County endorses RIFF application, commits $20,000 and authorizes judge to submit grant request

The Harney County Court adopted Resolution 2026‑22 on Sept. 16, formally supporting the county’s application to the Regional Infrastructure Investment Fund (RIFF) for a $75,000 Economic Development and Infrastructure Action Plan. The resolution also commits $20,000 in county economic development lottery funds to a professional services agreement with GEODC to manage the action plan through project completion.

During the meeting, staff read the resolution’s key language authorizing the county judge to sign and submit the application and to provide Business Oregon with additional requested information. Court members voted to approve the resolution by voice vote; one member recorded opposition. The resolution states that any resulting grant agreement would return to the Harney County Court for final approval prior to accepting grant terms.

Why it matters: The action plan funded by RIFF is intended to produce prioritized, actionable projects to support economic development in Harney County. Committing local matching funds to project management signals local buy‑in and a willingness to invest county lottery funds in planning capacity.

Next steps: County staff and GEODC will complete materials required by Business Oregon; the county judge is authorized to sign the application and will file the application before the submission deadline; any awarded grant agreement will be presented to the court for approval.