Oregon Outdoor Recreation Outfitter and Guide Relief Grant Program
Pursuant to Oregon Laws 2021, chapter 4, section 30 (Second Special Session), the Oregon Legislature, appropriated $10,000,000 from the General Fund to the Oregon Business Development Department for distribution to the Oregon Tourism Commission (“Travel Oregon”) to support a one-time program. The program will provide grants to registered outdoor recreation Oregon resident Outfitter and Guides financially impacted by restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic or by service disruptions related to drought or wildfire.
Download the Oregon Outdoor Recreation Outfitter and Guide Relief Grant Program Rules
The Oregon Outdoor Recreation Outfitter and Guide Relief Grant Program (the “Program”) is designed for Oregon domiciled persons registered as an Outfitter and Guide with the Oregon State Marine Board prior to March 1, 2020, that can attest to Oregon guiding business financial losses due to restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic or service disruption related to drought or wildfire. Qualifying Oregon guiding business financial losses are evidenced by at least one of the following (each a “Revenue Loss Period”):
- A loss of year-over-year Oregon gross revenue greater than 25% between calendar year 2019 and calendar year 2020; or
- A loss of year-over-year Oregon gross revenue greater than 25% between calendar year 2020 and calendar year 2021; or
- A loss of year-over-year Oregon gross revenue greater than 25% between calendar year 2019 and calendar year 2021.
Outfitter and Guides must select a singular Revenue Loss Period in which their guiding business was registered with the Oregon State Marine Board and operated during both calendar years of the Revenue Loss Period.
For Outfitter and Guides that have qualifying financial losses for multiple Revenue Loss Periods, the Revenue Loss Period with greater losses should be used in the grant application, as only one Revenue Loss Period will be used to determine the grant award.
It is the intent of the Program to fund as many Outfitter and Guides impacted by losses as possible, with preference given to smaller, more economically vulnerable guides and guiding businesses.
Applicants will be required to list the amount(s) received of any other relief funding or operational cost assistance due to COVID-19, wildfire or drought that were used to support the guiding business.
Only one application per guiding business will be accepted. For guiding businesses with multiple owners: Owners must determine which registered Outfitter and Guide among them will submit the application on behalf of the business. If multiple applications are submitted for a single business, the guiding business will be disqualified from receiving a grant award.
To Get Started
Review the complete Program Rules (available on Apr. 22, 2022)
Review the grant application questions (available on Apr. 22, 2022)
Complete an online application (available from Apr. 29-May 13, 2022)
Timeline
- Application period opens: April 29, 2022
- Application period closes: May 13, 2022 (5 p.m. PDT)
- Application review starts: May 16, 2022
- Award announcement: June 8, 2022
- Award checks mailed: Mid-July 2022
