Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce
November 9, 2001
WSU grant helps promote telework
By JOURNAL STAFF

PULLMAN -- A $514,000 grant from the Fund for Rural America to the Washington State University Energy Program will help WSU increase telework jobs in three rural areas of the state: Forks, Okanogan County and the northeastern corner of the state, in Ferry, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties and Deer Park.

The areas were selected because they have struggling natural resource-based economies, high unemployment, low-wage jobs and an out-migration of young adults. The areas also have strong local teams working to improve their telecommunications infrastructure, according to Dee Christensen, telecommunications unit manager.

WSU will use the grant to bring urban employers together with rural citizens. It will seek three to six employers to participate and hopes to help create 20 to 40 jobs.

Washington Dental Service will be the first employer in the program, adding 30 new jobs in Colville by the second quarter of 2002.