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High Desert Partnership tells Harney County commissioners it will bring over $10 million in 2025 funding; outlines youth internship program
Summary
Presenters from High Desert Partnership described conservation, juniper thinning and youth workforce programs, said the organization expects more than $10 million in 2025 project funding and summarized a county internship program serving 44 students with about 78 participating businesses.
Representatives of High Desert Partnership (HDP) briefed Harney County Court on Feb. 19 about the group's regional conservation work, planned growth and a youth internship and career‑readiness program operating in Harney County schools.
Funding and scope: HDP staff told the court the organization expects to bring in "over $10,000,000 in project funding" in 2025 for regional projects that include juniper thinning, invasive grass treatment, infrastructure to improve surface water delivery in wet meadows and related natural‑resource work. Presenters noted some federal funds remain inaccessible if federal agency freezes persist and identified the Bureau of Land Management and the Natural Resources Conservation Service as funding partners that have pledged or signed agreements.
Youth and workforce programs: HDP described Youth Changing the Community (YCTC), an HDP collaborative that manages internship programs, career preparation and early‑career placement. HDP staff said the program currently runs 44 interns (four from Crane, one from another district and the remainder from Burns High School), works with about 78 registered businesses and places students in ag, natural resources, hospital, welding, automotive and construction settings. HDP said each host business registers with three learning objectives used by schools to assign elective credit and evaluates students at the end of the internship.
Local partnerships and facilities: HDP said it now supports roughly 10 full‑time positions, has purchased an office building in Hines and is aiming to expand as a regional collaborative center. Staff highlighted partnerships with Burns and Crane high schools, Treasure Valley Community College (TVCC) and local employers. TVCC has placed an engagement coordinator, Darcy Patterson, in the county to expand college and adult‑education pathways.
Events and next steps: HDP described recent and planned community events including a youth summit and an Art in the Park program, and noted a career fair at the county fairgrounds scheduled for March 11; HDP said it will open the first hour of that career fair to eighth graders. HDP staff asked for continued county collaboration to support youth pathways and locally‑based work opportunities.
Questions from commissioners touched on the timing and availability of federal grants, HDP's staff and capacity to hire seasonal versus long‑term positions, and whether HDP could help retain federal scientists in the region. HDP said many positions funded by federal partners are seasonal but that the organization is open to developing longer‑term roles if funding is available.
No formal county action was taken; the presentation was informational and HDP staff said they would continue coordination with county departments.
