The virtual council meeting provided an overview of the proposed 2020 Regional Economic Recovery Strategy for the Mohawk Valley region in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
The MVREDC is the strategic economic advisory board for the region. Albany has asked the numerous councils established throughout the state to submit their formal strategies by Sept. 25.
Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul and state Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon joined the council remotely via telephone, where both touched on child care issues in the state.
"The pandemic has laid bare how critical child care is for families," Reardon said.
Council members said child care was among the top issues raised through various workgroup meetings the council has hosted over the last few weeks.
The group discussed how the cost of child care can affect parent's decisions to return to the workforce as well as scheduling flexibility and businesses having onsite child care options. Members also talked briefly about the possibility of alleviating some of the regulations involved with child care, without going into further detail.
"It is very frustrating not to be able to provide some sort of child care when we have the space," said council member Kevin Crosley.
Issues involving child care and broadband availability are connected through the feasibility of remote learning and working throughout the region.
The council highlighted a recent program implemented by Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. that aims to draw remote workers back to the region. The Reconnect Oneida County program, which debuted Monday, aims to market remote employment opportunities to former regional residents.
The MVREDC further spoke about how the digital divide impacts both education and business and how a private, public partnership was likely the best way to address broadband issues. The council did not go into much detail on these issues.
"Broadband will make or break the success of people moving to upstate New York," said council member Marion Terenzio.
©2020 Observer-Dispatch, Utica, N.Y. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
