Greg Smith Votes to Create Jobs for Oregon's Youth

Grant Directs Federal Stimulus Dollars to Youth Employment Initiative.

Rep. Greg Smith of Heppner, Oregon Courtesy: leg.state.or.us

(SALEM, Ore.) - Rep Greg Smith (R-Heppner) today supported a grant request directing federal stimulus dollars to a state program that promotes youth employment on public and private forestlands.

The $6.25 million grant, approved today by the Ways and Means Education Subcommittee, is expected to put 2,000 Oregon youth to work on natural resource conservation and restoration projects. “I am pleased to support this measure to create jobs for young Oregonians while improving the health of our forestlands and natural resources,” Smith said.

“The grant will support a public-private partnership that provides education, training and new opportunities for at-risk kids throughout our state. The grant stimulates our economy while improving the skills and work ethic of Oregon’s youth.”

The U.S. Forest Service grant will allow the Oregon Youth Conservation Corps (OYCC) to expand programs offering teens and young adults hands-on experience working on natural resource projects.

OYCC estimates that 2,000 kids will participate in various natural resource projects during the 2009 and 2010 summer months and will partner with 25 alternative high school programs during the school year.

“With legislative approval of this grant request, OYCC can offer new jobs that would not otherwise be available,” Smith explained.

“Over the next two summers, thousands of kids will begin building trails, removing invasive species, improving fish and wildlife habitat and completing other important work.” The grant request now moves to the full Committee of Ways and Means next week.