The USDA allocated $7 million in funding for high-speed internet in rural Oregon communities. Learn more here.

OREGON CITY, Ore. — A major investment in bringing high-speed reliable internet to rural communities in Oregon was announced Tuesday.

Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Jewel Bronaugh joined U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, in Oregon City where they announced $7 million in funding for Clear Creek Communications, a century-old provider in that area.

They say the money will help make broadband more accessible and more affordable for hundreds of people in that community.

“You can’t have big league quality of life in rural Oregon with little league transportation and communications systems,” Wyden said.

The announcement comes on the heels…

Oregon is the first state on the West Coast to be approved for a state meat inspection program. Learn more here.

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon on Thursday became the first state on the West Coast approved to operate a state meat inspection program.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) just finalized a cooperative agreement with the Oregon Department of Agriculture to launch the program, aimed at providing economic opportunity and resilience for Oregon’s livestock producers.

The agreement grants ODA the authority to inspect meat products produced for shipment within the state. Under the agreement, Oregon’s program must develop, administer, and enforce requirements “at least equal to” those imposed under the Federal Meat…