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Astoria council pledges support, schedules special meeting after abrupt Tongue Point Job Corps closure
Summary
Councilors expressed alarm over an abrupt closure at Tongue Point Job Corps that could leave dozens of staff unemployed and about two dozen students without housing; the council voted to draft a formal letter urging federal support and scheduled a special meeting to coordinate immediate housing and support options.
City Manager Spence told the council June 2 that Tongue Point Job Corps — a long-running job-training program in Astoria — closed abruptly, potentially displacing roughly 160–170 staff and leaving about 23 students without stable housing. Spence said the Department of Labor previously signaled funding would continue through June 30 but that local officials had been told the site might need to vacate as soon as the following Friday.
Councilors expressed concern about immediate housing and support needs and longer-term job and economic impacts. Councilor Davis moved that the council "express support for Job Corps both this year and in the coming fiscal year, remaining open for the city of Astoria and the surrounding area," and the motion received a second and roll-call assent. The council directed staff to draft a formal letter to the federal delegation and administration expressing the city’s support for continuing the program; Councilor Davis said Senator Merkley’s office had requested formal endorsements.
The mayor and staff said they are coordinating with the community college, employment services and religious and nonprofit partners to identify short-term shelter and rapid referral options for students who may become homeless if the campus vacates quickly. The council agreed to hold a special public meeting the following Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. to gather community input and organize an immediate response.
Councilors emphasized that Job Corps provides job training (including a unique seamanship program at Tongue Point), workforce pathways and residential supports for students who otherwise might lack stable housing. The council’s actions included: directing staff to draft and send a support letter to federal representatives, coordinating with state and local partners on emergency housing and job services, and scheduling a follow-up meeting to publicly record next steps.
The immediate policy questions the council flagged included whether federal funding can be restored or extended, which agencies can provide emergency housing and whether local employers can absorb displaced workers or support rapid job-placement services.
