GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Funding from the Ready by Five Millage, which supports early childhood programs, was approved by the Kent County Board of Commissioners Friday.

With the approval, Ready by Five will receive $8.9 million in funding to go toward 30 programs run by 16 organizations. The funding will begin in October and go until September 2026. This comes after voters overwhelmingly approved the millage renewal in August 2024.

The Board of Commissioners reviewed 40 funding proposals before final decisions were made.

Over 14,000 children benefited from programs supported by Ready by Five in 2024.

“The Ready by Five Millage continues to deliver on its promise that every child in Kent County has the best possible start,” said Kent County Administrator Al Vanderberg. “These funds strengt

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