PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 18, 2025 – USDA Rural Development Oregon State Director Jim Carmack today announced the agency is awarding $960,881 through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant (DLT) Program to Dufur School District #29 in Wasco County.
“When students in rural schools have access to specialized and advanced learning programs in other areas, including colleges and universities, we’re supporting the success of entire communities,” said Carmack. “With this investment, Dufur School District 29 is setting its student population up for success by expanding educational and occupational horizons.”
This investment will be used to equip three sites throughout Wasco County with distance learning equipment. Through partnerships with Eastern Oregon University and Columbia Gorge Community College, students will be able to access college credit courses. The school district will also partner with Baker Technical Institute and the Oregon Veterans’ Home to offer career training in various fields such as nursing, welding, engineering, natural resources, and agriculture. Further, students in the Celilo Village, an unincorporated Native American community on the Columbia River, will also be able to use distance learning tools to support their education. This equipment will also support telemedicine services at the school district, working with One Community Health to provide wellness resources for students and families.
“Dufur School District is incredibly grateful to receive this grant, which will allow us to purchase specialized, advanced distance learning equipment that expands access to high-quality instruction and support for our students and staff,” said Kristin Whitley, Superintendent of Dufur School District. “As superintendent, I strongly support this investment because it strengthens educational equity, enhances instructional capacity, and ensures our rural district has the tools needed to connect, learn, and thrive.”
USDA Rural Development’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program helps rural communities use technology to connect to educational and healthcare opportunities they may otherwise not have access to.
USDA Rural Development invests in rural America with programs to promote rural prosperity. These programs expand access to high-speed internet, electricity, and transportation infrastructure, and support economic growth, healthcare, education, housing, and other community essentials. Discover more investment details and historical data in the Rural Data Gateway and learn more about the agency at www.rd.usda.gov.
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