WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced Wednesday a $7.8 million investment in rural Oregon school districts to support energy improvement projects like new heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, lighting upgrades, alternative fuel (such as electric) vehicles, and renewable energy technologies. 

“In the nearly 1,100 town halls I’ve had throughout Oregon, I’ve heard from teachers, families and students about the need for updated infrastructure in our schools and the demand for more local job opportunities,” Wyden said. “This significant investment will provide healthy, comfortable environments for kids and educators, and generate much-needed local construction jobs in rural counties statewide.”  

“School opens up new worlds and possibilities to students of all ages. In order for students to get the most out of their education, schools must provide a safe and healthy learning environment,” Merkley said. “The several Oregon school districts receiving this federal funding will be able to create more sustainable and equitable infrastructure, especially for rural students and educators, all while creating good-paying local jobs in the process.” 

This Renew America’s Schools Prize and Grant investment, funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will improve 11 facilities identified by the Oregon Department of Education in the following Oregon school districts:

• John Day SD3/Grant SD
• Jefferson County SD509J
• Douglas County SD 4/Roseburg SD
• Three Rivers/Josephine County SD
• Tillamook SD 9
• Winston-Dillard SD 116
• South Umpqua SD 19  

“We are thrilled that three of our schools—Evergreen Elementary, Fort Vannoy, and Illinois Valley High School—will be recipients of the Renew America’s Schools Grant,” said Dave Valenzuela, Three Rivers School District Superintendent. “Our heartfelt thanks go out to Senators Wyden and Merkley for their support. Our schools are in critical need of improvements, especially with the increasing challenges of heat and smoke during fire season. It’s essential that our students have a healthy and comfortable environment to learn and thrive. These funds will allow us to make significant upgrades to benefit our students and staff, and we couldn’t be more grateful!” 

“Grant School District #3 is truly ecstatic to be part of the consortium of schools in Oregon that received the Renew America Infrastructure Grant! Our team is truly grateful to Senators Wyden and Merkley for their support,” said Mark Witty, Superintendent Grant SD#3. “Grant Union JR/SR High School is in critical need for improvements in our heating systems due to the age of the current boiler and distribution system that is between 50 to 90 years old depending on location in the building. This grant will allow our students to participate in a school that not only consistently heats evenly throughout the building but also will have the added benefit of creating the new capacity to cool the building.”

“Thanks to the policies built into the federal bipartisan infrastructure law, combined with Oregon’s SB420 enabling labor standards in public contracting, we were able to bring much needed resources to eleven schools in seven Oregon school districts. This is only the beginning,” said Russ Benton, SMART Local 16 Regional Representative. ”We will continue the “SMART Facilities” grant writing program in partnership with the Oregon Department of Education and other Oregon partners bringing exponentially more resources to Oregon schools, Oregon kids, and Oregon workers.”