June 23, 2020

Merkley, Wyden Announced Nearly $100,000 in Transportation Grant Funding for the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde will receive nearly $100,000 to support the community’s transportation needs amid the coronavirus crisis.

The funding is being allocated by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which Congress passed in March.

“The coronavirus public health emergency has created serious challenges in every corner of our state. Some of those obstacles have been felt the hardest among tribal communities,” said Merkley. “This funding will support the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde’s ongoing efforts to respond to the crisis by helping to keep dedicated transit workers—who are keeping commutes, groceries, and pharmacies within reach for their community—safe. I’m going to keep doing everything I can to secure resources for tribal communities as we continue to weather this storm.”

“Tribes in Oregon have been hit hard by COVID-19’s devastating public health and economic impacts, so these federal funds will help by supporting transit workers to safely continue providing essential transportation services for the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde,” Wyden said. “I’m glad these resources are heading to the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde and will keep battling to ensure all our state’s Tribes get the assistance they require during this crisis and beyond.”

The grant, which is being distributed by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), totals $99,998 and will support operating, administrative, and preventive maintenance costs in order to respond to the ongoing public health emergency. These expenses include Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supplies for transit workers, driver salaries and benefits, and supplies and services needed to disinfect vehicles, transit centers and hubs.

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