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Oregon News Herald January 2025 USDC Invests $700,375 for Improvements in Sweet Home Story by Milo Banks Infrastructure Improvements to Promote Business Washington DC – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $700,375 grant to the city of Sweet Home, Oregon, for utility infrastructure improvements to serve businesses in the region. This grant will provide for three power generators, providing uninterrupted service and water to businesses in a region recently impacted by winter storms. This EDA investment will be matched with $175,094 in local funds. “EDA plays an important role in supporting locally driven disaster recovery and resiliency plans,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Cristina Killingsworth. “This EDA investment will help to ensure that the local economy continues to thrive in the event of future storms.” “Oregon’s rural communities often face many of the same challenges as more populated areas but with less resources to address them,” said Governor Tina Kotek. “This timely investment from the Biden-Harris Administration will support businesses in the city of Sweet Home through another winter season.” “Ensuring that small businesses in rural communities have the resources they need to thrive and expand is essential to towns like Sweet Home,” said Senator Ron Wyden. “This federal investment helps support small businesses here in Oregon and will help communities be more resilient to natural disasters caused by the climate crisis. I will continue to push for more resources like this for Oregon’s small businesses and rural communities.” “When extreme weather strikes, we need to make sure our local businesses have the tools they need to keep their doors open and serving Oregon’s communities,” said Senator Jeff Merkley. “EDA plays a critical role in disaster recovery and this federal funding to bring new, reliable power generators to Sweet Home will help businesses in the region weather the worst impacts of the storms and keep their local economy going. I will continue to do all that I can to ensure that every available resource is allocated to protect Oregonians’ lives and livelihoods from the worst impacts of catastrophic weather.” This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments (OCWCOG). EDA funds OCWCOG to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs. This project is funded under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which provided EDA with $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas that received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Act as a result of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, flooding, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2021 and 2022. Please visit EDA’s Disaster Supplemental webpage for more information. The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA www.eda.gov) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth. Page 13 Holiday Gas Oregon Lowest since 2022 Story by Scooter Brown Gas prices have been inching down for several weeks and are now at their lowest point of the year so far. This means holiday travelers may keep a little extra jingle in their pockets when they finish up at the pump. Marie Dodds with AAA Oregon said nearly 1.7 million Oregonians will be traveling 50 miles or more over Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s. Ninety percent of them will be driving. “This is a little bit of a gift for folks as they head out on those holiday road trips,” she said. “We are paying the cheapest prices for gas in four years for the holidays. We have to go back to 2020 to find gas prices that are cheaper than what we’re paying now.” Nationally, the current average for a gallon of regular gas is $3.03. The Oregon average is now $3.47 a gallon. Dodds said if you shop around, it’s easy to find prices that are well below those figures. She went on to say gas prices tend to bottom out for the year sometime between December and February. There are normal seasonal factors that put downward pressure on prices including the reduction in demand. “The summer driving season comes to an end and everyone gets back into their fall and winter routines, which tend to include less travel,” she said. Also impacting gas prices is the type of gas being sold. In the fall and winter months, Oregonians can purchase “winter blend fuel” which is less refined, thus less expensive. Dodds said the winter blend fuel causes more pollution when it evaporates, so it is only available when temperatures are cooler. Summer blend fuel is burned during the hotter months and is more environmentally friendly. It also costs more to make. Oregon State Parks fees Increase for 2025 Oregon State Parks users will find that a visit costs a little more since the first of the year. Day-use parking fees have been raised from $5 to $10 to starting in 2025. Oregon State Parks said the day-use fees helps pay for operations and maintenance. It’s the first increase for our State Parks in 15 years. The 12-month and 24-month permits will remain the same price in 2025 -- $30 for 12 months and $50 for 24 months. About 35% of funding for Oregon Parks and Recreation comes from park fees from visitors, the department said.
