December 8, 2022 3:20 a.m.

On Wednesday, Democratic State Representative David Gomberg presented a bipartisan rural infrastructure package proposal for the 2023 session of the Oregon State Legislature.

A release from the House Majority Office said that happened during a meeting with the House Interim Committee on Economic Development and Small Business. Developed by a bipartisan group of legislators, the proposal builds off the $100 million bipartisan rural infrastructure package that was passed this year.

The release said the new proposal would help bolster rural entrepreneurial opportunities, expand rural workforce housing capacity, and support agriculture, natural resources and outdoor recreation ventures.

The group working on the proposal included Gomberg, a Democrat who represents the central coast, Democrat Pam Marsh of southern Jackson County, and Republicans Mark Owens and Greg Smith from Crane and Heppner, respectively.

Components of the proposal include funds for rural workforce housing infrastructure, industrial land development, and investments in Oregon’s Small Business Development Centers. Additional components include rural venue and county fair support, investments in local food systems infrastructure, and investments in Oregon’s outdoor recreation economy.

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021I1/Committees/HECDSB/2022-12-07-08-30/Agenda