Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center Groundbreaking

Empire State Development Announces Groundbreaking of The Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center

New Facility Will Expand Child Care and Educational Programs for Working Families in the Bridgehampton Community

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the groundbreaking of the Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center in Bridgehampton, Suffolk county. The Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center will construct a new 7,800 square feet building to expand child care service capacity and educational programs to lower income working families in the Bridgehampton community.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated inequalities that already existed in our society, and nowhere is that more prevalent than with child care,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Chair of the statewide Regional Economic Development Councils. “Through the Regional Economic Development Councils, we are focused on investing in child care and job training to help individuals and families get back to work and have access to affordable, quality child care options. The groundbreaking of the Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center will expand child care services in the area and provide educational programs for children and working families. As we work to build back better and more inclusive, we must continue to invest in child care for all New Yorkers.”​

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and CEO and President-Designate Eric Gertler said, “Many families across the state have limited access to affordable, quality childcare, and where spots are limited or far from home and work, creates a real challenge for working parents. This investment towards the expansion of the Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center makes economic sense and is a necessary component of supporting working families and growing the local economy.”

Bonnie Michelle Cannon, Executive Director, Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center said, “The outpouring of love and generosity from our community and New York State has been amazing. We are so grateful that The Center’s dream of a new building is becoming a reality. The New York State grant award truly gave us the momentum that we needed to raise the additional funds to build. Special thanks to Assemblyman Fred Thiele and ESD’s Denise Zani who helped guide us through the process. Our children and families thank you. We are feeling blessed.”

The Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center will construct a $2.9 million, 7,828 square feet facility in the Village of Bridgehampton, expanding their childcare offerings and capacity to working families in the community. To assist with construction, the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council has awarded a Round VIII ESD Capital Grant in the amount of $300,000. Bridgehampton Child Care also was awarded a $25,000 grant from Long Island Community Foundation to develop a career training program that will provide higher-wage entry level jobs to participants upon completion and service the East End communities from Riverhead to Montauk. Construction is expected to be completed in the Fall of 2021. 

LIREDC Co-Chairs Kevin Law, President of the Long Island Association and Stuart Rabinowitz, President of Hofstra University said, “One of the biggest challenges for families is often finding child care, and tackling this challenge is a one of our biggest priorities. This investment is part of finding long term solutions that help families overcome the barriers to finding childcare in their community that not only allows parents to work but gives them the peace of mind that their children will be nurtured and well cared for.”

State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle said, “This is an exciting day for the Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreation Center and the community it serves. This Center will help meet a critical need for residents. I am pleased that the state is partnering with Bridgehampton Child Care Center in an effort to ensure quality child care, educational and recreational programs for local families,”

Assemblymember Fred W. Thiele, Jr. said, "The Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreation Center has long been a beacon in our community, offering educational and enrichment programs to students and serving as a dedicated lifeline to working families on the East End. I was pleased to secure $125,000 in capital funding under the State and Municipal (SAM) Community Projects program in the 2018-19 State Budget for this essential construction project, which will be instrumental in The BCCRC's ability to expand their capacity to serve the families of the East End. I thank Empire State Development and the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council for recognizing the importance of this organization and awarding this Capital Grant to make this project possible. I look forward to the groundbreaking and the continued work of the BCCRC in our community."

“For decades, the Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center has been assisting families and helping children thrive with their wide array of programs and activities,” said County Executive Bellone. “This new facility will build on the center’s success and allow them to serve even more families in need. I want to thank Governor Cuomo for his continued investments to strengthen our communities, create new opportunities for Suffolk families, and help ensure prosperity for all.” 

About Empire State Development

Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency. The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of "I LOVE NY," the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, please visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov   and www.esd.ny.gov.

Contact:

Kristin Devoe | [email protected] | (518)-414-1087

ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313