3 days ago
Troutdale's arts festival impacted by possible Job Corps cuts
TROUTDALE, Ore. (KOIN) — A federal judge ruled on Thursday that the Trump administration must restore hundreds of millions of dollars in AmeriCorps funding in about two dozen states, including Oregon. Though it remains to be seen if the U.S. Department of Justice will appeal the decision, the outcome could have a major impact on Troutdale's Cascade Arts Festival.
Astoria job corps cut for 'government convenience'
This comes after the U.S. Labor Department put Job Corps programs across the country on pause. Interns paid with federal dollars will now not be showing up for the non-profit arts festival, despite being needed for more than just heavy lifting.
The Cascade Arts Festival in downtown Troutdale relies on dozens of volunteers to help set up and operate the yearly event. Some extra helping hands were going to be provided through a contract with the Job Corps in nearby Springdale.
Astoria Job Corps cuts 'for government convenience'
'The security at night because this arts festival shuts down at night and we need security to watch over the artists' work,' said Martha Denham, the president of the Cascadia Arts Association. 'We had some pedestrian safety crosswalks where we need to ensure pedestrians are getting across safely. And parking issues.'
US Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who represented Oregon's 5th Congressional District until she was defeated this past November, ordered the pause in the program, citing concerns about the cost of operating at a multi-million dollar deficit and less than half the students graduating.
But those who spoke with KOIN 6 News said the Job Corps produces successful graduates and they hope it will soon return.
'I have a personal acquaintance who is a Job Corps graduate and he was not an academic. He couldn't make it through school, dropped out in junior high. He went to Job Corps, got his welding certificate. And he now owns a very successful welding business.'
'It's unfortunate,' said event coordinator Shannon Chisholm. 'Hopefully we can restructure and find the good pieces of all those programs and put something back together.'
in Troutdale June 6-8, 2025.
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