[{"_1":2,"_120":-5,"_121":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6290048,"mediaKeyId","2531680-8f6929370a4058134a1bdffc63f38bf8","parentId",2531680,"title","Lawmakers hear testimony on rural community resource center and EDD matching funds to help small jurisdictions compete for federal dollars","audioSeconds",820,"startMs",3484000,"endMs",4304000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2531680-8f6929370a4058134a1bdffc63f38bf8&start=3484&end=4304","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2531680-8f6929370a4058134a1bdffc63f38bf8/thumbnail_3484000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6290048/Oregon/Lawmakers-hear-testimony-on-rural-community-resource-center-and-EDD-matching-funds-to-help-small-jurisdictions-compete-for-federal-dollars","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6290048-cf74af6d3d595fafc699067f78bffe32/orig.mp4?Expires=1770620788&Signature=oUmWMF5mfpoe9K0Bd5JV19gBlvQMZeasAM34XzzWIkfHBL4xNxysETPjHeYcX7tzGPQ206~0FFaiSxQJzgEFGmK2oXdEh3t84wN7gHqUklsunLfcpLlGKzWf~WDaFRX3DCVhviu4mzQIo5ryxA6CK0LDSKQxFCd5BRoKN4h5KjPFt9tuXSUGLbAM8Vm~eIKwl7mQePOY0HHqH6gMgwbipmiltCVMIxrE2lxS-6Vn~ftlhRR1qFM1E-3QHEGfWHsie0qkGGZeL2UFoR0pCLDwtgkLmMIb2NegU28TxCGBZP-QFDLC-BKXw3Tp1~IIUlYDrprii6cP16JIde3kn9wNLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oregon State Legislature","date","2025-03-10T00:00:00Z","article","During a March 10 public hearing, the House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business and Trade received extensive testimony on two related measures aimed at increasing technical capacity for rural Oregon communities.

House Bill 3104 would appropriate $6,000,000 to the Oregon Business Development Department to establish a statewide rural community resource center. Committee staff said $3,000,000 of that appropriation would fund seven professional staff to provide planning, project development, grant-writing and implementation assistance; the other $3,000,000 would support development of proposals and project plans, including a leverage fund to provide match dollars and incentives for partnerships. The bill’s dash-1 amendment would appropriate $70,000 to each of the 12 economic development districts (EDDs) for a total of $1,680,000, and it would limit those funds for rural communities and require that the districts receive federal matching grants from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).

Representative Mark Owens, sponsor of HB 3104, said rural jurisdictions lack the staff capacity needed to identify, develop and implement projects that leverage federal and state funding. \"This bill is designed to support rural communities as a critical component to Oregon's economic future and give them the basic supports they need,\" Owens said in prepared remarks.

Tillamook County Commissioner Erin Skarr and others described how rural cities and counties often miss funding opportunities because they lack specialized staff; Skarr recounted Tillamook County’s recent success building affordable housing only after finding outside technical expertise and an incentive fund. Greg Wolf of the Organized Sector and Scott Aycock of the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council said EDDs already have full-state coverage and long-standing relationships with small communities, and that modest state investment in EDDs has yielded large returns: testimony cited prior state funding that helped the districts leverage approximately $67 million in grants after a $500,000 state allocation in 2021.

Testimony in support of House Bill 3099, which would appropriate $70,000 to each EDD, came from Representative Daniel Winn and several EDD executives. Teresa Hager, executive director of CCD Business Development Corporation (the EDD for Coos, Curry and Douglas counties), outlined recent projects the EDD supported — including water-system and housing work in small towns — and said EDDs have a high success rate securing grants when resourced. Witnesses emphasized that federal grant programs often require local matching funds, and the state allocation would allow EDDs to serve as match and unlock federal awards for small communities.

