[OMS_MANAGERS] OMS Round-up- Feb 10

Tue Feb 10 15:33:59 PST 2026

What's Inside:

  *   OMS Updates: MOM, 2025 OMS Annual Report
  *   MSA Updates: BOOMS Tracker drop in office hours; Main Street America Story Map
  *   Funding Opportunities: 3rd Round of American 250 Grants open soon, National Trust Preservation Grants due soon
  *   Learning Opportunities: HDP shares Main Street America's Business Trends Insight

OMS Updates:

  *   February MoM Call Schedule - Thursday, February 12, 9:30 am.  | Access Link: Mornings on Main Link<https://us06web.zoom.us/s/83792327319?pwd=5dDiLoBqsGk2eTUEKWDI1demY1aqM6.1#success>, Password: 760959 - If you have issues with this link, remember the link can be found on the Google calendar on our website through the orange portal button. We have an open agenda this week so let me know if there is a topic you would like to share.
  *   2025 OMS Annual Report: The 2025 OMS Annual Report is posted on our website and can be found here<https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/OH/Documents/2025%20%20Main%20Street%20Annual%20Report_Final.pdf>. It includes highlights from the network, updates on OMS goals and objectives, and the farewell message from outgoing state coordinator Sheri Stuart. We hope you take a look at what the Network has accomplished and share the report with your board, volunteers, and partners.

Main Street America Updates:

  *   Mike Powe and Emi Morita and I -- the duo behind the BOOMS Tracker - are hosting BOOMS Office Hours on Fridays at Noon PT / 3pm ET beginning Feb 6 and continuing for the next month. Here's the link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/21908054480936?p=m3uL9oGJQm9voaahNH

  *   This year MSA is launching a new project called Main Street 250, exploring the parts of the American story that are "hidden in plain sight" in our Main Street communities. Every Main Street in America has a story that locals know but few outsiders do: moments that shaped our communities and sometimes the country itself. And today I'm excited to share with you a sneak peek at our Main Street 250 storytelling map! Explore the Map ><https://map.proxi.co/r/dAGYgXyPQNY3S9EGV2PY>
>From moments of national significance to stories known only by locals, this map shows how American history has been shaped not just in capitals and monuments, but on sidewalks, in storefronts, and on public squares where everyday people did extraordinary things.
This beta is just the beginning, and MSA needs your help to make it better. You are invited to explore the stories already on the map, and then submit one from your own Main Street<https://d5ghn804.na1.hubspotlinks.com/Ctc/Y+113/d5gHn804/VVHctl6clK8GW4XQLgg6R_kzCW842MfZ5K6PkGN7Wbry-3m2nnW7Y8-PT6lZ3m9W4cYYyx1N1SdJVzj61x1Cq_gXW14JNFj6NBP7JW6l8Pqm1SdFNGN2MR0lncScdnN3XC6gyDJRr4W5QSLvR4b_6TCN7mMrGJprnjrW7Qph7D4CV79GW2V7VSP8_Qd81W71m72w4Dcs6PW1PhdH750X110W4jW49W1T5pzcW3sQZnP3XsrvgN4kRsLY1kJbpW8P8zzF5WBhn6W4WW4N32B0_TgW35Hm5R6pY2_SW8mnBgW65N_hWVqPC6N3fDnRRW2-vvM42l5GL9N7SFG7GVwPJlW6ZVBzN8HYR8RW7BfxW86BZNTCW3Cx3G94YLH-kW5VYNCN2P8p4Yf87fPrq04>. Together, we can help tell a story of America at 250 that reflects the full, diverse, and deeply local histories that define our downtowns and connect us across generations and geography.

Funding Opportunities

  *   American 250 Oregon Commission announces third round of grants opening up for applications March 4 The America 250 Oregon Commission<https://www.oregon250.org/>, in partnership with Oregon Heritage<https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/oh/pages/default.aspx> and the Oregon Historical Society<https://www.ohs.org/>, established the Oregon 250 Grant Program to help organizations create inclusive, community-focused projects that highlight Oregon's diverse histories, traditions, and cultures. To date, the program has awarded $125,000 to 38 organizations across two funding cycles. A third funding cycle will open on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 8am, and will remain open until April 3, 2026, or until all funds are expended. A total of $50,000 in funding is available in this third cycle, with 50% dedicated to rural communities. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible projects. The grant application will go live on this page on March 4.

