An adaptive skier rides Mt. Hood Meadows with Oregon Adaptive Sports, a recipient of grant money through Travel Oregon's 2023 Competitive Grants Program. 

Travel Oregon uplifts Oregon communities by encouraging travel to all corners of the state. Through its Competitive Grants Program, the agency directly impacts organizations contributing to the growth of local economies through tourism.

The agency recently announced 56 recipients for $3.6 million in grants for the 2023 program, according to a press release. The program prioritized marginalized groups by selecting projects benefitting individuals with disabilities, people of color, Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribes and the LGBTQ+ community.

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Central Oregon grant recipients

Five of the recipients, listed below in descending order of grant amount, are located in Central Oregon.

The Museum at Warm Springs received $80,000 to improve the museum’s exhibits, programs and experiential elements and address issues with the building.

Bend’s High Desert Museum received $40,000 for marketing focused on celebrating Native experiences.

The City of Antelope in north Central Oregon gained national recognition when it became home to the Rajneesh movement. The city received $38,500 to relocate historic cabins from the Young Life youth center on the former site of the Rajneesh camp to the city’s downtown area. The cabins will serve as Antelope’s first lodging facility and will be ADA-accessible, according to a report by Travel Oregon.

Prineville-Crook County Chamber of Commerce received $25,900 to renovate the visitor center, making it accessible for those with mobility issues. Improvements include installing an automatic door and an accessible transition between the front steps and the entrance of the chamber office.

Oregon Adaptive Sports received $26,250 for professional photography and videography to highlight its programs and services, which enable people with disabilities to access high-quality outdoor experiences.

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“Each project will make a substantial impact on the accessibility and inclusivity of the tourism industry in Oregon (by) supporting Travel Oregon’s vision of a welcoming destination for all where tourism drives economic prosperity, benefits the natural environment and celebrates rich, diverse cultures,” said Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon.

Recipients are required to complete projects by April 14, 2025, according to the grant program timeline.