[OMS_MANAGERS] Downtown Update - September 2025 Newsletter

[La Grande Main Street Downtown]

Email from La Grande Main Street Downtown September 2025 Newsletter LA GRANDE MAIN STREET DOWNTOWN About Us Support Our Mission Hello OMS, The summer has been speeding by, and it has been eventful... Crazy Days was a delight, filled with shopping adventures, vintage cars from the Timber Cruisers Car Club's La Grande Classic Car Show, games and amusements for kiddos and grownups, great food, fantastic music, and vendors from all over the region offering a cornucopia of delightful crafts. Big changes are afoot at La Grande Main Street Downtown. Sarah has moved on and we are in search of an Executive Director. Mary Ann has picked up the gauntlet and Joyce has returned to the office. See below for more about the Executive Director position. Enjoy the rest of the summer in lovely La Grande!   La Grande Main Street Downtown is hiring! We're seeking a dynamic and community-minded leader to serve as our next Executive Director. This full-time position offers the opportunity to champion local revitalization efforts, support small businesses, and foster a vibrant downtown culture. If you're passionate about economic development, historic preservation, and building strong community partnerships, we want to hear from you! Located in the heart of La Grande, LGMSD is part of the Oregon and National Main Street Programs™ and plays a key role in shaping the future of our historic downtown. The Executive Director will lead strategic initiatives, manage programs and events, and collaborate with local stakeholders to enhance the vitality of our city center. Learn more and apply at https://lagrandemainstreet.org/executive-director-position. Let’s build something great together! Business Oregon Launches ROI Grant Program to Support Rural Communities Business Oregon has opened applications for the 2025–2027 Rural Opportunity Initiative (ROI) Grant Program, offering $2.1 million in funding to help rural communities strengthen their local economies. The program supports entrepreneurship, small business growth, and inclusive economic development strategies tailored to each community’s unique needs. ROI is designed to empower local leaders and underrepresented Oregonians to build resilient, place-based enterprises that drive long-term prosperity. Grant recipients will receive funding through June 30, 2027, along with access to expert consultants and peer learning opportunities. Rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all approach, ROI encourages communities to define their own priorities and implement collaborative strategies that foster strong entrepreneurial ecosystems. This support helps businesses not only thrive during periods of growth but also recover more effectively from disruptions. Applications are due by Monday, September 22, 2025. A virtual information session will be held on Wednesday, September 3 from 1:00–2:00 PM. To register, please follow this link: https://oregon4biz.zoom.us/meeting/register. An evaluation committee comprised of internal and external stakeholders will review applications and make funding recommendations with Notices of Intent to Award expected by mid-November, 2025. For more information on Business Oregon’s ROI Grant Program, visit https://www.oregon.gov/biz/. Business Oregon also invites community members to participate in upcoming regional and virtual workshops to help shape the state’s economic development strategy and business incentive programs for the 2027 Legislative Session. For full details and registration links, visit Business Oregon’s website at https://www.oregon.gov/biz. La Grande Main Street Downtown has begun the planning process for our Halloween Safe Trick or Treat event to be held on Friday, October 31st from 4 to 6:30 PM up and down Adams Avenue. There will be treats from downtown merchants and community service organizations, the renowned haunted house, and a costume contest. We will be posting vendor information on our website shortly or, if you have questions, please call 541-963-1223. September Activities at Cook Memorial Library The library will be closed Monday, September 1st in honor of Labor Day. Oregon author Melody Carlson will be visiting on Friday, September 5th at 5:30 pm. Carlson is the bestselling author of over 250 works ranging from young adult to contemporary inspirational romance to annual Christmas novellas. Carlson will have books available for sale at the event. Participate in our first annual Franken-Toy Parade. Pick up an entry form starting September 9th. Create an original Franken-Toy using toy and doll parts to be put on display from October 2. All ages, prizes for age categories. Come by and vote for your favorite Franken-Toy! Storytime will be held on