By Garrett Christensen on Monday, September 16th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY – Earlier this month, the state senate issued a release announcing that 1.1 million dollars in federal grant funds had been approved to help create a new Lineman College in Baker City. A collaboration between Baker School District, Baker Technical Institute and the Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative, the funds are one of two major grants approved for Eastern Oregon under the Transmission Siting and Economic Development grant program. A brief description of the grant, as provided in the senate release, is as follows:
“$1,100,00 for Baker School District 5J and the Baker Technical Institute (BTI). With support from the Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative, the funding will launch the Lineman College and Training Hub in Baker City, Oregon to train new workers who will support local small businesses, large employers in the area, and local governments. The Training Hub will help meet growing demand for utility workers and anticipate future demand for skilled workers in broadband, energy, and electrical infrastructure roles.”