A recording of the event will be available shortly at www.vimeo.com/583610337/4bc188e166.

 --

On Thursday, August 5, media are invited to join local and state officials for a community tour and celebration to highlight two important steps in wildfire recovery: significant state investments in rebuilding community resources and the opening of a FEMA direct housing site for wildfire survivors.

During the 2021 legislative session, Oregon lawmakers dedicated funding to help the Blue River community rebuild, including:

• McKenzie Valley Wellness clinic replacement ($1.8 million)
• Blue River Community Library replacement ($1.4 million)
• Upper McKenzie Rural Fire Protection District station replacement ($2.1 million)
• Lane County water and wastewater infrastructure ($15.5 million)
• McKenzie Fire & Rescue disaster relief logistics center ($903,000)

Additionally, seventeen housing units have been delivered to the U.S. Basketball Academy as part of FEMA’s direct housing mission. Fire survivors have already been selected for those units and will begin moving in within a few days. 

Media are invited to join FEMA and community representatives for a tour of the Basketball Academy’s housing units and the site of the legislative investments. State and federal officials, along with McKenzie community leaders will be available for interviews. 

Event agenda for August 5:

Blue River (51748 Cascade Street) 

• 10:00-10:30 a.m. – site tours and interviews
• 10:30 a.m. – remarks and interviews

U.S. Basketball Academy (54705 McKenzie Highway)

• 11:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. – tours
• 11:30 a.m. – remarks and interviews