The New Era - All about Sweet Home since 1929

The Linn County First-Time Youth Wage Grant Program has disbursed a record $70,770 to local businesses that provided teenagers with their first job this summer.

The program, sponsored by the Linn County Board of Commissioners, is financed with Oregon Lottery funds targeted for economic development. Linn County has operated the program for 15 years.

The county has traditionally reimbursed employers $2 per hour. This year, due to escalating wage scales nationwide, that stipend was increased to $4 per hour.

According to Administrative Assistant Heather Gravelle, who manages the program, the...