June 11, 2023 7:30 a.m.
On Thursday and Friday, Governor Tina Kotek visited communities in Clatsop and Tillamook counties on the 14th and 15th stops of her One Oregon Listening Tour.
Kotek traveled to Astoria, Seaside and Tillamook to meet with housing, behavioral health, early learning, business, and local elected leaders to learn about the challenges on the north coast and how the state can help.
On Thursday the Governor toured Hyak Maritime at Tongue Point in Astoria, a commercial maritime industrial center and shipyard that recently received a state grant for all electric motor boat lift. Their plan is to repair and maintain more boats with an eye towards environmental stewardship, innovation, and job creation.
Kotek then toured the Liberty Theatre with Executive Director Jennifer Crockett. The facility includes classrooms above the theatre where nearly one hundred children from the region take an array of drama classes.
The day concluded with a walking tour in downtown Astoria and dinner with Clatsop County Chair Mark Kuhala and County Administrator Don Bohn.
Friday started with a working breakfast with Seaside Mayor Steve Wright, followed by a housing and behavioral health roundtable with community partners convened by Columbia Pacific Community Care Organization.
CareOregon, a partner in Columbia Pacific CCO, recently purchased the Seaside Red Lion Inn & Suites with a plan to convert it into two-thirds workforce housing and one-third permanent supportive housing for individuals with behavioral health needs.
The Governor headed to Tillamook County for a childcare roundtable with providers, local elected officials and business leaders at Tillamook Creamery. The discussion focused on the intersection of economic prosperity and childcare access.
This was followed by farm tour at Victor Dairy for an in-depth look at one of Tillamook’s industrial dairy farms providing jobs and dairy for Oregonians and beyond. The Governor then had a meeting with Tillamook County Chair Erin Skaar to discuss a range of local issues.
The day concluded with a visit at Cape Lookeout State Park.