Wyden, Merkley Announce Columbia Gorge Education Service District to Receive EPA “Community Change Grant”

Wyden, Merkley Announce Columbia Gorge Education Service District to Receive EPA "Community Change Grant"

Federal grant funds will be used to create Early Learning and Resilience Center in The Dalles

Washington D.C.-U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced the Columbia Gorge Education Service District and Columbia Gorge Community College Foundation have been selected to receive a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant to create the Columbia Gorge Early Learning and Resilience Center in The Dalles.

"Early education, childcare, workforce development, and places for communities to gather- whether for celebration or respite-are needs I hear about directly from Oregonians at my open-to-all town halls every year," Wyden said. "I fought to pass the Inflation Reduction Act so projects such as this could make a real difference in communities like The Dalles and in the lives of Oregonians throughout the state."

"We need to invest in the foundations that help families thrive-health care, housing, education, and good-paying jobs," said Merkley. "At my town halls in all 36 Oregon counties, I hear directly from Oregonians about the importance of supporting rural communities. This climate-smart investment ensures families and students in The Dalles have access to both critical early learning programs and expanded opportunities for career and technical training. These are the kinds of transformative investments that create real opportunities, strengthen rural economies, and build a brighter, more resilient future for our families-an all-around win for Oregonians."

This federal "Community Change Grant" will be used to renovate a 1954 school building to serve as an anchor for community activities while also providing resilient power during extreme climate events. Additionally, the project will expand Columbia Gorge Education Service District's successful career/technical education programs to help bolster the much-needed childcare workforce.

"This transformative project will address two critical challenges facing our region: the severe shortage of childcare and our community's resilience in the face of climate change," said Dr. Kenneth Lawson, President, Columbia Gorge Community College. "With 89% of local families reporting that lack of childcare limits their access to education and employment, this facility will be a game-changer. The Early Learning Center and Climate Resiliency Hub will serve over 200 children while creating a renewable energy-powered refuge that will protect our most vulnerable residents during extreme weather events.This project will create a learning laboratory where CGCC Early Childhood Education students can gain hands-on experience, while also providing substantial scholarship support for 120 CGCC students pursuing careers in climate-focused fields. These programs include electromechanical technology, green building, advanced manufacturing, and our upcoming agriculture technology program. We are deeply grateful to the Environmental Protection Agency, our many community partners, and Senators Merkley and Wyden for their steadfast support of this project. Their commitment helps ensure that the Columbia Gorge remains a place where families can thrive, workers can advance their careers, and children can get the strong start they deserve."

"North Wasco County School District is excited for this collaboration with CGESD. From an educational standpoint, increasing access to high quality early childhood education is a win-win for all - not only will it increase a quality pool of future applicants who want to work and live in The Gorge, it will provide a training ground and potential CTE pathway for young adults interested in the education profession, and finally it will fill a longstanding void of available childcare that has long been absent from this region," Supt. Carolyn Bernal, North Wasco County School District 21 said. "We are extremely appreciative and want to thank Senators Wyden and Merkley for all of their support of this project throughout the process as well as the EPA for our selection. We look forward to our work together as this project gets underway."

"Columbia Gorge Education Service District is thrilled to serve as the backbone organization for this program," Supt. Dana Pedersen, Columbia Gorge Education Service District said. "As a regional service provider for educational programs, we are well positioned to support this Resilience Hub and the Early Learning Center. We want to thank the community partners and local and state leaders that have supported this project."

The EPA will announce the specific grant dollar amount for the Columbia Gorge Early Learning and Resilience Center in early 2025.