Klamath County approves sponsorships, job‑fair support and groundwater study funding amid budget scrutiny

Klamath County commissioners approved several funding items during their Jan. 29, 2025 finance meeting, including a three‑year continuation of a longstanding Catalyze sponsorship, $15,000 annually for the Chamber of Commerce job fair, a $20,000 contract for a groundwater feasibility study with Jacobs Engineering (pending state approval), and payment of the county’s Association of Oregon Counties dues.

The county agreed to continue a historic $5,000 annual sponsorship for Oregon Tech Foundation’s Catalyze program for the next three years out of the economic development fund. Commissioners discussed, and declined to fund, the Foundation’s separate $10,000‑per‑year request for a Ready, Set, Innovate program, advising the group to pursue the county’s economic development grant program or other sponsors for that recurring cost.

County leaders also approved $15,000 per year from the economic development fund to support the Chamber of Commerce job fair. Commissioners described the event as a direct economic‑development activity that draws multiple private sponsors and provides measurable returns to the local business community.

On groundwater, the commission approved a…