The Treasure Valley Reload Center is a planned truck-to-rail shipping facility slated to open near Nyssa , Oregon , on the border of the U.S. states Oregon and Idaho as part of the Arcadia Industrial Park acquisition and development. Seen as a significant economic development opportunity for the state's poorest county ( Malheur ), the project received $ 26 million from state funds that were earmarked during the 2017 Oregon legislative session, and construction was supposed to begin by 2020. Nyssa also directed $ 3 million in federal funds toward the project, and in 2022 the Oregon Legislature approved an additional $ 3 million in an emergency grant. Onion farmers looking to ship their crops to markets in the Midwest would be among the main beneficiaries of the project.
10-472: The industrial park was supposed to receive $ 15 million through a federal grant in 2020, but the application was "botched" and rejected by the U.S. Department of Transportation as unacceptable. Permitting and financial issues have resulted in significant delays to construction of the reload center. The property would be located on a wetland, which necessitated compliance with relevant regulations. In 2023 state representative Greg Smith , who had been criticized in
20-586: A 100% voting records with the Taxpayer Association of Oregon, Oregon Gun Owners of America, Oregon Farm Bureau , Oregonians for Food and Shelter, and the National Federation of Independent Business . The Oregon Cattlemen's Association has given Smith the "Lariat Laureate", their highest award. The Oregon Fair Association has given Smith the title "Grand Champion Legislator" for the work he has done on their behalf. He has also received
30-744: A Bachelor of Liberal Studies. He later earned a Master's Degree in Business Administration. After graduating from college, Smith served as a community advisory member for Senator Gordon Smith. He was also an intern for then- Oregon House of Representatives Majority Leader Greg Walden . In 1996, Smith was an alternate delegate in the 1996 Republican National Convention . In 2000 Smith successfully ran for Oregon State Representative for District 59. In 2001, redistricting moved Smith into Oregon's 57th House district . He ran for re-election and won. Smith's 2024 committee assignments are as follows: During his terms in office, Smith has earned
40-527: A Legislator. "Greg Smith & Company LLC, based in Smith's home in rural Morrow County, has a long practice of obtaining contracts from government agencies that benefit from state appropriations. At the Legislature, Smith is a powerful force on the budget committee that maps out how state money is spent." -Malheur Enterprise, February, 2024. Smith's consulting work has drawn particular criticism due to
50-531: A close look into the project's finances prior to endorsing the request, "because of history of the project and the taint surrounding it." Americold , the anticipated operator of the shipping facility, announced its withdrawal from the TVRC in July 2023. News coverage again noted setbacks due to permitting and financial reasons. Governor Tina Kotek , who supported the initial funding for the reload center while speaker of
60-460: Is part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Following the Standoff at Eagle Pass , Smith signed a letter in support of Texas Governor Greg Abbott 's decision in the conflict. (*)All elections were for Oregon House of Representatives District 57 except for year 2000, which was for Oregon House District 59. Heppner, Oregon Too Many Requests If you report this error to
70-528: The Oregon House of Representatives , visited the county in July 2023, shortly after Americold's withdrawal. She reiterated her support for the project and endorsed incoming project manager Shawna Peterson. Greg Smith (Oregon politician) Greg V. Smith (born November 7, 1968) is an American politician serving as a member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 57th district. Smith graduated from Eastern Oregon University in 1992 with
80-671: The "Outstanding Freshman Legislator of the Year" award during the 19th Annual Oregon Rural Health Conference. The NRA Political Victory Fund has consistently given Smith an A+ grade on his votes regarding gun related legislation. In 2009, Associated Oregon Industries named Smith "A Champion for Oregon Jobs and Business." Smith has been the subject of numerous ethics investigations due to his significant income, reported as approximately $ 1M per year, but lack of discernible personal income outside of contracts with government entities which directly benefit from state funding which he helps to secure as
90-679: The large amounts of State dollars which his work brings to clients located outside of his home district, raising questions about influence-peddling at the expense of his own constituents. In September, 2024, in his role as the Executive Director of the Columbia Development Authority (CDA), Smith agreed to repay a 51% salary increase which CDA board members stated they had never approved. He resides in Heppner with his wife Sherri and their five children. He
100-490: The press for conflicts of interest, resigned from the project. He was succeeded by attorney Shawna Peterson, who reported "significant progress" at a chamber of commerce luncheon. Advocates sought additional funding from the Oregon Legislature to close an anticipated $ 8.5 million budget shortfall; local lawmakers Lynn Findley (Republican senator) and Mark Owens (Republican member of the state house) wanted
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