PIKETON, Ohio — A major $6 million investment aims to reshape early childhood support in Southern Ohio, targeting both the high cost of care and severe regional shortages. The Ross-Pike Educational Service District (ESD) announced today that it will serve as the lead administrator and fiscal agent for the Pike County Childcare Affordability and Capacity Initiative, funded through a joint commitment from SB Energy and OpenAI.
The comprehensive program addresses a persistent regional challenge: local childcare currently averages around $9,800 annually per child, creating a major barrier for working parents and limiting workforce participation.
“Access to high-quality, affordable childcare is foundational to both early childhood development and a thriving regional workforce,” said Todd Burkitt, Superintendent of the Ross-Pike ESD. “By partnering with SB Energy and OpenAI, we are not just providing temporary relief—we are building a sustainable infrastructure that supports our children, empowers our parents, and strengthens the entire Pike County community.”
A Two-Pronged Approach
To tackle the crisis effectively, the $6 million fund is split evenly between family financial relief and childcare provider expansion:
- $3 Million Family Childcare Subsidy Fund: Provides multi-year financial relief for eligible Pike County residents, specifically targeting families caught in the “benefit cliff.” This includes households earning between 200% and 400% of the federal poverty level who are working, in training, or in school, but do not qualify for Ohio’s Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC). Participating families will pay no more than $3,275 out-of-pocket annually, saving an average of $6,525 per child each year.
- $3 Million Provider Expansion and Support Fund: Dedicated to creating, restoring, and stabilizing licensed childcare capacity. Licensed centers, school-based programs, nonprofits, and home-based providers can apply for competitive grants through the Ross-Pike ESD to expand facilities, open non-traditional shift care, or build high-demand infant and toddler spaces.
Corporate Partnerships and Community Impact
Leaders from both funding organizations emphasized the importance of investing directly in the region’s working families.
“We’re building more than just infrastructure in Pike County. We’re investing in the long-term wellbeing of the community,” said Karl Brutsaert, Head of Development and Origination at SB Energy, noting that the initiative marks their first major investment under their Community Benefits Fund. “Ross-Pike ESD’s leadership ensures that our investment will be deployed exactly where it is needed most.”
Chris Lehane, OpenAI’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, echoed that sentiment: “The people of the towns helping build America’s economic future should get real results for themselves and their families. This investment with SB Energy and Ross-Pike ESD is a concrete example of putting our money where our mouth is: directly helping parents afford childcare and making it possible for more families to take advantage of the opportunities coming to Southern Ohio.”
Next Steps
The Ross-Pike ESD will finalize program logistics in the coming months, with family eligibility applications and provider grant cycles expected to open soon.
For more information on the Ross-Pike Educational Service District and its ongoing educational and wrap-around community programs, visit their official channels.
