First Annual Oregon Rural Congress Met August 21-22, 2008 in Cascade Locks, Oregon
The newly formed Oregon Rural Congress, formed to work on rural policy issues in Oregon held its first annual meeting August 21-22, 2008 in Cascade Locks, Oregon (along the beautiful Columbia River).
A brief encapsulation of the two-day gathering is listed below:
After a group gathering on Thursday afternoon, August 21, 2008, attendees were to break up into regions to ponder solutions to the challenges and impacts that face rural Oregon in five major categories, but due to inclement weather, all participants gathered together under one roof to discuss Oregon rural problems and solutions around the following issues listed below:
Natural Resources
Agriculture, timber and mining have been the traditional backbone of our rural economies. We’ll discuss solutions and strategies to renew our strengths and our support of these crucial providers of our nation’s commodities.
Rural Finance
An examination of Oregon’s rural wealth. The contribution Oregon’s rural areas, counties and municipalities and the potential uses.
Economic Development
We will discuss service delivery of dollars and the potential for rural areas to better capitalize on opportunities.
Telecommunications
Many areas of the state still have not felt the benefits of telecommunications upgrades and efforts. How do we roll out equity in communication services?
Human Services
What can we do for rural health care and the delivery of public health and mental health services?
The group will re-convene Friday morning, August 22, 2008, to combine regional solutions for a Rural Report to be sent to all legislators, the media and to the Oregon Business gathering scheduled for January.
Future Congress gatherings will be planned and held on an annual basis, with delegates from regions meeting throughout the year for continued dialogue and planning efforts.
The Oregon Rural Congress meeting (in Cascade Locks) agenda of August 21-22, 2008 can be downloaded below under Printable Reports, along with the Oregon Rural Congress brochure. News articles about the Oregon Rural Congress forum can also be downloaded below under Printable Reports.
Printable Reports
Oregonian News Articles (8-23-08)
Oregonian News Article (8-22-08)
Oregon Rural Congress August 21-22, 2008 Meeting Agenda
Oregon Rural Congress Brochure on August 21-22, 2008 Meeting in Cascade Locks, Oregon