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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Sheri, Thanks for sharing the Business Oregon updates.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">I was able to attend the Business Incentives Regional Workshop and was pleased to see that Main Street and the important role of local Main Street programs came up several times during our conversation. I
would encourage any of you in the Portland Metro area or mid-Willamette Valley to consider attending the September 22 and 23 meetings. This is a great opportunity to showcase the Economic Vitality work that you do and potential Busienss Oregon incentives
that could scale appropriately for Main Street businesses and development projects.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Business Incentives Regional Workshops<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Join Business Oregon for a Workshop to help shape the new Statewide Economic<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Development Strategy, provide feedback on Oregon’s current Business Incentive<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Programs and suggest new Business Incentives for the 2027 Legislative Session.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">o September 18, 1-4 pm: Virtual<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">o September 22: Portland<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">o September 23: Albany<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">o October 27-29: Oregon Economic Development Association Conference session<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">to share findings and gather additional input<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">RSVP to Attend – <a href="https://biznews.oregon.gov/acton/fs/blocks/showLandingPage/a/14786/p/p-012a/t/page/fm/0">
Click here</a> to register.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Questions? Contact your <a href="https://www.oregon.gov/biz/aboutus/regions/Pages/default.aspx">
Business Oregon Regional Development Officer</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#000099;mso-ligatures:none">Timothy Bishop, CMSM<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#000099;mso-ligatures:none">Economic Development Director
</span></i></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">City of La Grande – Economic Development Department
</span></i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">P.O. Box 670 / 1000 Adams Avenue</span></i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">La Grande, OR 97850<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="mailto:tbishop@cityoflagrande.org"><span style="color:#0563C1">tbishop@cityoflagrande.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Office: 541-962-1308<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">Cell: 541-962-5994<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Fax: 541-963-3333<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Web
<a href="http://www.lagrandeed.com/"><span style="color:#0563C1">www.lagrandeed.com</span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"> OMS_MANAGERS <oms_managers-bounces@omls.oregon.gov>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>STUART Sheri * OPRD<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, August 26, 2025 4:10 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Oregon Main Street Network Members <oms_managers@omls.oregon.gov><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [OMS_MANAGERS] Updates from Business Oregon: ROI grant open; Regional Workshops invite feedback on Business Incentives<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#002244;background:red;mso-ligatures:none">STOP and VERIFY - This message came from
<b><u>outside</u></b> of the City of La Grande.</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#002244;mso-ligatures:none">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Business Oregon Grant Program to Support Rural Communities – Apply by Sept. 22nd<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Business Oregon is pleased to announce a Request for Grant Applications (RFGA) for the<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">2025-2027 Rural Opportunity Initiative (ROI) Grant Program. ROI is an investment in the<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">vision and aptitude of rural communities and aligns with Business Oregon’s strategic plan to<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">grow local businesses, cultivate rural economic stability, and champion opportunities for<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">underrepresented Oregonians. The Oregon Legislature has allocated approximately $2.1<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">million to the ROI Grant Program for the current biennium.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The ROI Grant Program focuses on empowering rural communities to support<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">entrepreneurs and small business growth through the cultivation of strong entrepreneurial<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">ecosystems. At its core, ROI is designed to create an economy that works for all Oregonians.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">It is inclusive and community-driven, empowering local leaders to implement collaborative<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">strategies that elevate the role of entrepreneurship in rural economic development,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">enabling entrepreneurs to create place-based enterprises that boost local economies.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Small businesses and entrepreneurs drive rural economies and are a major source of<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">opportunity for growth. In addition to supporting entrepreneurship and small business<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">growth, the ROI Grant Program’s emphasis on cultivating a healthy ecosystem helps build<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">resiliency and makes businesses more likely to survive a crisis by having access to a full<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">complement of resources. By focusing on ecosystem development, the ROI Grant Program<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">helps entrepreneurs thrive in the good times and recover after disruptions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">In lieu of a “one size fits all” approach with specific objectives to which each community<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">must align, the program reflects community priorities and acknowledges that the best<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">people to determine the right approach for a community are the residents themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">This RFGA is expected to result in the selection of a cohort of ROI grant recipient<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">communities for the 2025-2027 biennium. In addition to grant funding for their projects,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">ROI grant recipients will have access to a consultant to help augment local capacity and<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">engage in peer learning opportunities with other ROI grant recipients. Grant recipients will<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">have until June 30, 2027, to implement their projects.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">This RFGA will close on Monday, September 22, 2025. A virtual information session for<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">interested applicants will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
<a href="https://oregon4biz.zoom.us/meeting/register/GPR5ok8aSoiCdo25ei1-rw#/registration">
Click</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="https://oregon4biz.zoom.us/meeting/register/GPR5ok8aSoiCdo25ei1-rw#/registration">here</a></span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> to register. An evaluation committee
comprised of internal and external stakeholders</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">will review applications and make funding recommendations with Notices of Intent to<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Award expected by mid-November, 2025. For more information on Business Oregon’s ROI<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Grant Program, visit <a href="https://www.oregon.gov/biz/">
https://www.oregon.gov/biz/</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Business Incentives Regional Workshops<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Join Business Oregon for a Workshop to help shape the new Statewide Economic<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Development Strategy, provide feedback on Oregon’s current Business Incentive<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Programs and suggest new Business Incentives for the 2027 Legislative Session.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">o September 18, 1-4 pm: Virtual<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">o September 22: Portland<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">o September 23: Albany<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">o October 27-29: Oregon Economic Development Association Conference session<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">to share findings and gather additional input<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">RSVP to Attend – <a href="https://biznews.oregon.gov/acton/fs/blocks/showLandingPage/a/14786/p/p-012a/t/page/fm/0">
Click here</a> to register.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Questions? Contact your <a href="https://www.oregon.gov/biz/aboutus/regions/Pages/default.aspx">
Business Oregon Regional Development Officer</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:7.0pt;color:#4F6228;letter-spacing:2.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#4F6228">Sheri Stuart
</span></b><b><span style="font-size:8.0pt;color:#4F6228">(she, her, hers) </span>
</b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:gray">| Oregon Main Street Coordinator</span><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#4F6228"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:3.0pt;color:#A6A6A6">___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:gray">Oregon Heritage, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:gray">Cell: (503)551-3705<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:gray">725 Summer St NE, Ste C<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:gray">Salem, Oregon 97301<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:gray">Visit our <a href="http://www.oregonheritage.org/">
<span style="color:blue">website</span></a>, Like us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OregonHeritage">
<span style="color:blue">Facebook</span></a>, Visit our <a href="http://oregonheritage.wordpress.com/">
<span style="color:blue">Blog</span></a>, Join the Oregon Heritage News <a href="https://omls.oregon.gov/mailman/listinfo/Heritage">
<span style="color:#0563C1">e-news</span></a> Check our</span><span style="color:black">
</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;color:#333333"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/oregon-parks-and-recreation-department/"><span style="color:#23527C">LinkedIn</span></a></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;color:gray">.</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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