[OMS_MANAGERS] OMS Round-Up | February 17, 2026

Tue Feb 17 14:02:56 PST 2026

Good Afternoon Main Streeters!
This week's round-up features lots of good stuff, but pay particular attention to the few important deadlines upcoming for preservation grants and public comment periods. Let us know if you have any questions! See you all at Mornings on Main this week to talk about AI & making your Main Streets more efficient.

What's Inside:

  *   OMS Updates: MOM - Third Thursday, Heritage Plan Comment Period, How To! Reporting Review, 2025 OMS Annual Report
  *   MSA Updates: BOOMS Tracker Office Hours; Main Street America Story Map
  *   Funding Opportunities: America 250 Oregon Grants, National Trust Preservation Grants, Oregon Heritage Grants, Brownfields Fund
  *   Learning Opportunities: R&D Resource Share: Michigan Main Street Resource Hub

OMS Updates
Mornings on Main Third Thursday: AI for Main Street | February 19, 2026
Main Street board member for the Historic Downtown Gresham Association, Amee Curtis joins us this week as our Third Thursday speaker to demystify and take the fear out of using AI tools. She'll share different platforms, and how to safely use them to make your Main Street work more efficient. Access Link: Mornings on Main Link<https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83792327319?pwd=5dDiLoBqsGk2eTUEKWDI1demY1aqM6.1>, Password: 760959

Heritage Plan Public Comment, Deadline March 17 | Access Draft Plan Here<https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/OH/pages/tools.aspx#2026heritageplan>
Contribute comments to the newly drafted Oregon Heritage Plan which ultimately will help:

  *   Align the Heritage Commission's initiatives and technical assistance with helping heritage organizations working towards the identified goals.
  *   Provide a framework for statewide partners and service organizations to align their programs to help heritage organizations work towards these goals.
  *   Provide a framework and support for local heritage organizations in prioritizing and planning projects and processes and getting support from partners, stakeholders, grant makers, and decision makers.
To comment complete this form<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/S8LQCPV> or contact Katie Henry, Heritage Commission Coordinator (katie.henry at oprd.oregon.gov<mailto:katie.henry at oprd.oregon.gov>, 503-877-8834).

How To! Reporting Review | March 5, 11am-12pm
Join Cam for an open Q&A about quarterly reporting for the Main Street Track communities. Bring your specific questions for your reports or request a complete overview of how to do reporting. Access Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89823172691?pwd=z6VGOIh4A6K8qyATqrCL0lysa02z7t.1 Passcode: 221503
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
BOOMS Tracker Office Hours | Access Link<https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/21908054480936?p=m3uL9oGJQm9voaahNH>
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.

Main Street 250 | Explore the Map<https://map.proxi.co/r/dAGYgXyPQNY3S9EGV2PY>
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.
Submit Your Local Story | Add to the Main Street 250 Map<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
America 250 Oregon Commission Grants | Open 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. A third funding cycle will open on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 and will close April 3, 2026, or until all $50,000 in funds are expended. 50% dedicated to rural communities. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible projects 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.

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.

Oregon Heritage Grants Open Now! | Access Link<http://oregon.gov/oprd/oh/pages/grants.aspx>
Many of Oregon Heritage's grants are open now. This includes the Diamonds in the Rough, Historic Cemeteries, Oregon Museum Grant, Preserving Oregon Grant. To see all grants, their requirements, and guidelines for submission of intent or application see the website above.

Kinsman Foundation | Access Link<https://kinsmanfoundation.org/historic-preservation/>
Historic Preservation grants over $5,000 that align with Kinsman Foundation values<https://kinsmanfoundation.org/applying-for-a-grant/>. Grants close August 1, 2026.

Brownsfields Properties Revitalization Fund | Learn More <https://www.oregon.gov/biz/programs/Brownfields_Properties_Revitalization_Fund/Pages/default.aspx>
A forgivable loan program through Business Oregon designed to reimburse private owners or operatores for 50% of eligible costs of brownfield remediation up to $250,000. This is an application-based program with final determination on eligibility decided by the Oregon Business Development Department.

Learning Opportunities
R&D Resource Share | Michigan Main Street Resource Hub<https://www.miplace.org/programs/michigan-main-street/resources/>
While Oregon Main Street<https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/OH/Pages/OMSNetworkPortal.aspx> boasts a large number of resources, guides, studies, and more that are for you, we like to remind folks that a national network of resources exists. This week we're highlighting the open resource hub from Michigan Main Street. Here's just some of their Promotions resources:
Building an Image

  *   Community Storytelling Toolkit<https://www.miplace.org/link/a10945edf47041748313d74b6a06d3f8.aspx>
  *   Organization and Destination Marketing 101<https://www.miplace.org/link/fd06d2f29f444eb1a91a66baa351106c.aspx>
  *   Designing a Marketing Plan<https://www.miplace.org/link/d587f0759d564cb5b189b3c95f6002f1.aspx>
  *   A Look Inside a Branding Guide<https://www.miplace.org/link/6664e7f197874bcc9ed42adf1daa8f12.aspx>
  *   Guide for Social Media<https://www.miplace.org/link/4bdce17f622a49178a4c37d12921d18d.aspx>
  *   Guide for Websites<https://www.miplace.org/link/32ac5ca5e2284af2ae45a2939a41f5f3.aspx>
Advocating for Downtown

  *   Arranging a Site Visit with Elected Officials<https://www.miplace.org/link/4a3f74322d8a4fd0b031d1e67defe7c8.aspx>
  *   Advocacy for Main Street Leaders <https://www.miplace.org/link/f58b20bc275d412a80d6889f6e7df738.aspx>
  *   Tips for Inviting Legislators for Visits - Michigan Downtown Association <https://www.miplace.org/link/7d0c6f3b46f74c84aa3f1a3c5d3c7b99.aspx>
  *   Legislative Visit Guide - Michigan Main Street<https://www.miplace.org/link/20d8df7b085e4b87b10893444b273791.aspx>
Destination Marketing

  *   Best Practices for Downtown and District Directories<https://www.miplace.org/link/0dfaed12bf6c4271af3a9d26f848a23a.aspx>
  *   Creating Downtown and District Itineraries <https://www.miplace.org/link/bf7c04a5c06f4cbda8ce47db13d22c6a.aspx>

[cid:image001.png at 01DCA015.C4E45D10]

Cam Amabile, CIT & CIG<https://www.interpnet.com/NAI/interp/Certification/Certification/nai/_certification/Certification_Program_Page.aspx?hkey=238a449c-b3c6-4a93-9ebb-ebaeaef7e29a> (she, her, hers) |  Technical Resources Coordinator
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Oregon Heritage, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
schedule: Tuesday - Friday, 7A - 5:30P
cell: (971) 720-8998
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/> or LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/company/oregon-parks-and-recreation-department/>, Join the Oregon Heritage News e-news<https://omls.oregon.gov/mailman/listinfo/Heritage>.

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