Gov. Tim Walz recently announced over $6 million in new grants to expand child care access.
According to a news release, the grants are expected to create thousands of new child care slots and expand support for middle-class families in the state.
In the release, Walz said affordable, reliable child care allows new parents to get to work.
“Investments like this help not only that parent, but their employer, their community, and our economy as a whole," Walz said.
Lieutenant Gov. Peggy Flanagan noted the “historic” investments combat workforce inequities and help build a strong state.
“With this work, we’re taking major strides toward our goal of making Minnesota the best state in the nation for children," Flanagan said. "When we invest in the needs of children and families, we’re building a strong foundation for generations to come."
According to First Children’s Finance’s 2023 child care needs summary, Greater Minnesota is short over 43,000 child care slots with Brainerd, Bemidji and Cass Lake experiencing some of the greatest shortages.
Brainerd is short 716 slots, according to the data. Bemidji needs 479 more spaces, and Cass Lake needs 336.
Other communities in Northern Minnesota short over 200 spots include Detroit Lakes, Red Lake, Cloquet, Pequot Lakes, Thief River Falls, East Grand Forks and Duluth.
Areas with more capacity than needed include Mountain Iron, Fisher, Taconite, Esko and Kelliher.
