DRYDEN — A project to build a new childcare center at Tompkins Cortland Community College got a big boost Tuesday night, with the announcement of $500,000 from both Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton and State Senator James Seward.

The other $1.5 million comes from the State Capitol Matching Fund and will be taken from the 2017 budget. The money was announced Tuesday at the roll-out of a fundraising campaign to build that new center on the TC3 campus in Dryden.

TC3 President Carl Haynes said Tuesday on the WHCU Morning Newswatch with Lee Rayburn that through donations, state support and fundraising, they hope to raise $5.5 million for the project and for creation of an endowment to help students who might need assistance paying for childcare.

“This center will make college accessible for more people, while also enhancing the education our students receive by providing an incredible hands-on experience in a real-world lab,” Haynes said in a news release announcing the state contribution to the project.

With the project, Haynes and other TC3 officials are hoping to nearly triple the number of students and members of the faculty at the school who can enter their kids into childcare programs at the school.

“By expanding the center, more students and faculty members will be able to take advantage of this critical service providing them with peace of mind,” said Senator James Seward. “The center also doubles as a classroom for students who want to enter the child care field, another clear benefit.”

The center will be named after donor Arthur Kuckes, who gave $2 million to assist with construction of the facility.