Sen. Tepler attends Bath YMCA, Bath Iron Works child care center groundbreaking

AUGUSTA — On December 16, Sen. Denise Tepler, D-Topsham, joined local and state officials and other stakeholders at the groundbreaking of a new child care center in Brunswick. The childcare center will create 132 spots for new children, 120 of which will be reserved for the children of Bath Iron Works shipbuilders. 

“I’m very excited that Bath Iron Works and the Bath Area YMCA have undertaken this initiative,” said Sen. Tepler. “This new child care center will be a win for the families who have members that work at BIW and the community in general and I hope this partnership serves as a model for other nonprofit and business cooperation in creating more childcare opportunities in Maine.” 

“This is a first-of-its-kind opportunity,” said Bath Area YMCA CEO Rob Gray. “It is the first time in YMCA history that the local YMCA, the national YMCA, a national defense contractor and the Department of the Navy have partnered together for an endeavor such as this.”

The Brunswick Early Learning Center is in partnership with the Bath Area Family YMCA and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. The center is expected to open Fall 2025. 

PHOTO CAPTION: Sen. Denise Tepler D-Topsham and the Honorable Eloise Vitelli celebrate the new child care center groundbreaking.