Given the significant projected revenue shortfalls associated with the impacts from the COVID-19 crisis, the Ashland City Council approved a modified resolution at its May 19, 2020 Council Meeting. This resolution removed the categories of Economic, Cultural, and Sustainability from the ECTS grants program. In doing so, the $150,000 in unrestricted TOT revenues are no longer committed to the Economic, Cultural, Tourism and Sustainability Grants and will be utilized for other purposes within the City. The original amount of $80,000 for tourism funds will still be available for tourism only related activities starting in Fall 2020 for the 2020-21 grant cycle.
We regret the further impacts that this may have on organizations but hope there will be understanding as to the reasons for this.
A new application will be required to be submitted for the tourism allocation and will be like the application that organizations may have previously filled out. This application will be due by July 8, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. The application will be available June 24, 2020 by going to ashland.or.us/engage and clicking on the 2020 Tourism Grant topic. As many of the application requirements are the same as the previous application, we are not requiring those who previously applied to refill those parts of the application out. The application will also be opened to any organization that did not apply for tourism funds the first time. Please note that you are still required to be registered as a 501(c)(3) and to fill out the full application if you did not apply prior to May 4, 2020.
As a reminder the City of Ashland is requiring that each application either new or those being updated have a focus on tourism only. Our current tourism policy states that for tourism funds, an organization needs to show that you are marketing to and attracting customers and/or visitors at the event or program from more than 50 miles away and that that would result in an overnight stay. A copy of the current grant policy is available on our website. This document outlines what tourism is defined as. We would also reference you to ORS 320.300 that gives the state definition of tourism, which the City abides by.
Additionally, the City was granted matching funds from the Oregon Business Development Department (Business Oregon) to facilitate a COVID-19 Emergency Business Grant program with $140,000 available for small businesses and non-profits. These funds are intended to focus on recovery of business operations and have specific requirements. Additional information on these funds can be found on our website at: ashland.or.us/covid19grant. These funds require a separate application that can be found on our website, please be sure to read over the entire application and follow the instructions as the requirements are specific.
The Committee reviewing these applications will be meeting in late July at a to be determined time. Information regarding these meetings will be mailed to applicants after the applications are received. As with the previous application the details below will still apply to this updated application: The application will only be available on our website through an online portal. Please see the link above.
As this is a new application format for applicants, please contact us ahead of the deadline with any questions or issues, as there will be no exceptions to the deadline. No paper copy applications will be accepted. Please be sure to carefully review the application for instructions and be as specific and complete as possible as you complete the application.
All applications must be complete when submitted through the portal and additional documents must have been submitted via email or paper copy delivery and have met the submittal deadline to be considered. No exceptions will be considered.
Please feel free to reach out to Natalie Thomason at 541-552-2012 or by email at natalie.thomason@ashland.or.us if you have any questions.
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