A quiet but significant milestone for Southern Oregon’s growing technology sector is unfolding in Grants Pass, where locally headquartered software company Rentec Direct is celebrating ten years of investing directly in Oregon students pursuing careers in technology.
The anniversary marks more than a company achievement. It reflects how a regional business has steadily helped shape the state’s evolving workforce at a time when demand for skilled technology professionals continues to accelerate across Oregon and nationwide.
Founded in Grants Pass and operating entirely from Southern Oregon, Rentec Direct launched its Tech Mastery Scholarship in 2016 with a straightforward goal: help Oregon students overcome financial barriers while encouraging them to build careers in technology fields that increasingly drive economic growth. Ten years later, the program has supported more than 30 students and distributed over $15,000 in scholarship funding to aspiring professionals studying computer science, software development and related disciplines.
The 2026 scholarship cycle officially opened February 1 and will accept applications through April 30, continuing what company leaders describe as a long-term investment in Oregon’s talent pipeline.
Technology has become one of Oregon’s fastest-expanding industries, employing tens of thousands of workers statewide. Over the past decade, employment in software development, information technology services and data science has grown dramatically, with projections indicating continued double-digit expansion in many specialized roles. That growth has created both opportunity and urgency for employers seeking trained workers who are prepared to enter an increasingly competitive digital economy.
Rentec Direct says its scholarship program was designed specifically to address that need while keeping talent rooted in Oregon communities rather than losing graduates to larger metropolitan tech hubs.
“As a growing tech company headquartered in Oregon, we see firsthand how important it is to encourage and retain skilled talent within our home state,” said Kaycee Miller, Chair of the Tech Mastery Scholarship. “With rising tuition costs and increasing demand for tech professionals, investing in students is one of the most meaningful ways we can support the next generation of innovators who will shape Oregon’s technology sector.”
Students who have received the scholarship over the past decade have attended institutions across the state, including Oregon State University, Oregon Institute of Technology, Portland State University and Central Oregon Community College. Many recipients have gone on to work for major national and global organizations such as Apple, Microsoft, NASA, Netflix and Pfizer, demonstrating how local educational support can translate into global career pathways.
The program also highlights a broader trend emerging in Southern Oregon: technology companies choosing to grow outside traditional urban centers. While Portland has long been viewed as the state’s primary tech hub, businesses like Rentec Direct are helping redefine where innovation happens by building high-skill employment opportunities in smaller communities.
All Rentec Direct employees are based in Southern Oregon, a decision company leadership says reflects a commitment to regional economic development and workforce sustainability. By supporting students early in their academic journeys, the company hopes to strengthen the local talent pool while encouraging graduates to remain connected to Oregon’s communities.
Eligibility for the Tech Mastery Scholarship includes Oregon residents and students currently enrolled at Oregon colleges or universities. High school seniors planning to attend an Oregon institution beginning in fall 2026 are also encouraged to apply. Applicants must submit a cover letter and essay outlining their educational goals and interest in technology careers, with scholarship recipients scheduled to be announced in June.
Beyond financial assistance, programs like the Tech Mastery Scholarship illustrate how local businesses increasingly play a direct role in education and workforce preparation. As industries evolve and automation, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure reshape nearly every sector, partnerships between employers and students are becoming essential components of regional economic resilience.
For Grants Pass, the milestone represents more than an anniversary. It underscores how a homegrown technology company has quietly contributed to Oregon’s future workforce for a decade, proving that innovation, opportunity and long-term investment can grow far beyond major cities when local businesses choose to invest where they live and work.
Applications and additional information about the scholarship program are available at RentecDirect.com/Scholarship.