Thursdays, September 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th at 10:30 AM in the Story Circle. Join us for songs, stories, and crafts. Mysteries ‘n’ More Book Club meets Friday, September 12th at 1:00 PM. The club will discuss “The Lady and the Unicorn,” by Tracy Chevalier. New members welcome. This book club meets the second Friday of each month. Spells & Stars Book Club meets Saturday, September 20th at 3:00 PM. The book up for discussion is “A Discovery of Witches” by Deborah Harkness. New members welcome. Join Olivia Westenskow on Wednesday mornings starting September 24th at 10:15 AM in the Community Room for Bright Beginnings! Bright Beginnings is a class for little ones age 0 to 3 and their caregivers where they will experience movement, music, snacks, and play with their peers. Space is limited, so registration is required. Text Olivia at 541-786-2259 to reserve your spot and confirm locations. The class runs from September 24th through November 13th. Visit our StoryWalk© at Riverside Park along the Greenway and the Linda Elegant Memorial StoryWalk© at Birnie Park. Books are changed monthly and are sponsored by local individuals, families, and businesses. October preview: Local musician Gregory Rawlins will be here on Friday, October 3rd at 5:30 PM. Rawlins will perform music, read his original poetry, and guide participants in the creation of their own works of poetry using cut-up and blackout methods. Adults only. Discover and Go: Cultural Passes are available with a library card. Free passes are available for the Children’s Museum of Eastern Oregon, OMSI, the Columbia Gorge Museum, and more! See the link from the library’s webpage. These are provided by the Libraries of Eastern Oregon. Get weekly updates on events, the latest additions to our collections, and more with our newsletter through Wowbrary. Visit wowbrary.org to sign up. All library activities are free and held at Cook Memorial Library at 2006 4th Street in La Grande, unless otherwise noted. Visit CookMemorialLibrary.org, follow the library’s social media pages, or call 541-962-1339 for details. We're always looking for volunteers! Give back to your community through work on one of our main committees (Promotion, Design, Economic Vitality, or Outreach) or help downtown clean up, or a specific event! Click HERE to see all the different opportunities Interested in being a Partner? Learn more about our impact in the community and our available partnership levels on our website here. LGMSD Partners Ad Dad Aguilera's Amazing Aromas Allied Mortgage - a division of Mann Mortgage LLC Anderson Perry Associated Design and Engineering Becky's Burger Wagen/Barn BELLA Mercantile Be Well Studio Benchwarmers Pub & Grill Birddog Glass Blue Summit Realty Blue Mountain Outfitters Cam Credits Carol Summers Christ Church of La Grande City of La Grande Clanktronix/The Archives Claudson's Sew and Soak Community Bank Community Kindness of Eastern Oregon Community Merchants Connected Professional Accountants LLC Country Financial, Paul Swigert Designs By Stef Direct Music Source Dirty Girls Detailing DraWiki Edge Home Finance - Team Klebaum Eastern Oregon Title Edward Jones - Shawn Mangum Eleven Fifteen Spa Elkhorn Media Group EOAliveTV Eastern Oregon University Elkhorn Media Group Fairway Independent Mortgage Fit Fuel LG Fitzgerald Flowers Flying Cloud Gifts Grande Ronde Hospital Grande Ronde Soap and Bath Guyer and Associates JC Woodworks Katie Martin Custom Designs K Voelz Wines La Grande Theatres Laurence's Auto Body & Paint Le Bebe Cakes Bakery and Coffee House Les Schwab Tire Center Let 'Er Wrap Longbranch Lucy's Boutiques at the Market Place Underground Lush Boutique Salon Mamacita's International Grille Market Place Fresh Foods Mary Ann and Arlan Miesner Merlyn's Catering MJ Goss Motors Mountain Valley Therapy Mountain Works Nate Conklin State Farm Nature's Pantry Northwest Furniture & Mattress OTEC Peak Lifestyle Studio Papa Murphys Take & Bake Perky's Play Cafe Raul's Taqueria Real Deals RE/MAX Real Estate Team Rising Tide Soulpothecary Rob's Speedy Delivery Rosewood Cottage Savage Serpents Scott's Heating and Air Side A Brewing Sure Shot Virtual Range Sorbenots Source One Business Consulting Tap That! Growlers, LLC Teal Cactus The Laurel The Potter's House Timothy Bishop Travelodge Tyler Photo Co Union County Chamber of Commerce/Tourism United Finance Wheatland Insurance Wild Child Birth and Photo Williamson Insurance Woodsy Wicks Yuri Books ​Ziply Fiber   Upcoming Events   Contact Us     Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email About Events Calendar Projects Contact La Grande Main Street Downtown | 102 Depot St | La Grande, OR 97850 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice
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