Committee members asked about geographic prioritization, the potential for ongoing funding, and the administration and oversight structure if the state funds the center and EDDs. Testimony proposed scattered staffing (no single brick-and-mortar requirement), partnerships with organizations such as the League of Oregon Cities and the Association of Oregon Counties, and multiple channels for distributing funds depending on project type. No committee votes were recorded during the hearing; both bills remain in committee for further consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Committee On Economic Development, Small Business, and Trade 03/10/2025 8:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Lawmakers heard broad support for House Bill 3104, which would create a statewide rural community resource center, and House Bill 3099, which would provide matching funds to economic development districts to unlock federal grants for small jurisdictions.","taxTitle","Economic Development and Small Business, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Oregon","taxId",17512,"location","Oregon","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6290053,"Union County leaders urge $2.5 million for fairgrounds water and sewer upgrades, citing emergency use and accessibility",0,3132000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2531680-8f6929370a4058134a1bdffc63f38bf8&start=3132&end=3132","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2531680-8f6929370a4058134a1bdffc63f38bf8/thumbnail_3132000.jpg","/articles/6290053/Oregon/Union-County-leaders-urge-25-million-for-fairgrounds-water-and-sewer-upgrades-citing-emergency-use-and-accessibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6290053-8267f58786cd851c37763b02a929eb63/orig.mp4?Expires=1770620788&Signature=HXheSz8eyeJadFTjntIY3mNdGB~8SHxiUF-MRT2LxDcKXyb77BqlkpBqFamGtkZ7BIpa2aUnzdpa6TlLanT2Oso0dkBI-5GXVsf6CprHa4kG~Sghle9hOJSfHcMIQM-AoMm0HsoQwSXX64seHsMQSVdZ7MFN0b34pL~BkiwgQ0yp0frt2Jyl4hynnpoHVULUS8GH0t3yUtyztsk-NEII9EKbdQsNxvgqSQuISV1tf71Swba1wlxM62L2T9M96nk9nA-0fwiIlalu5R09GP2Lp~3pHTpw1FSmEiGw2dQrT0xtd1bdl0XhHsuo57AY1jzynN3M9bguWXvZS9Pb6Hlo5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a March 10 public hearing, lawmakers heard prolonged testimony in support of House Bill 2527, which would appropriate $2,500,000 to the Union County Fair Association to pay for water and sewer improvements at the Union County Fairgrounds.

Representative Bobby Levy, sponsor of the bill and the state representative for House District 58, told the committee the fairgrounds are the only fairgrounds in Oregon without running water or flushing toilets and that the project has been a priority for several years. Levy said the current septic system is unsustainable and that the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has determined repair is not an option; the only viable solution is to connect to the city of La Grande water and sewer system, a project that will require substantial infrastructure work such as tunneling under the Grand Ronde River or bridging over Interstate 84.

Multiple local officials and residents described the fairgrounds as a community hub and an emergency resiliency site. Reba Hartenstein, a sixth-generation Union County resident, said the fairgrounds welcome thousands of residents and visitors each year and are used year-round for 4-H meetings, livestock shows, emergency response coordination and other events. County Commissioner Jake Seivert described the fairgrounds as a landmark with nearly a century of history and urged support, calling the project \"an emergent need for Union County and Oregon.\"

Union County Commissioner Matt Scarpa testified that partial funding has already been secured: $277,777 from House Bill 5006 (a statewide allocation to fairgrounds), $1,000,000 from House Bill 5202, a $75,000 donation from Northwest Farm Credit, and $250,000 from Union County ARPA funds. Scarpa said the city of La Grande has pledged a matching $250,000 if the requested $2,500,000 is secured. Scarpa also said construction contractors purchased many project materials in advance, which helped prevent larger recent cost increases and kept the current ask at $2.5 million rather than a higher figure.

Nick Vora, Union County Emergency Manager, said the fairgrounds are one of the only local sites with large parking areas, indoor spaces and animal pens that can serve for evacuations, sheltering and supply distribution. Vora noted that during the county’s COVID-19 response the absence of working restrooms presented significant logistical challenges and that a lack of hand-washing and sanitation capacity increases disease-transmission risk when housing animals and people in emergencies.

