Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced a federal investment to support distance learning in Wasco County. The Dufur School District 29 will receive $960,881 to expand educational resources for 655 students in the district, according to Senator Wyden’s office.
The funding, provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants, will help connect students and professionals across the region. Instructors from Portland Community College, Baker Technical Institute, and Columbia Gorge Community College, along with the Oregon Veterans Home, will offer courses in technical training, STEM, and certified nurse assistant programs to the students.
Senator Merkley underscored the significance of the funding, noting the challenges rural communities frequently encounter. In a press release, he stated, "This critical investment will ensure that working families living in more remote communities will have better access to the tools and services they need to thrive," reflecting discussions he has had with Oregonians during town halls.
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