orange County Community College (SUNY Orange) to discuss barriers to affordable childcare, especially for those in disadvantaged communities, and how this childcare funding could help diversify the offshore wind workforce. This funding could benefit local residents with children, who are interested in working at a recently-announced steel fabrication hub in the City of Newburgh and Town of New Windsor. If chosen by the New York Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Community Offshore Wind’s Orange County facilities would supply steel for the offshore wind industry across New York State. The facilities would employ hundreds of workers and trainees that would be eligible for these childcare funds. 

The roundtable discussion featured New York State Senators James Skoufis and Rob Rolison, Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus, Melissa Clark from United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region, Maryssa Navarro, Apprentice LIUNA Local 17, Orange County Legislator Kevindaryán Luján, and Mike Oates from the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation.   

The funding for the C.A.R.E. program is contingent on NYSERDA selecting Community Offshore Wind’s proposal in the state’s third offshore wind solicitation. Childcare will be a part of all the joint venture’s future offshore wind proposals. 

"As New York State pursues a greener future, access to affordable childcare will play an essential role in the success of the renewable energy industry and the creation of good-paying opportunities that drive families into the middle class," said Doug Perkins, President and Project Director of Community Offshore Wind. " Community Offshore Wind is committed to bringing the economic benefits of the offshore wind industry to the communities that can benefit the most, providing the resources to succeed. We are excited to launch this groundbreaking initiative in collaboration with United Way, and we ook forward to seeing this program increase access to jobs for so many New York families as we look to create a more equitable workforce." 

Hugh Parry, President of United Way, New York State: “We are proud to partner with Community Offshore Wind on this critically-needed program to provide affordable childcare resources for offshore wind workers and trainees across New York. This program will remove barriers for workers who want to enter the clean energy workforce, but need affordable childcare to do so. We look forward to working with community partners to ensure that families in New York State have access to the resources they need to succeed.’’ 

Stephen Bedetti, Deputy Supervisor, Town of New Windsor: “Community Offshore Wind’s investment in childcare highlights their commitment to delivering positive workforce training and employment outcomes in the Hudson Valley. Through this new childcare program, members of our community will have the support they need to access career opportunities in the clean energy industry.”  

Senator James Skoufis, 42nd Senate District of New York: “Community Offshore Wind’s childcare funding program illustrates a promise to work with local stakeholders and a commitment to develop and support the workforce in Orange County. These types of wraparound services are the connections we need to attract a more diverse labor force to renewable jobs, and position the region at the forefront of New York’s clean energy future.” 

Senator Rob Rolison, 39th Senate District of New York: “Childcare is a key investment that businesses can make to ensure we are supporting the workforce of today and in the future. That support provides security for families and helps them reach the middle class and beyond. Partners like Community Offshore Wind who are focused on helping people and bringing innovative programs like this one forward are what it takes to revitalize our cities and make a positive impact on families.”

Todd Diorio, President of the Hudson Valley Building and Construction Trades Council: “Orange County will have a leg up in meeting the demands of the offshore wind and clean energy industries thanks to Community Offshore Wind’s childcare investment. Our workforce is eager to be a part of this just transition and now we will enable more individuals to be a part of family-sustaining union careers by providing workers with much-needed childcare support.” 

Kevindaryán Luján, Orange County Legislator: "The City of Newburgh continues to have amongst the highest unemployment levels in the region. This project will create much needed jobs and opportunities for our community members and we are very excited to see the partnerships being formed to ensure this project's success. I am particularly enthusiastic to see the incorporation of childcare in this initiative to help attract a more diverse workforce and to help alleviate barriers to participation. We want our hardworking parents to be able to take advantage of every possible opportunity for upward mobility and this is an important step to help them succeed in that effort." 

Maureen Halahan, President and CEO, The Orange County Partnership: “Childcare makes up a substantial portion of hard-working families’ monthly expenses in Orange County. Community Offshore Wind’s childcare program would provide relief to families and give them the support they need to enter the offshore wind workforce.”  

Michael Oates, President and CEO, Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC): “Diversifying the Hudson Valley’s economy is at the core of the work we do at HVEDC. Community Offshore Wind’s project is helping to bring a new opportunity to position Orange County as a leader in the clean energy economy. The C.A.R.E program is going a step further to support the local workforce by providing equitable access to childcare.”