November 5, 2024 3:10 p.m.
The Roseburg Community Development Department is accepting applications for fall 2024 tourism grants until December 31st
A city release said successful applicants may win grants of up to $7,500 or even more, to help draw visitors to Roseburg and the surrounding areas.
Last April, the city council authorized the Economic Development Commission to award tourism grants up to $7,500. Previously, the commission could award grants up to $5,000. The council could authorize larger grants. Applicants must submit well researched, well-supported applications that identify exactly how they would use this funding.
Roseburg Community Development Director Stuart Cowie said, “I encourage local businesses and nonprofits with ideas for new tourism events to throw their hat in the ring”. Cowie said, “We look forward to reviewing applications”.
The city’s Tourism Grant Program is funded through the Roseburg hotel/motel lodging tax collected within the city limits. The city offers a spring and fall grant cycle. For this cycle, applications will be accepted from registered businesses, registered 501c (3) organizations and other 501c tax-exempt organizations, and government entities.
The release said 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.
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 January 23rd.
Online applications can be found on the Community Development Department’s webpage: https://www.cityofroseburg.org/departments/community-development/links