Jordan Cove gives $11,000 in local grants

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2018-08-02

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The Jordan Cove and Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline grant program awarded about $11,000 in charitable grants to five Rogue Valley organizations during a Wednesday night reception in Medford. The grants will help support the purchase of equipment by Jackson County Fire District 5, an eight-week Kids Unlimited summer camp for 450 low-income children, and a Rogue Valley Art Association arts outreach program for fifth-grade students in three elementary schools. The Arc Jackson County, which enhances the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and their families, received grant funding to help provide emergency financial assistance and services to families in need, while Rogue Valley Youth for Christ received funding to train volunteers to serve at-risk youth age 5 to 24. Jordan Cove grants to 32 organizations across Southern Oregon totaled $60,000 this year, according to the company. The grant program has awarded $400,000 in grants since it began, the company said. Jordan Cove and Pacific Connector are part of a proposed project that would include a natural gas export facility near Coos Bay and a 229-mile underground pipeline that would cut through several southwest Oregon counties on its way to the coast. Proposed by the Canadian energy company Veresen, the proposed projects are under review by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and state agencies. The company and its supporters say the project would spur $10 billion in spending, employ 6,000 workers during construction, create 200 permanent jobs, generate $20 million in additional property taxes for the pipeline counties and provide natural gas to Asian nations and the Pacific Northwest. Opponents argue the natural gas processing and export terminal on the coast would be a major source of new pollution in Oregon. The pipeline would pass through the property of hundreds of landowners, requiring the potential use of eminent domain to take land from unwilling property owners. The pipeline also would traverse hundreds of waterways, including the Rogue River. Opponents also say the entire project encourages continued worldwide reliance on fossil fuels. The application period for the next round of grant funding to organizations is open through Nov. 1. The grant program is aimed at improving communities, protecting and enhancing the environment and supporting arts and culture, children and families and health and well-being. Applicants may request up to $5,000. For more information, see https://grants.jordancovelng.com/ or email [email protected]. Reach Mail Tribune reporter Vickie Aldous at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous .