BEND, OR -- The appropriations package passed by Congress over the weekend, averting a threatened partial government shutdown, includes funding for Central Oregon projects. 

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) told KBND News last week, a primary focus is on mental and behavioral health programs, "You have the St. Charles Health System working with OHSU to establish a psychiatry residency program. In other words, mental health investments." The Oregon Health Authority will also receive $3 million for a 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline awareness campaign, and over a million dollars will help expand Lines for Life's YouthLine. 

There’s also money for a major emergency services project, "You have a million dollars to construct the Central Oregon Ready Responsive and Resilient project, which is essentially a multi-agency emergency coordination for the region." Locally, that project is known as CORE3, and is slated to be built near the Redmond Airport. But Merkley says it'll benefit the entire state, "We know that even an event west of the mountains may make emergency work east of the mountains very important, as well. So, this is a top priority for the area."