Wallowa County Projects Awarded Over $1.1 Million in Main Street Revitalization Grants
By Garrett Christensen on Wednesday, June 11th, 2025 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
WALLOWA COUNTY – (Release from the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce) The Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce that its Rural Regional Main Street program has secured $1,101,676 through the 2025 Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant to support 14 downtown revitalization projects across Enterprise, Joseph, and Wallowa. This funding marks a significant investment in historic preservation, economic growth, and community vitality throughout the county.
“It’s amazing to see the heart and hard work of our communities recognized in such a big way,” said Jenni Word, Wallowa County Chamber Board President. “These projects breathe new life into our Main Streets while honoring the unique character of each town. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together and excited for what’s ahead for Wallowa County.”
The funded projects include:
- Enterprise Downtown Revitalization – $385,001
- The Sinclair Building project will transform a long-vacant former post office into two new retail storefronts and an alley-facing apartment, restoring historic transom windows and improving the streetscape across from the Wallowa County courthouse.
- The OK Theatre project will complete the final rehabilitation of this century-old cultural landmark by finishing green rooms, lodging spaces for artists, and new retail shop spaces.
- The Central Copy & Shipping project will improve safety and historic character at this essential local business through façade restoration, threshold and signage upgrades, and new commercial flooring.
- Joseph Main Street Revitalization – $335,435
- The Josephy Center for Arts & Culture project will complete the interior of its new addition, expanding arts education, classes, exhibits, and multigenerational community programming.
- The Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center project will unify its dual storefront into one engaging space with new windows, signage, flooring, and exhibits that honor Black logging history and regional heritage.
- Anton’s Home and Spirits project will address safety concerns by replacing its deteriorating subfloor, ensuring continued operation.
- The Joseph Laundromat Plex project will introduce a new pet grooming business and workforce housing unit while rehabilitating the building’s façade and function.
- Wallowa Revitalization – Usable Spaces & Facades – $381,240
- The Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland Visitor Center project will upgrade its unused second floor, enabling pop-up markets, events, and cultural programming.
- The Wallowa Community Legion Hall project will be fully rehabilitated into an ADA-accessible gathering space and emergency resilience hub.
- The Wallowa Public Library will gain a safe, functional basement space for programs and job-seeker resources.
- Lending Heart Community Resources project will receive a much-needed HVAC upgrade to ensure continued use by counseling and medical equipment programs.
- The Wallowa History Center project will complete its final restoration phase of the historic Bear-Sleds Ranger Station complex with porch and exterior upgrades.
- The Wallowa Creamery project will replace siding and the roof, moving toward use as a downtown event venue.
- The Wallowa Community ReStore and Farmers Market project will restore windows and repaint the building to contribute to the overall beautification of Main Street.
“This achievement reflects the incredible dedication of our local partners and the strength of regional collaboration,” said Jennifer Piper, Executive Director of the Wallowa County Chamber. “Working together across communities has allowed us to secure meaningful investment in our downtowns, which will create new opportunities that benefit the entire County.”
The grants were made possible by Oregon Heritage, a division of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, through the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant program. Funded by state lottery bonds, the program supports preservation-based community revitalization efforts in designated Main Street communities across Oregon.
The Chamber and its Main Street partners will be celebrating these awards with a public open house on Tuesday, June 24th at 5:00pm at the Chamber offices located at 101 W Main Street in Enterprise.
