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Over 219 million dollars of Federal funds were disbursed through 

 the NEAI during FY 1995. The Department of Agriculture accounted 

 for over 71% of the total. Of the Department of Agriculture's 

 share, the Rural Development mission area of the Department was 

 responsible for 83% and the Forest Service was responsible for 

 17%. 



Old Growth Diversification funds are used for projects that add 

 value to existing timber resources and create or retain 

 employment. In Oregon, this program stimulated the investment of 

 $15.77 for every $1.00 of agency funding. As a result an 

 estimated total of 943 jobs were created. 



Retraining programs funded primarily through the Department of 

 Labor have helped workers stay employed. A computer disc 

 manufacturing plant in Springfield, Oregon, was cible to employ 

 13% of their work force from displaced timber workers who had 

 been retrained through this economic initiative. As a result of 

 demonstration projects within the States of California and 

 Oregon, 110 displaced timber workers were hired and trained. 

 People in this program received certificates of apprenticeship 

 from their respective States and were certified as 

 forest/ecosystem workers. Overall, more than 4,900 job training 

 opportunities have been created in the region, and as of last 

 September more them 81% of those completing training had found 

 employment . 



