City seeks tourism grant applications

ROSEBURG, OR – The City of Roseburg Economic Development Commission is taking applications for tourism grants through June 21, 2021.

After a COVID-19 pandemic-related suspension last fall and winter, the City is now accepting applications for tourism promotion and tourism-related projects in the Roseburg area that will draw visitors to the city.

“It’s exciting to be able to provide this opportunity to the community to help promote tourism since COVID has occurred,” said Roseburg Community Development Department Director Stuart Cowie.

The City’s Tourism Grant Program is funded through the Roseburg transient lodging tax collected within city limits. The City, which offers a spring and fall grant cycle, suspended the program in October 2020 after a significant decrease in those revenues.

For the spring 2021 grant cycle, applications will be accepted from registered businesses, registered 501(c)(3) organizations and other 501(c) tax-exempt organizations, and governmental entities.

Grants are typically awarded for such things as advertising, publicizing or distributing information to market special events and festivals designed to attract tourists or to attract and welcome tourists at tourism-related facilities; or capital improvement projects that have a substantial purpose of supporting tourism or accommodating tourism activities.

Past grants have been used to market such local events as the Lavender Festival & Farm Tour, the Great Umpqua Food Trail, the Challenge of Champions bull riding tour and the Umpqua Valley Arts Summer Arts Festival. One grant was used to produce the Master National Retriever Club training catalog for the AKC Master National Hunt Test held in Roseburg in 2018.

Another grant was used by Wildlife Safari to buy a portable stage, canvas tent and generator so the park could expand year-round events.

The commission is especially interested in events and projects that entice people to visit from Labor Day through Memorial Day, but all applications are strongly encouraged. The Economic Development Commission will review and consider all applications, and vote on submissions at the July 13, 2021, meeting.

Applications for grants of up to $5,000 will be considered just by the Economic Development Commission. Applications for grants of more than $5,000 include going before the Roseburg City Council.

Funding to cover general administrative costs or operational expenses are not eligible for grant consideration.

Applicants must adhere to current COVID-19 restrictions from the Oregon Health Authority when planning and holding events.

“Roseburg is a gem. We want to be able to share it with others,” Cowie said. “And this tourism program will help us be able to do that.”

Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on June 21, 2021, by email to cdd@cityofroseburg.org, or by mail or in person to the Community Development Department, Roseburg City Hall, 900 SE Douglas Ave., Roseburg, OR 97470.

Applications are available on the city website’s Economic Development Commission page or by calling the Community Development Department at 541-492-6750. TDD users may call Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 800-735-2900.

For more information about the Tourism Grant Program, please contact the Roseburg Community Development Department at cdd@cityofroseburg.org or at 541-492-6750.