A report by America's Edge shows investments in high-quality early learning programs in New York provide a significant boost to children and local businesses while also helping create a work force with the skills Capital Region companies require.

For every $1 invested in early learning, our state generates a total of $1.86 in sales of local goods and services. Applying this "multiplier" to what New York spends on part-time pre-kindergarten programs plus the increase Gov. Andrew Cuomo is proposing, it would generate $760 million across the state. New York's child care programs already have significant economic clout, employing more than 100,000 people and generating more than $4.7 billion in economic activity.

Just as business leaders demand quality in their products and services, we expect nothing less in the early learning centers in our communities. It doesn't suffice to simply expand pre-K to include more children; we also need to ensure our state's early learning programs are of the highest quality.

We support developing higher standards for New York's pre-K programs as part of the QUALITYStarsNY, a comprehensive initiative to ensure our young children — the 1.5 million New Yorkers younger than 6 — have the opportunity for high-quality early learning experiences. Research, like the Carolina Abecedarian Project, shows children in such programs are 31 percent more likely to hold skilled jobs, can earn 36 percent more as adults, and are four times more likely to have earned a four-year degree by age 30.

The Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber recognizes our state faces difficult choices given the current economic climate. Given the positive and proven impact high-quality early learning has on children and our economic future, we urge our legislators to prioritize and protect investments in our state's early learning programs.


President and CEO, Albany-Colonie

Regional Chamber of Commerce