KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen made stops in the Monadnock Region this week as part of her ongoing “Affordability Action Tour,” putting a spotlight on rising childcare costs and federal funding she’s helped bring back to the area.

Her day in Keene started at the Keene Day Care Center, where she sat down with local providers, educators and community leaders to talk about a problem many families know all too well: childcare that’s getting harder and harder to afford.

Shaheen said the cost of care in New Hampshire has climbed to nearly $30,000 a year for some families with young children — a price tag she called unsustainable. The discussion focused on ways to grow the workforce, expand access and bring more federal support into the system.

Several local organizations are already benefiting from that funding. The Keene Day Care Center recently received nearly $900,000 through the Northern Border Regional Commission, while Rise for Baby and Family also secured support through the same program. Meanwhile, Monadnock United Way and Keene State College are sharing $1 million in federal funding aimed at strengthening the childcare workforce in the region.

After the roundtable, Shaheen headed to Keene State College to tour its optics lab, where a major expansion is underway. She helped secure $3 million for the project, which is focused on training students in high-tech fields like precision manufacturing and optics — industries that continue to grow in New Hampshire.

She said programs like this are key to preparing students for in-demand jobs while supporting the state’s economy.

The final stop of the day took her west to Hancock, where she met with local officials and firefighters at the Hancock Fire Department. Plans are in the works to upgrade the town’s fire station, thanks in part to $600,000 in federal funding Shaheen secured. The improvements are expected to modernize the building and help first responders do their jobs more safely and efficiently.

Shaheen also pointed to her broader efforts in Washington, including pushing for funding for childcare programs and backing resources for first responders, as she continues her tour across the state focused on affordability issues.