State Treasurer Visits Childcare Center to Discuss Workforce Challenges

Pack tours Beaver Stepping Stones academy, touts bills to expand employer-supported childcare

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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West Virginia State Treasurer Larry Pack visited Stepping Stones Academy in Beaver to hear directly from childcare providers about the cost pressures and operational constraints impacting access to childcare for working families. Pack touted two bills in the state legislature that aim to broaden employer-supported childcare by expanding tax credits beyond on-site facilities to include subsidies for licensed third-party providers.

Why it matters

Lack of affordable and accessible childcare has become a major workforce issue in West Virginia, hurting employers' ability to attract and retain workers. The proposed legislation aims to incentivize more employers to support childcare options for their employees, which could help address this critical economic development challenge.

The details

The bills, HB 4517 and SB 646, would allow employers to pay for licensed third-party childcare for their employees through contracts or subsidies and still qualify for the state's childcare tax credit, even if the facility is located off-site. The legislation would also increase the credit values to make participation more realistic for small businesses. During his visit, Pack heard that Stepping Stones Academy is operating at only two-thirds capacity due to staffing shortages, despite having the ability to serve more families.

  • On February 19, 2026, State Treasurer Larry Pack toured Stepping Stones Academy.
  • On February 18, 2026, HB 4517 passed out of the House Health Committee and is awaiting a Finance Committee agenda placement.

The players

Larry Pack

The West Virginia State Treasurer who toured Stepping Stones Academy to hear directly from childcare providers about the challenges they face.

Del. Pritt

A Republican delegate from Fayette County who outlined where the childcare tax credit bills stand in the legislative process.

Jina Belcher

The executive director of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority who described the visit as a workforce and recruitment issue as much as a family care issue.

Del. Carl 'Bill' Roop

A Republican delegate from Raleigh County who argued the state needs sharper focus on childcare to strengthen workforce participation.

Stepping Stones Academy

A childcare center in Beaver, West Virginia that is operating at two-thirds capacity due to staffing shortages despite having the ability to serve more families.

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What they’re saying

“We're here today to hear some of the specific struggles that they're having and what can we do back in Charleston to try to help.”

— Larry Pack, State Treasurer (wvpress.org)

“The bill passed out of the House Health Committee on Feb. 18. It is awaiting a Finance Committee agenda placement. Bills like this are incredibly important for working people. We have a huge deficit of childcare opportunities for families in our area [which] hurts employers more than anyone else.”

— Del. Pritt, Republican Delegate (wvpress.org)

“Obviously, childcare is a huge challenge in economic development, business recruitment and retention.”

— Jina Belcher, Executive Director, New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (wvpress.org)

What’s next

The two bills, HB 4517 and SB 646, remain pending as lawmakers continue to work through the legislative session.

The takeaway

Addressing the childcare crisis in West Virginia is critical for strengthening the state's workforce and supporting economic development. The proposed legislation to expand employer-supported childcare options could help attract and retain workers, benefiting both families and businesses across the state.