Roseburg tourism grant applications to open

ROSEBURG, Ore. – Local businesses and nonprofits planning events to attract visitors can apply for fall tourism grants after the Roseburg Community Development Department opens the application cycle Wednesday, Nov. 1.

Successful applicants may win grants of up to $5,000 or even more to help draw visitors to beautiful Roseburg and surrounding areas. The Roseburg Community Development Department and Roseburg Economic Development Commission will take applications for tourism grants until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20.

The City’s Tourism Grant Program is funded through the Roseburg hotel/motel lodging tax collected within city limits. The City offers spring and fall grant cycles.

“The tourism grant program provides a unique way for the City to assist local organizations in helping to attract tourists to our beautiful area,” said Roseburg Community Development Department Director Stuart Cowie. “We encourage individuals to review the application materials to determine if their grant idea qualifies and submit an application.”

For this grant cycle, applications will be accepted from registered businesses, registered 501(c)(3) organizations and other 501(c) tax-exempt organizations, and governmental entities. Online applications can be found via the Community Development Department’s “Applications, Forms and Fees” webpage once the application cycle opens Nov. 1.

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 help produce Thrive Umpqua’s “Umpqua Grown Guide” and Umpqua Homes Inc.’s “Wings of Roseburg” mural, and to market such events as the Lavender Festival & Farm Tour, “Seams Like Home” quilt show, Blocktober Fest, Ghosts of Roseburg Past self-guided audio tour, Douglas County Pride Event, Great Umpqua Food Trail, Umpqua Velo Club’s Vineyard Tour, Challenge of Champions bull riding tour, and the Umpqua Valley Arts Summer Arts Festival. Another grant was used by Wildlife Safari to buy extra lights and market 2023 holiday 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 Roseburg Economic Development Commission will review and consider all applications and vote on submissions in early 2024. For more information, contact the Community Development Department at cdd@cityofroseburg.org or 541-492-6750.