Oregon City announces second round of grant applications for city event proposals

Oregon City is looking for new marquee events that will draw crowds from across the region.

The local government announced on Tuesday, July 2 that it is accepting grant applications for city-sponsored public events.

The event proposals should cater to between 1000 and 5000 community members and tourists, be open to the public and inside Oregon City limits. The events will ideally occur annually, but grants have been given to single-occurrence special events in the past.

The grants will provide up to $12,000, or 60% of the total project costs.

City-sponsored public events include the Oregon City Festival of the Arts and the Oregon Trail Brewfest.

The upcoming First City Celebration on Saturday, July 27, is the next city-sponsored public event that recognizes Oregon City’s historic place as the first city in Oregon.

Both nonprofits and for-profit organizations are invited to apply for grant funding; however, only nonprofit organizations are allowed to charge admission if utilizing tax revenue.

“The City’s financial support is meant to foster a growing, stable and viable ongoing public event that can demonstrate public support and demand. This in turn helps bring new dollars to our community and enhances the quality of life for residents,” Oregon City Economic Development Manager James Graham said in a press release.

Funding comes from local lodging tax revenue. Applicants must demonstrate how their event will count attendees and where they are coming from.

“Because these grants are coming from tax dollars, ensuring transparency through the entire process, from awarding the grants to measuring the results, is the top priority,” added Graham in the release.

According to the grant funding website, events should capture the hometown energy of Oregon City and have the potential to attract tourists beyond Clackamas County.

Applications are due by Wednesday, Oct. 23. For more information visit https://traveloregoncity.com/cspep/ .