CONGRATULATIONS to Baker City swimmer Caitlyn Calaway who won the gold medal in the 50yd freestyle and the silver medal in the 50yd breaststroke last week at the Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, Florida.
It is the first time in 20 years Baker County has had a representative at the Games. Read more about Caitlyn's story and her time in Florida in the Baker City Herald.
Congratulations to all our athletes who competed and represented Oregon last week during the games, we are so proud of you. Way to go, Team Oregon 2022.
To learn more about Special Olympics Oregon and get involved, visit their organization website, and to see some of the amazing things the athletes are up to on a regular basis, visit their Facebook page.
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Please join me for a meet and greet in Baker City on Wednesday, June 22 from 4:30pm - 5:30pm at the Oregon Trail Electric Co-Op.
I have legislative updates to share, but most importantly, I want to hear from you. I always appreciate the opportunity to connect in person with you about issues happening in the community, hear your ideas for legislative concepts for the next session, and to answer any questions you might have.
RSVP is not required, but you're welcome to let us know if you will be attending. Invite your friends, family and neighbors and we will see you soon.
Not in Baker City next Wednesday? Don't worry. Many more events are coming up this summer in each region in House District 60.
It has been many years in the making, but we are excited to share the news about the Main Street Revitalization Grant recently awarded in our district with funding approved during the 2021 Legislative session.
In House District 60:
- Baker City Downtown was awarded a grant for $200,000 to complete Phase 5 of 6 structural needs of the Orpheum Theatre in Baker City. They will provide $120,000 in matching funds for this project.
- The Harney County Opportunity Team was awarded a grant for $200,000 to rehabilitate the Bon Temps Motel in downtown Burns for short term and overnight stays. They will provide $232,050 in matching funds for this project.
- Lakeview Community Partnership was awarded a grant for $140,000 to rehabilitate the Alger Theater marquee and facades of the theater and adjacent building to the original design, color scheme and lighting from 1940 in Lakeview. They will provide $60,000 in matching funds for this project.
Oregon Heritage, a division of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, awarded 28 matching grants worth $5,000,000 to Oregon Main Street Network organizations across the state for building projects that encourage economic revitalization.
Projects range from façade improvement to basic facilities and housing with awards ranging from $23,850-$200,000. The department funded applications that best conveyed the ability to stimulate private investment and local economic development, best fit within the community’s long-range plan for downtown vitality, and community need.
The grant program was created during the 2015 legislative session, and placed with the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office. The legislation established a permanent fund for the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant, and provided an initial infusion of funds from the sale of lottery bonds. The legislature included the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant in the lottery bond package approved in 2021. An additional grant round will occur in 2023.
The funds must be used to award grants to participating Oregon Main Street Network organizations to acquire, rehabilitate or construct buildings to facilitate community revitalization. The program also requires that at least 50 percent of the funds go to rural communities as defined in the bill.
More information about the Main Street Revitalization Grant program is attached. The Main Street Program 2021 Annual report is also available to learn more about this statewide economic development and downtown revitalization program. Please let us know if we can provide any additional information on this program or the grants.
Yeah...we do too.
Oregon has an opportunity to receive as much as $800 million in federal funding to solve Internet access gaps across the state. Local community leaders need data that shows where residents have slow or no Internet to secure this funding and distribute it to the places that need it most. Help us spread the word by asking your friends and family to take the speed test.
Help ensure that everyone in our community has access to fast, affordable Internet. Click the picture above or visit this link to take the one-minute speed test. Don't worry - all your information is kept confidential and private.
Faster Internet Oregon is a coalition of nonprofits from across the state, including Oregon Economic Development Districts, Onward Eugene, SpeedUpAmerica, and Link Oregon, that are working to ensure faster, more affordable Internet for all Oregon residents.
For questions, contact info@FasterInternetOregon.org.
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Capitol Phone: 503-986-1460
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-475, Salem, OR 97301
Capitol Email: Rep.MarkOwens@oregonlegislature.gov
Capitol Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/owens
District Phone: 503-413-2482
District Address: 85 W. Washington St., Burns, OR 97720
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