ARPA Case Study: New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell Expands Access to Early Childhood Education
Idea Category: American Rescue Plan Act, Education, Funding | Funding Source: American Rescue Plan
In late 2023, New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, alongside city and state officials, celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for the new NorthStar Early Learning Academy, scheduled to open in 2025, to provide more affordable and accessible early education services to over 130 children.
“The NorthStar’s new early childhood education center will offer lasting impacts on children and parents alike,” said Mitchell. “Not only will better access to childcare keep more parents in the workplace, but expanded early education programming will help more children be better prepared to start kindergarten.”
Originally conceived as a need in 2017, but unable to move forward without additional financial assistance, Mitchell infused the NorthStar project with $2.5 in ARPA funds to accelerate the projects and leverage additional funding from a mix of private and public entities. When completed, the new facility will also have a commercial kitchen to promote healthy food habits, and will be used as a community gathering place for meetings and other events on evenings and weekends.
Mitchell has made a concerted effort to invest in families and ensure they are able to participate in a local economy. In addition to other investments of ARPA funds to grow small businesses, this investment in early childhood education will help parents participate in the workforce and will benefit the long-term economic well-being, and social health of the community.
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