Governor Brown Celebrates Future Ready Opportunities in Eastern Oregon

Governor Brown Celebrates Future Ready Opportunities in Eastern Oregon

(La Grande, OR) — Governor Kate Brown celebrated Eastern Oregon University‘s (EOU) campus expansion and official designation as Oregon’s Rural University. The Governor’s visit to La Grande was part of a three-day tour of Eastern Oregon to highlight new investments and programs in the region that support the Governor’s Future Ready Oregon initiative. The initiative, announced earlier this year, closes the gap between the skills Oregon’s workers have and the skills Oregon’s growing businesses need to thrive in the economy of the future.

“The strength of communities in Eastern Oregon and the local economy depends on students who are prepared for the workforce of the future,” Governor Kate Brown said. “Thanks to new and collaborative initiatives and an investment from the state, EOU is expanding opportunities to more students, making it possible for students who love this region to stay and work here.”

As part of the EOU campus visit, Governor Brown signed HB 5702, which includes $9 million in capital funding for a new Fieldhouse. The new facility will provide flexible space for the region for physical activity, as well as an exercise lab and instructional space for EOU’s physical activity and health degree program. Funding for the project is part of a larger, statewide investment package that includes new facilities on the campuses of Oregon State University – Cascades and the University of Oregon.

These projects serve high-need, growing communities, and each will feature Oregon manufactured wood products — particularly cross-laminated timber — in construction. Additionally, Governor Brown announced the launch of the Urban-Rural Ambassadors Program, a partnership with EOU, Portland State University, and Oregon Solutions.