Fall tourism grant cycle to open in Roseburg

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 on Monday, Nov. 3.

Successful applicants may win grants of up to $7,500 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. 31.

Applicants must submit well-researched, well-supported applications that identify exactly how they would use the funding. The City Council can award grants larger than $7,500.

“We welcome new ideas for marketing and promoting local tourism events,” said Roseburg Community Development Department Director Stuart Cowie. “We are excited to review applications.”

The City’s Tourism Grant Program is funded through the Roseburg hotel/motel lodging tax collected within city limits.

The City offers a spring and fall grant cycle. Applications will be accepted from registered businesses, registered 501(c)(3) organizations and other 501(c) tax-exempt organizations, and governmental entities.

Applications must be submitted by email, mail or in person to the Community Development Department, Roseburg City Hall, 900 S.E. Douglas Ave., Roseburg, OR 97470. Submit an application electronically by completing the online form that will be posted on Monday, Nov. 3, and emailing the application to cdd@roseburgor.gov.

Grants are 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 events as the Ghosts of Roseburg Past, Great Umpqua Food Trail, Umpqua Velo Club’s Vineyard Tour, Challenge of Champions bull riding tour, Elks Lodge Back to School Auto Extravaganza and Street Fair, and Umpqua Valley Arts Summer Arts Festival. One grant was used by Wildlife Safari to build a viewing platform so guests can get a better look at giraffes inside the park.

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 its next meeting on Thursday, Jan. 22.

For more information, contact the Community Development Department at cdd@roseburgor.gov or 541-492-6750.