Tillamook Coast Visitors Association oversees five grant opportunities.
Tillamook County businesses and organizations that could use financial support for marketing and/or facility improvements should look into the five Tillamook Coast Visitors Association grants now available.
“The Tillamook Coast Visitors Association is continuing its promise to invest transient lodging tax dollars back into our community,” says Nan Devlin, TCVA Executive Director. “We have five generous grant programs and we’re looking forward to reviewing all of the promising projects.”
Tourism Marketing Grants: Due Nov. 15
Tillamook County tourism-related businesses and nonprofits are eligible for up to $5,000 in tourism marketing grants. The total grant pool of $50,000 is made possible by the portion of the transient lodging tax funds managed by TCVA. Applications open Oct. 1, with a Nov. 15 submission deadline.
Eligible businesses include retail stores, restaurants, lodging, outdoor recreation, food producers and nonprofits that conduct tourism-related programs. Considerations include whether the project supports sustainable tourism and whether the goals and budget are realistic.
Rockaway Beach offers a marketing grant, as well. Applicants that own tourism-related businesses and nonprofits are eligible for up to $3,000. The $30,000 fund is available Oct. 1, with a deadline of Nov. 15.
Manzanita’s Off-Season Marketing Grant is returning this year after a pause during Covid. This $20,000 fund will also launch Oct. 1. Tourism businesses and nonprofits operating in the city of Manzanita can apply for up to $2,000.
Tourism-Related Facilities Grant: Due Dec. 15
A separate $400,000 grant is made possible by the portion of transient lodging tax funds overseen by the Tillamook County Board of Commissioners. Applicants can ask for up to $75,000 for tourism-related facilities projects. The grant process, managed by TCVA, opens Oct. 1 and has a Dec. 15 deadline for submission.
Any city, county or other local government, and nonprofit organization is eligible to apply so long as it conducts tourism-related activities or services in Tillamook County (excluding county-lead or sponsored projects). Eligible projects include:
- A conference center, convention center or visitor information center.
- Other improved real property that has a useful life of ten (10) or more years and has a substantial purpose of supporting tourism or accommodating tourist activities.
- A “tourism-related facility” may also include a master plan, engineering study or architectural work reasonably required to locate, design, or construct a facility.
- “Visitor information center” means a building, or a portion of a building, the main purpose of which is to distribute or disseminate information to tourists.
Rockaway Beach Façade Improvement Grant: Due Dec. 15
In addition, the City of Rockaway is rolling out a new façade improvement grant for 2023-24. Their $200,000 pot of funds is for businesses serving visitors in the Rockaway Beach area. Eligible applicants must operate in the Rockaway Beach area or serve visitors in the Rockaway Beach area, and be a business serving visitors and the tourism industry. Maximum grant amount is $20,000.
To apply:
To apply for TCVA’s facilities or marketing grants, or Manzanita’s marketing grant, visit www.tillamookcoast.com/grants. For more information on Rockaway’s marketing and facilities grants, go to www.visitrockawaybeach.org/grants. For additional questions, contact TCVA Finance and Grant Manager Marni Johnston at 503-842-2672, ext. 3.
About Visit Tillamook Coast
Tillamook Coast Visitors Association (dba Visit Tillamook Coast) is a destination management organization committed to sustainable tourism principles of community, stewardship and economic vitality. We support the Tillamook Coast through initiatives guided by those principles, including outdoor recreation, accessibility, culinary/agritourism, cultural heritage/arts, community development, natural resources and public safety. For more information, visit www.tillamookcoast.com.
