Pittsfield Expands Business Incentives to Attract In-Home Childcare Providers
Pittsfield, Illinois, has taken a significant step toward addressing the growing need for childcare services in the community by expanding its business incentive program. This initiative aims to attract new in-home childcare providers to the city, providing parents with additional options in the wake of the closure of the Illini Child Care Center earlier this year.
According to Brittney Emerick, the director of economic development for Pittsfield, the demand for childcare has surged, leaving many parents with limited choices. “We were exploring avenues to either bring another childcare center to town or to encourage more in-home childcare providers, and this incentive program emerged as a viable solution,” Emerick explained.
Currently, Pittsfield has only ten certified daycare providers, of which eight operate from their residences. The remaining two are affiliated with educational institutions: the preschool program at South Elementary School and Pact Head Start. The scarcity of childcare options has led to considerable concern among local parents and guardians, prompting city officials to act.
The enhanced business incentive program includes a rebate on essential utility costs, such as gas, sewer, and water bills, over a 12-month period, with a maximum rebate of ,000. Within this structure, new providers are eligible for a full 100% rebate during the first six months, followed by a 50% rebate in the subsequent six months, making the initiative financially appealing.
Importantly, in-home childcare providers can now qualify for the program without the typical requirement of employing at least two staff members. This change, however, remains contingent upon the approval of the city council, which allows for greater flexibility in attracting new providers into the fold.
Emerick has emphasized the community’s pressing need for additional childcare solutions, a sentiment that resonates with many Pittsfield residents. “I frequently hear from citizens that they are struggling to find reliable childcare,” Emerick stated, highlighting a pervasive issue that could impact family stability and workforce participation.
The program specifically targets new childcare providers, intentionally excluding existing ones. Emerick is investigating additional initiatives to support current providers, although those plans have not yet been finalized.
In an effort to further gather insights and foster collaboration, Emerick is working alongside the Pike County Childcare Task Force to organize a listening session. This event aims to engage existing childcare providers in the county and explore collective strategies for increasing the availability of daycare options. As the planning progresses, the city remains committed to developing effective solutions to bolster childcare resources.
As Pittsfield endeavors to enhance the local childcare landscape, these initiatives reflect a proactive acknowledgment of the critical role that accessible childcare plays in community wellbeing and economic
