Grants modified for greater impact
By Paul Hall on Thursday, December 2nd, 2021 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – (Information provided by the Union County Chamber of Commerce) Union County Chamber of Commerce and Union County Tourism Promotion Advisory Committee (UCTPAC) or “tourism committee”) are excited to announce and unveil the newly-restructured TRT Grants and Cooperative Grants. Previously, the TRT Mini Grants were available to request only up to $1,000 per year; however, the newly modified structure allows applicants to request up to $10,000 per project. The Chamber and UCTPAC have been working diligently over the past year, when the regular grant cycle was not opened due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, to restructure the grants for maximum impact, both in tourism promotion, community support, and economic development for the community. “With the COVID-19 pandemic having put so many of the events and projects on hold from 2020, the tourism committee used this as an opportunity to evaluate the true effectiveness of the grant programs and really restructure to ensure the grants take projects to the next level,” said Suzannah Moore-Hemann, Chief Executive Officer of the Union County Chamber of Commerce. “We’re excited and encouraged to have the opportunity to find new ways to support these efforts with more strategic effectiveness.”
Each year, a portion of transient room tax (TRT) funds, also known as hotel taxes, are set aside to assist in the promotion or development of events or attractions with the goal of increasing the economic impact of tourism in Union County. The Cooperative (Co-Op) Grant is open throughout the fiscal year without deadline (dependent on availability of funds). The purpose of the Cooperative Advertising Program is to promote tourism-related events and activities to a wider audience through cost-sharing partnerships. Applicants of may request up to 50% reimbursement of the cost of media advertising, travel writers, multi-entity advertising opportunities, and more. The TRT Grant, formerly known as the TRT Mini Grant, has been entirely restructured. Grant applicants may now ask for project support up to $10,000 to allow for greater project impact.
“The Chamber and the tourism committee is thrilled to undertake projects to support the mission of the Chamber to foster economic growth and community development and really put La Grande and Union County on the map as a destination for visitors. The grant applications are extensive, and the review and selection processes are rigorous, but we’re excited about the opportunity to really elevate the grant process into something with true impact,” Moore-Hemann commented. “The new program still allows us the opportunity to support the events we have, but it also allows us the flexibility to increase our potential support for growing phenomenal projects.”
The grant cycle will open January 1, 2022, and the Chamber will accept applications until March 15, 2022. Applications and additional information will go live on the Chamber’s website, www.VisitUnionCounty.org on January 1, 2022.
The Union County Chamber of Commerce maintains a contract with the City of La Grande, the Union County Board of Commissioners, supported by Transient Room Tax (TRT) dollars. This funding is earmarked specifically for tourism promotion. More information is available by contacting the Chamber Director (541- 963-8588, Director@VisitUnionCounty.org).