Eligible organizations - including nonprofits, local governments, public schools, universities, colleges, and federally recognized tribes in Oregon - may apply for grants of up to $3,000. Funding can support events, exhibitions, educational programming, collections development, research, and interpretation. Projects must align with the mission of America 250 Oregon and one or more of its seven guideposts<https://www.oregon250.org/about/>, which range from honoring veterans and celebrating Oregon's landscapes to elevating cultural traditions and fostering civic engagement.

No match is required, and funds may be used for staffing, equipment, materials, promotion, and other direct project costs. The grant period runs through June 30, 2027. Access the grant report form here<https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/8e9c0970b6e84b83989d63c4fc4ac248>. For more details, review the full grant guidelines<https://www.oregon250.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Americ250OregonGrantGuidelines.pdf> or contact Kuri Gill at kuri.gill at oprd.oregon.gov<mailto:kuri.gill at oprd.oregon.gov>.

  *   Preservation Grant Deadlines Approaching
*        Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors<https://support.savingplaces.org/s/4519104/jBSjy2VY> assist in the preservation, restoration, and interpretation of historic interiors. Grants range up to $15,000 and are due March 2.
*        Johanna Favrot Fund for Historic Preservation<https://support.savingplaces.org/s/4519105/jBSjy2VY> aims to save historic environments in order to foster an appreciation of our nation's diverse cultural heritage and to preserve and revitalize the livability of the nation's communities. Grants range up to $15,000 and are due March 2.
*        National Fund for Sacred Places<https://support.savingplaces.org/s/4519106/jBSjy2VY> provides training, planning grants, technical assistance, capacity-building support, and capital grants up to $500,000 to community-serving historic houses of worship across America. Applications are due March 3.

Learning Opportunities:
Sharing Info Resources: The Hillsboro Downtown Partnership did a great job sharing the recent results from Main Street America's Business Trends Survey with advice for local businesses and a quick click to the whole article:
A new piece from Main Street America highlights eight trends expected to shape small businesses in 2026-and it's worth a quick read if you're planning promotions, adjusting inventory, refining your customer experience, or thinking about expansion.
Here are a few takeaways that stood out for Downtown businesses:

  *   Value wins in a mixed economy. Customers may be spending differently across income levels-so clear pricing, bundles, loyalty perks, and "worth it" experiences matter.
  *   Don't rely on social media alone. As platforms shift and people tune out, your website, Google Business profile, and word-of-mouth become even more essential to staying discoverable.
  *   Experience + connection matter more than ever. The article predicts continued growth for "third spaces" and experiential shopping-something Main Streets are uniquely positioned to offer.
  *   New ownership/financing models are gaining traction. Co-ops, employee ownership, and alternative financing structures may become more common-useful context if you're thinking long-term succession or growth.
  *   Circular retail is expanding. Repairs, trade-ins, resale, refurbishment, and rentals are showing up in more industries as a way to diversify revenue and keep customers coming back.
  *   Food & beverage is evolving. The article notes major shifts in alcohol consumption trends and predicts growing demand for new concepts and menu adaptations.
Why this matters for Downtown Hillsboro: 2026 is positioned as a major year for Main Street business support nationally, with new tools and resources rolling out alongside the broader trend toward community-driven, experience-first districts.
If you have time for one strategic read this week, this is a good one-especially as we plan for the year ahead on Main Street in Downtown Hillsboro.
Take me to the article<https://mainstreet.org/the-latest/news/main-spotlight-eight-trends-for-small-businesses-in-2026?utm_campaign=14701666-Main%20Spotlight&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_md0kb7fPcMmHbRvRpIJ3_PQfXPeKscPCoNZFigQsXPDEokDUAiyboIqSBv4n6ApQXkiVhLbbZUJa0SHw1s1y1pYJvJA&_hsmi=401861912&utm_content=401861912&utm_source=hs_email&mc_cid=ba5e84ddb8&mc_eid=e98deb39d9>

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Sheri Stuart (she, her, hers) |  Oregon Main Street Coordinator
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Oregon Heritage, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
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/>.

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