Lake Washington Institute of Technology Receives $1 Million in Federal Funding

Community Project Funding to Replace Portable Classrooms in Early Learning Center

KIRKLAND, Wash. – Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech), is receiving $1 million in federal funding from the Community Project Funding (CPF) to replace portable classrooms in the Early Learning Center (ELC), on LWTech’s Kirkland campus.

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) secured $7 million for 10 local projects in the bipartisan FY22 federal funding bill that President Biden recently signed. Funding for this project will allow LWTech to continue offering high-quality, low-cost childcare for 74 children of college students, employees and residents of the 1st Congressional District community.

“Making sure that all Washington families have access to affordable childcare is one of my top priorities in Congress,” said DelBene.“ I secured critical funding for Lake Washington Institute of Technology that will help replace and expand childcare facilities to support employees, students, and community members. This must be one of many investments to expand childcare across the region, and I will continue to fight so all parents have access to affordable, high-quality care for their kids.”

The ELC is currently housed in portable buildings that have outlived their lifespan and must be replaced; this funding will allow LWTech to implement modern, safe, and accessible classrooms. On-site childcare for community members means that parents in the community can return to their workplace, and student parents are more likely to attend and complete programs of study that lead to high wage, high demand jobs.

“This funding is a game-changer for our college and our greater community. Childcare is essential to student achievement, employee recruitment and retention, as well as community stability. This CPF will allow us to replace our 25-year-old portables that currently make up our childcare center,” said Dr. Amy Morrison, President of Lake Washington Institute of Technology. “Now, we will be able to increase the number of students served by our Early Learning Center and do so with new, healthy, and sustainable facilities. I cannot thank Congresswoman DelBene and her staff enough for their leadership and advocacy supporting LWTech and our hard-working students for many years.”

LWTech hopes to open the new ELC within a year.