The mission of Travel Oregon is to inspire travel that drives community enhancement and economic development. Through innovation and partnerships, we share the stories of Oregon’s people and places, deliver world-class experiences, strengthen the industry, work to ensure all travelers feel welcome and preserve Oregon’s way of life and its natural places. As we enter the peak visitor season amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, recommendations from state and federal public health officials continue to affirm that, in addition to protocols like wearing a face cover and maintaining physical distance, in social settings it is better to spend time outdoors rather than indoors.
Travel Oregon believes improved infrastructure is needed to enhance and expand the visitor experience over both the short and long-term and that these enhancements can help in economic recovery efforts.
Total funding available for the Competitive & Recovery Grants program is $2.3 million. Requests up to $100,000 will be accepted, depending on project type. No cash match is required. Projects must be completed by Nov. 30, 2021.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants include those listed below that are doing business in Oregon and can demonstrate direct work in support of improving the economic impacts of Oregon’s travel and tourism industry:
- Local government
- Port districts
- Federally-recognized tribes
- Non-profit entities registered with the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office
- Oregon-based tour operators, guides and outfitters
Project Eligibility
Eligible projects must be focused on the infrastructure needed to create or provide a COVID-19 appropriate visitor experience. Project categories include:
Outdoor Recreation
Eligible projects include:
- Trail development and improvements (includes wayfinding/signage/kiosks).
- Recreation site improvements and stewardship (includes wayfinding/signage/kiosks).
- Water recreation (includes access points/wayfinding/mile markers/signage).
- Cycling infrastructure (includes repair stations, restrooms, seating)
- Garbage/waste management solutions.
- Parking/transportation strategies and solutions.
Business District/Main Street
Eligible projects include:
- Creation of outdoor public spaces for people to sit, eat, drink and patronize businesses safely, and following state guidelines.
- Wayfinding enhancements.
- Clean-up/beautification in a business district.
Ticketed/Paid Events and Attractions
Eligible projects include:
- Online ticketing systems.
- Virtual streaming.
- Hand-washing stations.
- Restroom facilities.
- Amenities for outdoor programming.
- Wayfinding/interpretive signage.
Tour Operators/Guides/Outfitters (This is the ONLY category available for For-Profit Businesses to apply under – if you are NOT a Tour Operator, Guide or Outfitter you may not apply under this project category)
Eligible projects include:
- Configuration of vehicles/watercraft to maximize spacing.
- Safety placards or messaging.
- New or existing enhancements to online booking technology.
- Personal protective equipment.
Award Decision
The application process is open from 8 a.m. PST on Mar. 15 until 5 p.m. PST on Mar. 31. No applications or materials will be accepted after the 5 p.m. PST deadline. Award decisions will be announced by April 30 via email. Applications will be reviewed and decisions to award will be made based on the following:
- Demonstrates an immediate need for the project.
- Demonstrates the ability to complete the project in the required timeline (by Nov. 30, 2021).
- Demonstrates that applicant and project meet the eligibility requirements of Section II and Section III and that the application is complete and contains all information required by these grant guidelines.
- Preference given to projects that demonstrate they ensure accessibility and inclusion of all visitors, including under-represented communities.
- Preference given to entities with required permitting (if needed) secured.
Travel Oregon reserves the right to award grants in amounts totaling less than all funds that are available under the Competitive & Recovery Grants Program, to award a different amount than is requested in a grant application, to make changes to the Grant Guidelines or to cancel the Competitive & Recovery Grants Program in its entirety.
To Get Started
Review the complete Travel Oregon Competitive & Recovery Grants Guidelines available on the Application Documents page.
Timeline
- March 15, 2021 (8 a.m. PST) – Online application opens
- March 31, 2021 (5 p.m. PST) – Online application closes
- April 30, 2021 – Competitive & Recovery Grants application status notification
- Nov. 30, 2021 – Project completion deadline (grant funds spent)
- Dec. 15, 2021 – Project Status Report due (final budget, proof of spending, written account of how grant funds were used and the impact of the grant dollars
