June 18, 2019

Wyden, Merkley, Schrader Announce Federal Grant for Port of Toledo

Resources will help Lincoln County port’s Shipyard Vocational Training Lab

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader today announced that the Port of Toledo has earned a federal grant of $261,285 for its Shipyard Vocational Training Lab.

The three Oregon lawmakers said the Transportation Department resources for the port’s training lab are critical to maritime professional development and ensuring Oregon’s fishery fleet has access to quality shipyard facilities nearby both for routine boat maintenance as well as more involved mechanical and electrical work.

“The Port of Toledo plays a key role in supporting the Oregon Coast’s largest fishing fleet,” Wyden said. “These resources will help boats in the Newport area get repairs close to home, building on the port’s capacity to create jobs throughout Lincoln County as well as the central Oregon Coast.”

“Work in shipyards building and repairing boats are the kind of great jobs that people can raise their families on, and those shipyards are also critical to keep our ports humming,” Merkley said. “Creating training opportunities for shipyard jobs means a stronger and more prosperous Oregon coast.”

“I am proud to announce the Port of Toledo’s receipt of a significant federal grant that will give them the ability to offer high skill technical training to the local workforce,” Schrader said. “This federal investment in the central Oregon Coast will give coastal residents the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to fill high wage jobs at home. Continued investment in our coastal and rural communities is critical to ensuring folks get the technical training that they need to make a living wage and fully participate in their local economies.”

“The port is particularly excited about what this project with Oregon Coast Community College and Lincoln County School District means to our coastal community,” said Bud Shoemake, Port Manager at the Port of Toledo.  “We very much appreciate the support of Senators Wyden and Merkley and Congressman Schrader for this grant, which we will use to buy welding equipment and make improvements to set up the training lab for 12 students. This is a great opportunity for these kids to gain skills and obtain employment locally.”