2023-2024 Oregon Wine Country License Plate Matching Grant Program Opens Applications Feb. 13
With funding provided through sales of the Oregon Wine Country license plate, Travel Oregon administers a program to make grant awards available to “tourism promotion agencies” for projects that promote wine and culinary tourism.
Eligible applicants include those that are “Tourism Promotion Agencies” in Oregon. ORS 320.300 defines “Tourism Promotion Agency” as:
- An incorporated nonprofit organization or governmental unit responsible for the tourism promotion of a destination on a year-round basis.
- A nonprofit entity that manages tourism-related economic development programs and projects.
- A regional or statewide association that represents entities that rely on tourism-related business for more than 50% of their total income.
Eligible projects or initiatives must provide for the improvement or expansion of the tourism economy in Oregon. Projects must promote wine and/or culinary tourism. “Tourism promotion” is defined as:
- Advertising, publicizing or distributing information for the purpose of attracting and welcoming visitors.
- Conducting strategic planning and research necessary to stimulate future tourism development.
- Operating tourism promotion agencies (specific to wine and culinary tourism efforts).
- Marketing special events and festivals designed to attract visitors.
The project is intended to increase the likelihood of visitation from 50 miles outside the local area.
Travel Oregon will host two virtual Q+A lunch hour events via Zoom on Feb. 13 and Feb. 23 to answer questions surrounding the guidelines or application process. Please direct questions to grants@traveloregon.com.
