April 15, 2023 9:00 a.m.

On Friday, Governor Tina Kotek visited communities in Polk County for the sixth stop on her One Oregon Listening Tour.

Kotek traveled to Dallas, Monmouth and Independence to hear diverse perspectives on housing and homelessness, behavioral health and economic development.

Kotek said, “I enjoyed connecting with local leaders in Polk County today. In all our conversations – whether it was about building more housing, improving student mental health, or supporting small businesses – there was a genuine commitment to work together to make our state an even better place for all Oregonians”.

The Governor started the day at Tater’s Café in Dallas for a breakfast meeting with Mayor Ken Woods and discussed transportation, housing and other topics.

She then joined Polk Community Development Corporation for a tour of their Hart Land Apartment construction site, which will provide affordable housing for veterans. Kotek also participated in a roundtable discussion with local elected leaders and developers about housing and homelessness. Polk CDC serves low and moderate-income residents, providing housing and programs for families, children, seniors, persons with disabilities, and other special needs. Polk CDC has built 195 units to date, including the ones at the Hart Land Apartment site.

Next, the Governor traveled to Monmouth to tour the Student Health and Counseling Center at Western Oregon University. It is an 11,000 square-foot facility the university recently opened to offer individual counseling, crisis counseling, group counseling, drug and alcohol counseling and more. The Governor then met with service providers on campus and local health officials for a conversation about student mental health.

Kotek then headed to Independence for a lunch meeting with Representative Paul Evans, Polk County Commissioner Jeremy Gordon and Mayor John McArdle to discuss economic development and regional coordination.

The Governor concluded the day with a ride on the MI Trolley that connects Monmouth and Independence and a walk around downtown Independence to visit small businesses.