ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — An Ithaca-based group is getting an influx of state money. 

Over two million dollars in childcare funding is coming from Albany to the YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County.

Sen. Lea Webb made the announcement on Tuesday, saying access to childcare can be a big hill to climb for some families.

“Having local, quality, and trustworthy options for working families to rely on will boost our local economy and strengthen community relations. The YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County provides essential services and offers fun programming for children that is educational, social, and safe. This is about community development, economic growth, and giving every child the strongest possible start in life,” Webb said.

“This grant will help the YMCA create a new Early Learning Center and Universal Pre-K space that gives more children access to safe, high-quality care while supporting working families and our local workforce,” CEO Christie Thornton said. “Early learning builds the foundation for school readiness, confidence, and lifelong success, and we are proud to partner in bringing this important project to life for our community.”

The money comes from New York’s Child Care Capital Construction Funding Program.