[OMS_MANAGERS] Revitalization Grant Backlash

[Robert Cowie]

We initially reached out to the community through public meetings when we first pursued an OMSRG for the HIRVI Building. With numerous projects underway within the city, the City developed Chiloquin Connects. This consolidated outreach effort brings together multiple groups through quarterly events featuring interactive booths, formal presentations, and incentive-based participation. CVIP and the property owner collaborated to provide updates during the HIRVI project. When CVIP decided to proceed with another grant application, we sent notices via the city’s water bills to downtown businesses, posted them online, and then participated in a couple of Chiloquin Connects meetings.

I have attached a document regarding the city’s Chiloquin Connects meetings that was used for an LOC award nomination.


Thank you,

Robert Cowie
Executive Director
Chiloquin Visions in Progress
140 South First Ave, P.O. Box 204
Chiloquin, OR 97624

robert at chiloquinvisions.com<mailto:rcowie.chicityhall at gmail.com>
Cell: 760 443-4426
Phone: (541) 783-7780

www.chiloquinvisions.com<http://www.chiloquinvisions.com/>
www.facebook.com/ChiloquinCommunityCenter<http://www.facebook.com/ChiloquinCommunityCenter>

From: OMS_MANAGERS <oms_managers-bounces at omls.oregon.gov> On Behalf Of STUART Sheri * OPRD
Sent: Monday, June 16, 2025 8:20 AM
To: Oregon Main Street Network Members <oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov>
Subject: Re: [OMS_MANAGERS] Revitalization Grant Backlash

For their previous OMSRG, the folks in Chiloquin also included the community to learn about the project and then brought them back together again. You might reach out to them to check on how they hosted this.
[cid:image001.jpg at 01DBDEDD.7B4FAF00]

Sheri Stuart (she, her, hers) |  Oregon Main Street Coordinator
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Oregon Heritage, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
Desk:  (503)986-0679 cell: (503)551-3705
725 Summer St NE, Ste C
Salem, Oregon 97301

Visit our website<http://www.oregonheritage.org/>, Like us on Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/OregonHeritage>, Visit our Blog<http://oregonheritage.wordpress.com/>, Join the Oregon Heritage News e-news<https://omls.oregon.gov/mailman/listinfo/Heritage> Check our LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/company/oregon-parks-and-recreation-department/>.

From: OMS_MANAGERS <oms_managers-bounces at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:oms_managers-bounces at omls.oregon.gov>> On Behalf Of President DCO
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2025 10:22 AM
To: Oregon Main Street Network Members <oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov>>
Subject: Re: [OMS_MANAGERS] Revitalization Grant Backlash

We're going to be holding a public meeting to allow people to ask questions about the grant itself- letting folks know it's not a one time thing, that it requires a match, etc... And allowing our recipient to address any concerns or what have you that people might have.
We're hoping this gives people the information they need to understand the grants and also gets them excited for future projects. We are also asking our recipient, because it's our first time doing the grant, to talk about his experiences helping put it together.
I find putting a positive spin and giving people more information is a great way to alleviate the haters.

Jen Waters
President
Downtown Corvallis Org.
541-250-1707
[https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/mail-sig/AIorK4zHF6hgaa3xfxxztOGjKNXLiG0ZIsZAqPfeY-eHMcp8j_MI0eUCnAFUlRjJOZUWDtvMAUuRs90hwL35]<https://downtown-corvallis.org/>

On Sat, Jun 14, 2025, 9:23 AM Shannon Suhr <shannonbsuhr at gmail.com<mailto:shannonbsuhr at gmail.com>> wrote:
Hello Everyone,

One of our businesses who was awarded the revitalization grant has received comments from a customer questioning if they still needed their support "now that they will be getting all that money." The business owner is understandably upset because of this and because of social media comments questioning why other, more distressed buildings on Main Street were not chosen.

We are planning on releasing a statement explaining the grant process, but are there any other suggestions on how to handle this from a PR perspective?

We are a newer group and would appreciate hearing how other communities addressed these issues.

Thanks!
Shannon Suhr
Canyonville Main Street Association
Vice President
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