Hood River County Commissioners continued considering how to use the County’s American Rescue Plan Act allotment, and have decided some will go towards helping to deal with the lack of child care in the County. The County will be receiving a total of $4.53 million in federal funds. County Commission Chair Mike Oates says they are looking at working with Columbia Gorge Community College to get more people interested in a career in child care and Early Childhood Education, noting the lack of child care in the region is preventing some people from going to work. Earlier Commissioners prioritized using the federal dollars in four broad categories: ending the pandemic and accomplishing maximum immunity within the county, continuing County services, assisting in economic recovery, and retooling to deal with new economic realities.