In the hot-button issue of the last couple years, we’re finally seeing the effects of the federal government’s American Recovery and Investment Act on the average Oregonian. The feds invested a total of over $250 million in the State of Oregon, $110 million of which went directly to job creation. This $110 million created a whopping 4,225 jobs across all sectors, including health care and education, announced by governor John Kitzhaber. Additional money was put into social programs like unemployment assistance and food stamps. A total of $140 million was put directly in the hands of citizens to help them provide for their needs and the basic needs of their families.

One of the major areas of investment from this influx of cash (besides the heavy-hitters of education and health care) was weatherization projects. This included things like furnace repair or replacements, added insulation, window replacements, and improvements in home heating ducts. All in all, nearly 3,000 homes were positively impacted and better prepared for the cold winters, in addition to lots of federal jobs and local jobs being created.

In addition to funds from the ARIA, Oregon State University has opened up 77 grant programs which were quite competitive. They awarded $2.9 million to scientists researching areas from climate change to agriculture to ocean science. The highlight of this investment: the identification of a new molecule that plays a large part in autoimmune diseases like Multiple Sclerosis and Type 1 Diabetes.