Press Release: Carlton Receives Federal Funding

Contact:   Shannon Beaucaire, City Manager                                                                                        Date 12/29/2022    503-852-7575                                                                                                                                                            sbeaucaire@ci.carlton.or.us                           

Carlton Receives Federal Funding

Carlton city officials had lots to celebrate this Christmas thanks to Congress passing the Omnibus funding bill last Friday, Dec. 23.

Tucked into the “Congressionally Directed Spending” portion of the bill were two requests from the city, totaling $3.7 million. That money will be used for two long-needed projects: Replacing the city’s 100-year-old main sewer collection line down West Grant Street, and repairing and resurfacing West Main Street, one of the main entrances to the city, and favored by heavy truck traffic wanting to avoid Hwy. 47. It has become severely degraded due to increases in use over the last couple of decades. The repair will include a grind and inlay of the pavement to an average width of 28 feet, base repair to provide a better driving surface and eliminate rutting, and generally increase the effective capacity of the street. Sidewalks, curbs and gutters will also be installed along with an ADA ramp.

“Both projects have been on the city’s high priority list for a decade at least, but finding the money to get them done without increasing our city service fees – which would mean higher costs for our citizens – has been the holdup,” said Carlton Mayor Linda Watkins.

“These grants don’t just appear; nor are they the product of any single person’s efforts. They owe their presence first and foremost to Congress (who put the program in place), and our U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley – who are doing the job we elected them to do: Helping their constituents." Watkins also credits the Carlton City Council who voted to participate in the program and have supported the effort throughout the last eight months.

The project requests were submitted early last summer, and city staff and council have been tracking their progress through congressional review as the budget process stuttered its way through Congress – Until December 23, when the House of Representatives provided the final vote needed to approve the Omnibus bill. Said Watkins: “In case you’re wondering, yes – Mayor, Council and staff alike have been holding our breath for the last couple of weeks, as the budget process has inched along. And last Friday at 11:15 a.m., Council President Shirley Ward-Mullen, City Manager Shannon Beaucaire and I were finally able to breathe freely!” 

Watkins commented that the Congressionally Directed Funding program is a prime example of the work Senators Wyden and Merkley do for their constituents every day. 

“Being able to participate in programs such as this, and through it staying in contact with our elected officials and their staff not only helps local communities get the attention and assistance they need, it helps strengthen the ties between citizens and our government – something we badly need these days.” 

Watkins said she encourages Carlton residents to thank their Carlton City Councilors for deciding to go ahead with the request, and Senators Wyden and Merkley for their support. She said they all have shown what true leadership and teamwork is, and they deserve the city's appreciation.