Rep. Scholten Secures $1M Investment in Tri-Cities Family YMCA to Address Ottawa County Childcare Shortages

GRAND HAVEN, MI – After securing $1 million for the Tri-Cities Family YMCA through the Community Project Funding process, Rep. Hillary Scholten toured the YMCA to learn how their project, the Building for Our Future Capital Improvement Project, will help more families in Ottawa County access high-quality, affordable childcare.

“Everywhere I go, one of the issues I hear about from West Michiganders the most is the lack of affordable, high-quality childcare, and as a working mom, I know just how critical this resource is for families across our region,” said Rep. Scholten. “That’s why I was so excited to secure $1 million for the Tri-Cities Family YMCA to help us get one step closer to ending the childcare shortage in Ottawa County. I want to thank the Tri-Cities Family YMCA for their partnership as we work to expand access to childcare to every family in our community and look forward to visiting the expanded center once it’s complete.”

"The support and advocacy Representative Scholten has provided for our YMCA and our capital project is appreciated beyond measure. Funding secured in the FY24 federal budget will build the Y's capacity to expand quality, affordable, childcare. It will support modernization of our facility and make it accessible for all. Most importantly, support garnered for the Y for All capital campaign will ensure the Y is here to serve northwest Ottawa County for generations to come,” said Gregory Coil, CEO of the Tri-Cities Family YMCA. 

This project represents one of the 15 Community Project Funding allocations that Rep. Scholten secured for Michigan’s Third District totaling more than $11.5 million. These projects will work to address pressing issues in West Michigan – from access to high-quality childcare to affordable housing, tackling the youth mental health crisis, and more.