Tri-Share Program Press Conference, Foundation Launches Childcare Worker Retention Bonus Campaign
BACCF continues the tradition of linking the High Country business community to ongoing support for the childcare industry and its critical workforce
The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation (BACCF) announced a new fundraising campaign to provide direct, one-time retention bonuses to childcare workers across Watauga County, part of a joint press conference held Friday, May 15 on the playground at Kid Cove that also marked a regional milestone for childcare access. Earlier that month, UNC Health Appalachian announced a partnership with the North Carolina Tri-Share Program, becoming the first healthcare system in Western North Carolina to offer this type of employer-supported childcare benefit. Under the model, UNC Health Appalachian covers one-third of participating employees' childcare tuition costs, with the remainder split between the employee and the state. Kid Cove at Lynhill and the Hugh Chapman Early Learning Center are the two participating providers.
"At UNC Health Appalachian, we understand that access to affordable, reliable childcare is essential for working families. By investing in solutions like this, we are helping remove barriers for our teammates while strengthening our workforce and supporting the long-term health of our community."
- Nathan Nipper, President/CEO, UNC Health Appalachian
The Tri-Share announcement reflects years of regional advocacy, and the BACCF's retention bonus campaign addresses the other side of the same challenge: keeping skilled childcare workers in the jobs that make programs like Tri-Share possible in the first place.
The Foundation is seeking to raise between $60,000 and $75,000, with funds to be distributed in October 2026, designed to deliver meaningful financial relief just before the holidays to childcare professionals based on their length of service with their employer.
Halee Hartley, Kid Cove, at May 15 Tri-Share Press Conference
"Childcare professionals are the workforce behind the workforce in our community and their love of caring for children certainly outpaces the wages that have been provided during a time of industry-wide financial instability,” said David Jackson, President and CEO of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. "Providing a retention bonus is our way of rewarding these professionals for sticking with these critical jobs despite the challenges, while nurturing our youngest learners during such a critical growth period in their lives."
October 2024: Direct Tuition AssistanceBACCF fall childcare giving tradition began in October 2024, when Hurricane Helene's impact on Western North Carolina prompted the Foundation to provide over $200,000 to cover one month of direct tuition assistance for families with children enrolled in licensed childcare centers in Watauga County, offering much-needed financial flexibility in the wake of the storm. |
October 2025: Workforce Behind the WorkforceIn 2025, BACCF expanded its focus to the industry by providing tuition assistance to teachers with enrolled children, combined with emergency stabilization grants during the 43-day Federal government shutdown, while subsidy payments were delayed. These efforts were recognized by the NC Task Force on Child Care and Early Education as a proof-of-concept for statewide action. |
Watauga County Childcare Study
The 2024 Watauga County Childcare Study produced by Dancy Research found the average childcare worker in Watauga County earns just $30,600 annually; nearly $14,000 below the countywide average wage and well below the $40,206 living wage for a single adult household at the time. Only 41% of childcare workers in the county have employer-provided health insurance, and annual turnover in the field runs at roughly 17%, compared to a 12% average across all other occupations. Retaining experienced, high-quality childcare professionals is one of the most pressing challenges facing the early childhood ecosystem across North Carolina.
"We want to recognize and reward the dedication of all childcare professionals working in licensed childcare in Watauga County and to make sure they know the business community stands with them in their important work," said Ethan Dodson, Director of Development for the BACCF. "We are committed to making our fall childcare campaign an annual tradition to support this amazing resource for our community and vital part of our economy.”
The BACCF is working with its partners at the Children's Council of Watauga County to finalize data on the total number of eligible workers and is using that information to set the final fundraising target. Bonus amounts will be determined by the time each worker has been in their role at their respective childcare center.
“The more support we raise, the more impact we can provide across the entire industry,” said Jackson. “This campaign is consistent with our goal of strengthening an industry that provides for so many young families to opportunity to return to essential positions within our local workforce. We’ve also shown the private sector is eager to meet public funding opportunities that impact this critical industry. In this time of budget discussion across North Carolina, we feel strongly that investments in our children, and those that care and educate them, will lead directly to a stronger, more capable, and better educated workforce we will need for our future.”
Bonus distributions are planned for October 2026, timed to reinforce the Foundation's ongoing commitment to a fall childcare giving season and to provide relief to workers heading into the holiday months. All funds will be directed to childcare professionals employed at licensed childcare facilities in Watauga County.
To contribute to the 2026 Childcare Retention Bonus Campaign or to learn more, contact Ethan Dodson, Director of Development, at ethan@boonechamber.com or visit www.boonechamber.com/foundation.
The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports initiatives strengthening the economic vitality and quality of life in Watauga County. Through strategic philanthropy and community partnerships, the Foundation addresses critical needs in workforce development, early childhood education, and economic infrastructure. For more information, visit www.boonechamber.com/foundation.