Witnesses told the committee the project is shovel ready if funds are awarded. Committee members asked clarifying questions about the current lack of water and sewer (testimony said water is carted in for events), the property’s acreage (testimony estimated about 15–17 acres) and the history and urgency of the need. No committee vote on HB 2527 was recorded during the hearing; the public hearing was closed at the end of testimony.","Testimony at a public hearing emphasized that the Union County Fairgrounds lack running water and flushing toilets, serve as a designated resiliency hub, and need $2.5 million to connect to La Grande’s water and sewer system; witnesses described secured partial funding and readiness to begin construction.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":80,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6290058,"Committee approves referral of bill to raise certified film production tax-credit cap",485,2647000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2531680-8f6929370a4058134a1bdffc63f38bf8&start=2647&end=3132","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2531680-8f6929370a4058134a1bdffc63f38bf8/thumbnail_2647000.jpg","/articles/6290058/Oregon/Committee-approves-referral-of-bill-to-raise-certified-film-production-tax-credit-cap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6290058-068b4ffba2d9fdf9b3dc159e2d0ee485/orig.mp4?Expires=1770620788&Signature=I5JRB6bG9PbkU3KTdUdzjej3ZjOOtXM5IkKgRN1TruAegz8ces5TRFcSSuW5ul22OzHLR1Rnw0Pvrb0raAV6vIqA~cfMwQNXXse8YbxOHtyA4AqJ8V3YkoVFhqwKqGqa1iWQWjIEKXZI1uiNQO7rAksADlOhigaFJdFWFIRBGtfM~Z7EadLRG9L9yfkq5Dubu-eABFTU2-XlYQkCIuvUlLhSv7N1Dz8bz7uJe-2Hs6I7EHubD0f3y8VH0dZD65-TQKe16cG8yX9na5prbWqRzKy5J9SxVxs7MP5QW0QhfFl-sw-USihP3A9h4tvfSQgjXHKqn340YthajLl7dOK3pA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business and Trade voted March 10 to move House Bill 3329 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation and to refer the bill to the House Committee on Revenue by prior reference. The bill would increase the allowable amount of tax credits for certified film production contributions from $20,000,000 to $28,000,000 and takes effect 90 days after adjournment sine die.

Committee staff described the measure as having a minimal fiscal impact and noted that a revenue impact statement will be completed in the House Committee on Revenue. Vice Chair Sigler moved the bill to the floor with a due-pass recommendation; the committee recorded no discussion and the clerk called the roll. The chair announced that the motion passed.

Because the measure changes the statutory cap on production tax credits and is referred to the revenue committee, any revenue estimates and final statutory language will be subject to review there before the House considers the bill on the floor.","House Bill 3329, which would increase the statutory cap on certified film production tax credits from $20 million to $28 million, was advanced by the committee to the House Committee on Revenue with a due-pass recommendation.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6290063,"Committee advances targeted grants for 14 arts and cultural organizations in HB 3191",948,1659000,2607000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2531680-8f6929370a4058134a1bdffc63f38bf8&start=1659&end=2607","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2531680-8f6929370a4058134a1bdffc63f38bf8/thumbnail_1659000.jpg","/articles/6290063/Oregon/Committee-advances-targeted-grants-for-14-arts-and-cultural-organizations-in-HB-3191","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6290063-7bbffb22797cc3350ce6bc729a01ff33/orig.mp4?Expires=1770620788&Signature=aMX4pU34TxAlB9LNtPPSf3ZIfBugsdvxSSSzHDrek~GvwzQ-kGDrWXSkJF2Gtti2l3r8d8kz1cotKwz7rLtI9yH3o~Ag1ZMhIbxT9Cmma6VS02JfXVvWyMe-o9uOlUllL4J5E-6UhyQxLph5PRoxxzeJ~wjO-NIa82NU8C6xruZ1uDyr701FoeHmlTAAKBPzEoRcaxI~T3hkhyKQUmW8bx~Q0U0NJczN3NKWVw79SCVvOwzzLUS9JxbNUKTl~PhY2VjRiL7ZMaBL8097dMDxBpBWgyDwvPoUBr3nnEsLLypn8ObwDa9yTHiTnYj0pniwIPb2vzf1w4N0vBC4k9wYyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business and Trade on March 10 adopted a dash-1 amendment to House Bill 3191 and voted to advance the bill to the floor with a due-pass recommendation and referral to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. The bill proposes $8,875,000 in appropriations to 14 specified arts and cultural organizations and would provide $50,000 to the Oregon Business Development Department to run a competitive grant program for nonprofit technical assistance.

