Applications Open for 2023 Union County TRT Grants
By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, February 21st, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
UNION COUNTY – (Release from the Union County Chamber of Commerce) The Union County Chamber of Commerce (“The Chamber”) and the Union County Tourism Promotion Advisory Committee (“UCTPAC”) invite grant applications for projects which will promote tourism to Union County. The purpose of the Union County TRT Grant Program is to increase the quantity and quality of overnight stays in lodging establishments in Union County, where the grants program funds tourism marketing and promotion in accordance with ORS 320.300. Grant applications will be accepted through March 17th, 2023, at 4:30 pm. Applications must be post marked or dropped off by the due date. Late applications will not be accepted. The Chamber and UCTPAC, appointed by the City of La Grande and Union County Board of Commissioners, will review, and make recommendations for grant awards up to $10,000 (based on the Chamber’s budget allocations). Awards will typically be announced no later than April 21st, 2023.
The Chamber and UCTPAC reserve the right to deny projects not meeting grant application criteria or supporting the mission of Union County Tourism, even if funding is available. Projects submitted outside of the grant cycle must be for new, nonrecurring projects/events (which were not planned in time to apply during the regular grant cycle) and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Nonprofit, for-profit organizations, businesses, and entities are eligible to apply for the Union County TRT Grants; however, grants will not be awarded to projects emphasizing private profitability and/or where investment could be considered a regular cost of doing business. Grant funds may only be used for Tourism Promotion or Tourism Related Facilities. Tourism Promotion is defined as materials and supplies, staffing, professional contracted services, or other costs in direct relation to advertising, publicizing, or distributing information for the purpose of attracting and welcoming tourists and visitors from outside the area (50+ miles) with the focus of generating tourists to encourage economic vitality. Tourism Related Facility costs are those related to conference, convention, or visitor information centers, other improved real property which has a useful life of ten or more years and has a substantial purpose of supporting tourism or accommodating tourist activities.
Applications may be downloaded off the Chamber of Commerce website at www.visitunioncounty.org. Applications may also be downloaded from all the Chamber social media sites and may also be requested by calling the Chamber office at 541-963-8588. For additional information or questions please contact the Union County Chamber of Commerce. Completed applications may be dropped off at or mailed to:
Union County Chamber of Commerce
207 Depot St.
La Grande, OR. 97850
541-963-8588
TOURISM GRANT FUNDING CRITERIA
- Demonstrate how the proposed tourism-related project, event or activity will be focused on tourists (as defined under ORS 320.300(10).
- Demonstrate how the organization will use TRT funds for one or more of the following purposes:
- a. advertising, publicizing or distributing information for the purpose of attracting and welcoming tourists.
- conducting strategic planning and research necessary to stimulate future tourism development;
- marketing special events and festivals designed to attract tourists;
- operating a tourism promotion agency (as defined under ORS 320.300(8); and/or
- developing, constructing, or operating a tourism-related facility (as defined under ORS 320.300(9).
- Demonstrate how the proposed tourism-related project, event or activity will promote local tourism and describe the beneficial results for Union County, including, but not limited to, any or all the elements:
- increase in tourist dollars spent in Union County.
- increase in overnight stays in hotels, motels, RV parks, inns, Bed and Breakfast establishments and other accommodations subject to the transient room tax and located within Union County;
- increase in tourist visits to business establishments within Union County;
- increase in publicity about Union County as a tourist destination; and
- other primary or secondary benefits of increased tourism in Union County
- Demonstrate how the applicant organization does or plans to comply with all applicable local, state and federal laws, ordinances and regulations relating to the organization and their proposed project, event, or tourism activities.
