Over 2.4 million dollars in federal funds authorized for Northeast Oregon community projects

By Garrett Christensen on Friday, February 13th, 2026 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

UNION & WALLOWA COUNTIES – Various healthcare and community projects in Northeast Oregon are getting a massive financial boost. Earlier this week, Oregon senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced federal funding awards for projects across the state, including $2,419,000 slated for Union and Wallowa County organizations. The full list of local awardees and their projects, as published by the U.S. Senate, are as follows:

$1,356,000 to Grand Ronde Hospital to purchase a new nuclear medicine machine. The nuclear medicine machine is used every day at the hospital to diagnose and treat disease, and the current machine is operating past its intended lifespan. A new machine would give Grande Ronde Hospital the capability to reduce treatment time by half and serve more patients.

$500,000 to Wallowa Resources to renovate an apartment building in the rural community of Enterprise to ensure that these rental units remain affordable. Wallowa County has a shortage of affordable workforce housing, and this project will help employers attract permanent and seasonal workers to the County.

$400,000 for Eastern Oregon University to support its Early College Initiatives program. This program works with students in grades 6–11 in rural areas to transition to higher education and into the workforce through hands-on learning, personalized guidance, and partnerships.

$163,000 for the Northeast Oregon Area Health Education Center (NEOAHEC) to purchase an Advanced Maternal and Neonatal Simulation System. Much of this project will allow NEOAHEC to provide obstetric and maternal health training for healthcare professionals in rural Eastern Oregon.

Reflecting on the allocation, GRH President & CEO Jeremy Davis sated:

“We are incredibly grateful to Senators Merkley and Wyden for their continued advocacy on

behalf of rural communities. This funding will allow us to upgrade our nuclear medicine

equipment with advanced imaging technology, supporting earlier diagnoses, faster treatment

decisions, and better outcomes for our patients. It’s an investment that will make a meaningful

difference in the lives of the people we serve,”

Wallowa Resources Executive Director Nils Christofferson would likewise comment:

“Wallowa Resources and Working Homes extend our heartfelt gratitude to Oregon’s Senators

for securing essential funding for our rural community. This vital support will address the

shortage of affordable housing for both our workforce and retired population. With these

capital investments, we will enhance the safety, energy efficiency, and overall livability of

Wallowa County’s last remaining affordable open-market apartment building,”

In total, 98 million dollars were allocated toward projects across Oregon by the U.S. senate.