Senator Baldwin Highlights Expanding Access to Child Care in Platteville, Stands with Workers in Fenimore

WISCONSIN – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) visited with local stakeholders in Platteville to highlight the $2.5 million she secured for Southwest Health to construct a new childcare center. Senator Baldwin also met with Energizer employees in Fenimore who will be impacted by the closure of the local Energizer plant. The closure comes after a 2018 Energizer-Spectrum Brands merger, which Senator Baldwin has heavily scrutinized. 

“I hear from families across Wisconsin who are struggling to find affordable childcare options in their area, keeping them from joining the workforce, stopping kids from getting a strong start, and holding businesses back who need workers,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin. “I was proud to secure resources to expand access to childcare in southwest Wisconsin, get more parents back to work, and support our Wisconsin economy.”

The resources Senator Baldwin secured will help Southwest Health build its new facility that plans to accommodate 120 children. Over half of Wisconsin is in a childcare desert, meaning for every open childcare slot available in a community, three or more children need it. Wisconsin’s economy loses an estimated $1.1 billion annually from infant-toddler childcare challenges.

Senator Baldwin also visited with Energizer Employees and members of the Teamsters Local 695 to hear about the impact of Energizer closing its Fennimore plant. Senator Baldwin has scrutinized Energizer’s 2018 acquisition of Rayovac, which led to price hikes for consumers and put hundreds of Wisconsin jobs at risk.

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