Future Ready Oregon is promoting job growth in rural Oregon
DOUGLAS COUNTY—Zory Hill worked as a plumber in Southern Oregon for over 15 years, until it became difficult to find work in the area and she was forced to move to Portland.
Now, she wants to come back home. A new bill aimed at promoting business growth in rural Oregon is helping her do just that.
“I want to see Oregon thrive. Start my own business back in Douglas County,” says Hill. “This bill will help me recruit and train workers, and I’m very passionate about bringing these kinds of opportunities to rural Oregon.”
House Bill 4144 helps mid-career construction professionals start their own business by offering low-interest loans; it also provides incentives to attract and retain new, young talent into the workforce. It’s all part of Governor Brown’s new job training initiative, Future Ready Oregon.
“Rural Oregon has been forgotten, and this bill will help boost its economy,” said Governor Kate Brown. “It will provide good paying jobs so people can stay in the communities that they grew up in and raise their families.”
Future Ready Oregon is helping close the gap between the skills that Oregon’s workers have and the skills Oregon’s growing businesses need. House Bill 4144 is just one component of this comprehensive approach, which also includes investing in Career Technical Education opportunities for students.
“The college life isn’t for everyone. I love my trade, and want to share it. I don’t want to see poor kids in this generation with no hope but the military. Just to let people know that they can work with their hands and join an apprenticeship can bring hope where there has been hopelessness,” says Hill.
“There’s a lot of disparity in Douglas County. Don’t forget about the rest of the state, we matter.”
