HARRISONBURG, Va. (ROCKTOWN NOW) – Governor Glenn Youngkin was in the Friendly City Thursday afternoon for a ceremonial signing of several pieces of legislation that he says will provide record investments for childcare in the Commonwealth.

Youngkin said after the ceremony in downtown Harrisonburg that one of the big components of the Building Blocks for Virginia Families initiative is that it enables families to choose the childcare provider that best fits their family.

“Would I prefer one that is near my school or home based with other families? Or would I like a religious affiliated one?” Youngkin said. “And most importantly, our system – Building blocks for Virginia Families – allows parents to decide, and then we reallocate funds from one program to the other depending on the demand.”

The initiative invests $448 million annually to guarantee low-income working families access to high-quality early childhood and after-school programs.

Giving back to farmers and the Fair

Youngkin later appeared at the Rockingham County Fair early Thursday evening and came bearing gifts.

The governor announced that he is donating his third quarter salary to both the Rockingham County Fair and the Farm Ministry.

First Lady Suzanne Youngkin said during the ceremony at the Hoop Barn that she could not think of two more deserving non-profit organizations to receive this funding.

“Our ministry is using this contribution to distribute high quality beef to the less fortunate,” Suzanne Youngkin said. “That could be a lifesaver for many, and the Rockingham County fair, I hear, is going to be putting this money to help build a brand-new barn.”

Both organizations will receive $21,875 each.

Rocktown Now Editor-In-Chief Calvin Pynn contributed to this report.