A dash-1 amendment removes a previously proposed $400,000 appropriation. Representatives on the committee described the bill as geographically balanced; Representative Young noted line items benefiting the Eastern Oregon Regional Theater, the High Desert Museum and a $1 million allocation toward the World Forestry Center as reasons she would support the measure.

The committee’s roll call on the motion recorded multiple “aye” votes, including Representative Johnson, Representative Lively, Representative Osborne and Representative Scarlato. Representative Juncker registered a “no” vote. Vice Chair Deal and Chair Winn were among those recorded as voting yes; the chair announced the motion passed.

Because the committee referred HB 3191 to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, the fiscal committee will consider the appropriation language and any final funding decisions.","House Bill 3191, which would appropriate nearly $8.9 million to 14 named arts and cultural organizations and fund a $50,000 competitive technical assistance grant program, was amended and advanced by the committee to the floor with a due-pass recommendation and referral to Ways and Means.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":79,"_43":113,"_45":113,"_47":114,"_49":115,"_51":116,"_53":117,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":118,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":119,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6290069,"House committee advances bill to raise Oregon Arts Commission funding to $10 million",1862000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2531680-8f6929370a4058134a1bdffc63f38bf8&start=1862&end=1862","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2531680-8f6929370a4058134a1bdffc63f38bf8/thumbnail_1862000.jpg","/articles/6290069/Oregon/House-committee-advances-bill-to-raise-Oregon-Arts-Commission-funding-to-10-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6290069-848b3027008900bcaa3a6657c2b1af92/orig.mp4?Expires=1770620788&Signature=guT0NH6w6J4QhOepCnwWNDqa9Cslehg0a~WG6cUXfSq3KAFfwdijxojB1ac00-eg7v0gKfhBiqwdWTfq0Ub7PYUQ9ePkgSFA8JrkSvWyeHDhZPvUqW6wE-Z0Ju7gSSBvm83R3mRpZmtI4rvpPFiL-ZCaD~sSr1UHgYNSul0iOudiHqwJ7y-3X8ag-DKx-U3ETH8PhMExa2DU3SQLQHfmC-29HcSZJAR6jd6iEz8v0Hl~Rh-1RVsZBxkZbkrKtbF0c~2KW6MbKVj5Wop0a49423Z5PBY8XxyqP9QZ4j9iyY0Z0bkTKw0ZTi6kSPr~mDGh6KMhhwkTtx7nGoGiJ9iG3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business and Trade on March 10 adopted an amendment to House Bill 3189 and voted to send the bill to the floor with a due-pass recommendation and referral to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. The bill would appropriate $10,000,000 to the Oregon Business Development Department for distribution to the Oregon Arts Commission and declares an emergency effective on passage.

The bill’s dash-1 amendment, which the committee adopted, would appropriate about $5,500,000 to the Oregon Business Development Department for distribution to the commission for grants to specific arts and cultural organizations. Ryan Fisher of the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon told the committee the amendment continues support provided in the 2023 session and would increase funding for the commission from about $4,000,000 — the level held for roughly 17 years — to $10,000,000.

Representative Young said she would vote against the bill, calling the proposal a \"nicety\" and saying it did not rise to the level of a necessity for her district at this time. Representative Young: \"I don't think this is a necessity. I think this is more as a nicety. ... I just can't support niceties over necessities at this time.\" The committee recorded no further objections during the work session discussion.

A clerk’s roll call recorded Representative Dobson, Representative Lively and Representative Osborne voting \"aye\" during the motion; the chair announced that the motion passed. The committee then closed the work session on HB 3189 and moved on to other agenda items.

Because the committee referred the bill to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, further fiscal review and any final appropriation will be considered there before action by the full House.","The House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business and Trade adopted an amendment and voted to send House Bill 3189, which would increase funding for the Oregon Arts Commission and distribute grants through the Oregon Business Development Department, to the floor with a due-pass recommendation and referral to Ways and Means.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawmakers hear testimony on rural community resource center and EDD matching funds to help small jurisdictions compete for federal dollars

Union County leaders urge $2.5 million for fairgrounds water and sewer upgrades, citing emergency use and accessibility

Committee approves referral of bill to raise certified film production tax-credit cap

Committee advances targeted grants for 14 arts and cultural organizations in HB 3191

House committee advances bill to raise Oregon Arts Commission funding to $10 million