Grant awarded to fund new fall event in Prineville

A new fall event in Prineville will benefit from a recent grant from a regional organization committed to improving tourism.

Visit Central Oregon has announced that 15 recipients will be awarded a total of $450,000 in grant money as part of the Central Oregon Future Fund. One of the recipients is Explore Prineville – High Desert Moonfest, which received $28,725. The Moonfest is a Harvest to Heritage celebration that is set for late October. It will celebrate an end to the farming season that has historically driven the Crook County economy since its founding.

The grant program to support local tourism projects benefiting both visitors and residents is in its second annual cycle. Visit Central Oregon selected the recipients from a total of 26 applications requesting more than $1 million in funding.

The recipients represent a wide range of tourism-related projects — from a new and innovative series of exhibitions focusing on diverse stories and cultures, including those of Indigenous and Latinx communities at the High Desert Museum to supporting rural Antelope with a catalytic hub for travelers to use restrooms, refill on water and to be use as a multi-use outdoor event space for their community.

Each has at least one thing in common: Every project awarded a Central Oregon Future Fund grant emphasized sustainable tourism programs and enhancements in line with the Fund’s pillars of promoting accessible adventure, cultural tourism and stewardship. The 26 applications included seven access adventure projects, 13 cultural tourism projects and six stewardship projects. The 15 applicants being awarded include four access adventure projects, seven cultural tourism projects and four stewardship projects.

“Now in our second year of the Future Fund, Visit Central Oregon is proud to continue supporting projects and programs that have a positive impact on our communities throughout the region,” said Kristine McConnell, VP of Regional Programs for Visit Central Oregon.

The grants are entirely funded by revenue generated from the region’s transient room tax that is dedicated to tourism programs.

“Visit Central Oregon is committed to supporting the region by reinvesting grant funds generated by tourism revenue dollars back into our communities to create a positive impact,” McConnell said. “Ultimately, Visit Central Oregon’s mission is to be stewards for the value that tourism brings to Central Oregon and ensure that the region remains a community we all enjoy.”

To learn more about the Central Oregon Future Fund and this year’s grant recipients, visit visitcentraloregon.com/Future-Fund.