The North Carolina Task Force on Child Care and Early Education, co-chaired by Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt and Senator Jim Burgin, met at the State Government Complex in Downtown Raleigh to brief legislators and the public on how access to child care affects the state’s economy, according to an April 30 statement. Business community leaders and executives from ExCEL NC also participated in the briefing.
The topic is important because limited access to affordable, high-quality child care impacts both families’ ability to work and employers’ ability to find skilled workers. The Task Force urged members of the General Assembly to prioritize funding for a child care subsidy program this legislative session. They also encouraged lawmakers to set a statewide minimum for subsidy reimbursement rates—a recommendation previously supported by legislation and included in Governor Stein’s budget proposals.
“Our state’s business community leaders have been critical partners alongside early childhood education leaders in helping us understand child care as a key to economic opportunity,” said Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt. “This legislative session, we urge public investment in child care and early education because child care is more than an essential for moms and kids. It powers our economy.”
Senator Jim Burgin said, “Investing in our state’s child care subsidy program and setting a floor for child care subsidy reimbursement rates are ideas that have broad-based bipartisan support. We just need to get them across the finish line.” N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley added, “Until we secure the supports families and employers rely on, like a stable child care subsidy, North Carolina will continue to face a serious workforce and business challenge.”
Other speakers included Gary Salamido of the North Carolina Chamber; Carol Steen of Biltmore Farms; Rhonda Rivers of LeafSpring Schools; Chris Paterson of Carolina Complete Health; Gene McLaurin of Quality Oil Company; Candace Witherspoon from NC Health & Human Services; among others.
Rhonda Rivers said providers are already operating with very slim margins: “Providers already operating on razor-thin margins are missing out on revenue that could help them stay in business and even serve more children…we can help stem the child care closures we’re seeing across the state by investing in our child care subsidy program.” Gary Salamido stated that without enough affordable quality options “employers across the state are missing out on talent they need…Child care is infrastructure that employers…depend on.” Carol Steen highlighted that better reimbursement rates can stabilize providers at risk of closure after natural disasters like Hurricane Helene.
Research cited during the meeting showed inadequate access causes significant disruptions: studies estimate $5.65 billion lost annually due to work disruptions caused by lack of access statewide, with Wake, Mecklenburg, and Guilford counties experiencing about $1.4 billion combined losses each year due to these issues.
The Task Force was established through Executive Order No. 10 by Governor Stein in March 2025 with goals including expanding accessible high-quality options for working families throughout North Carolina.
