November 08, 2023

Wyden, Merkley Announce Nearly $3.8 Million in Federal Funds for Ione

Morrow County city to receive USDA resources for sewer system

Washington, D.C. –U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced the city of Ione will receive nearly $3.8 million in federal funds to build a sewer system for the Eastern Oregon town. 

“Ensuring Oregon’s rural communities have the infrastructure their residents and small businesses need to grow and develop is paramount for our state’s overall economic health,” Wyden said. “In my Morrow County town hall and others in every corner of the state, I’ve heard how the need to modernize outdated infrastructure is an essential piece to achieve rural quality of life. Ione has worked tirelessly to upgrade its systems so homes keep their value, the new school is supported, and the community can grow.”

“Outdated sewer infrastructure is at greater risk of failing and limits growth and development opportunities for communities,” said Senator Merkley. “Investments such as this are critical not just for the safety of Ione community members, but also for helping the City and surrounding areas thrive.” 

Ione lacks a community-wide wastewater collection or disposal system. Each residence and/or business has an individual septic tank and drain field, which limits community growth and development. The federal investment from USDA Rural Development is both a grant of $1.98 million and a loan of $1.81 million.

"The Ione City Council is grateful to our local partners, federal and state agencies, and especially the citizens of Ione for their continued support of the wastewater system," said Ione Mayor Michael Skow. "Senator Wyden, Senator Merkley, Governor Kotek, Jerry Rietmann, City Project Manager, Brad Baird and Dane Maben, Anderson Perry & Associates have been instrumental in making this project a reality, from the initial concept to the successful funding.  This system is necessary for the future growth of our city and we are proud to be part of this groundbreaking project that can be used as a future blueprint for other rural communities in Oregon."