By Representative David Gomberg, House District 10
Dear Neighbors and Friends,
I often talk about bipartisanship and the need to bring opportunity, good jobs, and prosperity to all parts of Oregon. On Wednesday I had an important opportunity to walk the talk.
Speaking before the House Interim Committee on Economic Development and Small Business, I presented a bipartisan rural infrastructure package proposal for the 2023 legislative session. Joining me were Representative Pam Marsh (D-Southern Jackson County), Representative Mark Owens (R-Crane), and Representative Greg Smith (R-Heppner). Our proposal builds off of the successful $100 million bipartisan rural infrastructure package I coordinated earlier this year.
Small, rural communities have big aspirations, and it has been our goal to provide an economic development package that will encourage investment in several key areas. Those areas include:
- Capitalization of rural industrial lands.
- Expand rural workforce housing capacity
- Support for live entertainment venues and county fairs impacted by events over the past two years.
- Invest in our Small Business Development Centers to assist traditionally underrepresented, rural entrepreneurs and bring their business ideas from concept to execution.
- Provide capacity-building and technical assistance grants to targeted rural communities to expand Oregon’s outdoor recreation and apparel industries.
- Provide assistance for wildfire-impacted communities to support…
