After discussions, vetoes and negotiations, a series resolutions came from a special meeting Thursday morning.

"Did it have to be that way? No," Erie County Councilman Terry Scutella said. "At least a negotiation got it to where that money is going to do the most good."

The Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority (ECGRA) is officially receiving $2.5 million dollars to use for the Erie County Investing in Families initiative. It consists of funding for local childcare facilities and programs to invest in the next generation across the county.

The money comes from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, which has to be returned to the United States Department of the Treasury if not obligated by the end of the year.

"Hopefully, we'll be finding some matching funds here pretty soon," ECGRA Executive Director Perry Wood said.

Wood explained how there is a dire need for daycare workers in the area. He said 1,500 daycare slots are needed in the city of Erie, and an additional 1,000 are needed county-wide.

"That's 2,500 slots in Erie County that are needed in order to help working families get up every day, go to work and know that they have their child in a quality daycare system," Wood said.

Nadine Leach Pickens, CEO of Handled with Care Childcare on State Street in downtown Erie, is optimistic after hearing about the funding.

"It's very important for our community," Pickens said. "It's allowing us to put us in a better position of hiring more qualified staff."

Pickens attended the ECGRA meeting over Zoom, and she is excited for potential future resources for the kids in the facility.

"Without childcare, our parents can't work, they can't make money, they can contribute to society," Pickens said. "It's a trickle-down effect."

ECGRA also received a six-month grant agreement extension from Erie County Executive Brenton Davis on the remaining nearly $330,000 in ARPA money, switching it to the Transformational Grant category.

In addition, ECGRA is providing $500,000 in funding to the county for an emergency funding request from the recent snow emergency costs.