Eastern Oregon Tourism Receives over Fifty Thousand in Grants from Travel Oregon
By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, January 24th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
UNION & WALLOWA COUNTIES – (Information from Travel Oregon) Travel Oregon Recently announced that it has allocated over $1.4 million in capacity and small project grants across the state. Funds are meant to help bolster tourism, with multiple organizations from Eastern and Southern Oregon counties receiving support. In their release, Travel Oregon Stated:
“The Oregon Tourism Commission, dba Travel Oregon, has awarded more than $1.4 million through its Capacity and Small Project Grant Program to help destination marketing/management organizations and federally recognized tribes with capacity building and targeted projects to enhance and expand economic impact through travel and tourism. Funds were awarded to develop and refine skills, systems, structures and strategies to help the awardee successfully fulfill its mission and achieve outcomes that are more impactful. All projects being funded by this program must be completed by December 31, 2023.”
In Eastern Oregon, the two organizations earned grants through the program:
Eastern Oregon Visitors Association ($48,406) for professional development to support staff participation in the Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy and in Cornell’s Sustainable Tourism Development Management Online course. Additionally, technical assistance to improve organizational effectiveness by updating the organization’s bylaws; hosting a Board retreat; and implementing a software platform to enhance management of its regional grant program.
Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce ($3,600) for review of personnel and compliance policies and a final formatted updated employee handbook.
Also, further west in Umatilla County:
Pendleton Chamber of Commerce, dba Travel Pendleton ($12,000) to support a shoulder season (winter) marketing campaign targeted at the Portland area.
Lastly in southeastern Oregon, the following organizations/communities were awarded funds:
Burns Paiute Tribe ($50,000) to hire a marketing consultant to create a strategic marketing plan around the destination’s assets and to support staff capacity for the Tribe to focus on tourism efforts.
Harney County Chamber of Commerce ($10,025) for tourism leadership professional development training and technical assistance support.
