Gov. Phil Murphy has signed a bill to direct $10 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds to the state’s child care industry.

Officials say that the pandemic has hit the child care centers hard this past year. The funds will help businesses like Littler Learners Child Development Center in Hackensack.

“Child care is education for young children. However, this funding will allow providers to increase staff wages, assist in paying monthly expenses, help families with mental health support,” says Little Learners owner Dawn Cleveland. “We will have the ability to purchase equipment and supplies needed for our child care centers.”

The bill is part of a larger $100 million COVID-19 relief plan. It allocates money for venues, restaurants and other New Jersey businesses to help supplement all the funds lost during the pandemic.