Transportation and Infrastructure

Patricia Reser came more than ready to make her dream of a regional arts center in Beaverton a reality

Two years from now, the doors will open for the center, which her family foundation is the major donor at $13 million. The amount is about half the total raised from individuals, businesses and foundations. The other $21 million will come from city revenue bonds, repaid from city lodging taxes.

Warrenton ceremonially took the wheel at the Hammond Marina on Wednesday, accepting a new potential economic generator that is half empty after not being dredged in more than a decade.

Representatives from the offices of U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley and U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, who helped enshrine the transfer in law, were on hand to celebrate, along with state Sen. Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose.

Democratic U.S Rep. Suzanne Bonamici made a three-point stop in St. Helens this past week. The congresswoman toured Legacy Health Clinic, the City of St. Helens' waterfront redevelopment site, and St. Helens Middle School, where she was slated to be met by State Rep. Brad Witt (D-Clatskanie).

"I know access to health care is important to the people I'm honored to represent, but particularly in rural communities," Bonamici said.

The Environmental Protection Agency has approved two new loans, totaling $640 million, for a major water-supply infrastructure program in western Oregon.

The loan approvals, announced on Aug. 19, are part of EPA's Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, or WIFIA, program and will help finance the $1.3-billion, multi-year Willamette Water Supply System program.

Earlier this month, bipartisan Congress members introduced the Building U.S. Infrastructure by Leveraging Demands for Skills (BUILDS) Act to spur industry partnerships to encourage workforce training programs.