Small town of Antelope gets a boost from Visit Central Oregon’s Future Fund

(Update: Adding video, adding comments from grant recipient, Visit Central Oregon)

ANTELOPE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Antelope, located in North-Central Oregon, is one of Oregon's smallest communities. Resident Brandee McNamee says tourism is key to its economic growth.

"When you have a small community of only 37 people, the entire tax base of this whole town only brings in a little over $6,000." McNamee said Wednesday.

McNamee founded the Antelope 3 LLC project, aimed at creating a safe and inclusive stop for travelers passing through town.

This project was selected as one of the seven recipients of the Central Oregon Future Fund. The grant program will award a total of $280,000 to seven tourism-related projects this year.

Visit Central Oregon started the program a few years ago.

"We're able to leverage local roads and lodging tax dollars to fund projects that go back to the community in a way that benefits residents and that benefits visitors," said Visit Central Oregon President and CEO Scott Larson.

The grant money will fund the final phase of Antelope 3, adding four toilets, two showers and one outdoor shower in the Antelope Pavilion.

McNamee says the area originally offered only dry camping, but as more cyclists began passing through, she realized the facility needed an upgrade.

"Well, they're not going to want to do RV pads, right? They want a short-term stay overnight," McNamee said.

Visitation to Antelope has also grown since the area was designated as an International Dark Sky Community.

"I received a plethora of phone calls from folks that wanted to book, and I had to turn them away because I was like, 'Sorry, we don't have the amenities,'" McNamee said.

McNamee hopes improved amenities will attract more visitors, and maybe create some new jobs.

"Right now, Antelope doesn't have one 40-hour a week full-time job," he said. "So think if we create two jobs from this whole project, that's a 200% increase in job growth.

"Without outside funding, such as tourism, there is no economically sustainable business model that you're going to be able to do in a small town like this without it."

The 2025 Central Oregon Future Fund Grantees include:

Antelope 3, LLC – Antelope Pavilion, Final Phase: The Antelope Pavilion project will provide a safe and inclusive "stopping place" for travelers looking to use restrooms, refill on water, and relax while on their rural travels, especially for Antelope Dark Skies.

“The Future Fund strengthens rural communities like Antelope by supporting tourism and local businesses, helping build a more sustainable local economy,” said Brandie McNamee, founder of Antelope Market and RV Park.

“Without tourism, a small town like Antelope (population 37) has very little to leverage. Repurposing lodging tax revenue allows towns like ours to leverage even more: Antelope’s total tax base is just $6,038 in 2024, but if the Antelope Cabins generate $150,000 annually, a 5% lodging tax would bring in $7,500—more than our entire current tax base. It’s a way to recycle dollars today to grow even more tomorrow.”

Dirty Freehub – High Desert Gravel Guide: The High Desert Gravel Adventure Guide is a pocket-sized book featuring the best gravel cycling routes in Central Oregon. Featuring curated rides, local history, art, and cultural insights, it connects cyclists to the land and its communities.

“The High Desert Gravel Adventure Guide project is more than a collection of great bike rides—it's a bridge between visitors and the communities of Central Oregon,” said Kevin English, Director of Content & Technologies for Dirty Freehub, which is planning to publish its High Desert Gravel Guide in spring 2026.

“Thanks to support from the Visit Central Oregon Future Fund grant, we are creating a sustainable tourism asset that showcases our region’s stunning landscapes and cultural heritage and helps generate long-term economic benefits for rural towns like Maupin, Warm Springs, and Prineville. Visitors will connect with the land, spend where they ride, and leave with a deeper appreciation for the area’s stories and stewardship values.”

Explore Prineville – Golf “Fore” All: The Adaptive Golf Project: This will provide a Vertacat, an all-terrain adaptive golf cart, that Prineville’s local golf courses could provide for golfers—including both visitors to our community and locals—at no cost.

“We’re incredibly thankful to Visit Central Oregon’s Future Fund for helping us enhance accessibility and enjoyment at our local golf facilities,” said Kim Molnar, Director of Tourism at Explore Prineville. “Adding a stand-up golf cart will allow more people — including aging golfers and those with mobility challenges — to stay active and enjoy the game they love. It’s a fantastic example of how repurposed revenue from visitors can directly benefit both our community and our guests, making Prineville’s recreation offerings more inclusive and forward-thinking.”

Deschutes River Alliance – Troutfest 2025-Access Adventure Promotion: DRA will leverage Troutfest ‘25 to drive diverse and equitable tourism. This will include promotion beyond typical demographics, diverse instructors, and scholarships.

High Desert Museum – Our Place, Our Cultures: The High Desert Museum will launch a series of new exhibitions and programs that explore the unique landscapes of the High Desert through cultural, artistic, and scientific perspectives, driving broad audiences to Central Oregon.

Oregon Adaptive Sports – Access, Elevated: "Access, Elevated" develops opportunities for adaptive outdoor recreation in Central Oregon by extending ski seasons, creating fall biking programs, and launching an adaptive paddling program.

Tower Theatre Foundation – Enhanced ADA Accessibility at Tower Theatre: The Tower Theatre will replace a 20-year-old wheelchair lift for access to the stage from the auditorium and install a one-push automatic door at the ADA entrance on Wall Street, continuing the theatre’s long-standing commitment to accessibility.