Gov. Kotek announces $10 million fund for rural Oregon infrastructure projects

OREGON (KTVZ) -- Gov. Tina Kotek announced today that applications have opened for a $10 million Regional Infrastructure Fund. The investment is designed to help small Oregon communities and tribes plan and build essential infrastructure projects to support economic growth.

The fund was established as part of House Bill 5204, a 2026 economic development package signed into law by Kotek in April. Business Oregon, the state's economic development agency, administers the program to address needs in rural and tribal areas.

The program is available to Oregon local governments and federally recognized tribes with populations under 25,000. Gov. Kotek said the fund is intended to support communities at various stages of development, from initial planning to active construction. “Infrastructure is where economic development begins,” Kotek said. “Communities have a tough time attracting new employers, building housing, or growing their main street businesses without reliable water, roads and sites ready for investment.”

Applicants can choose between two types of funding. Construction grants ranging from $100,000 to $1 million cover site acquisition, infrastructure construction and related improvements. Planning grants between $25,000 and $250,000 support land-use planning, engineering, feasibility studies and research for future projects.

Applications are evaluated based on project readiness and alignment with regional community and economic development priorities. These priorities are established by Regional Solutions Advisory Committees. Kotek noted the program aims to assist rural areas in reaching specific milestones. “The Regional Infrastructure Fund is designed to meet our small, rural and tribal communities where they are, whether that means supporting the engineering work that gets a project shovel ready or helping move construction forward,” Kotek said.

The application period closes Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. PDT. Applicants must submit questions by Sept. 2, with official responses expected by Sept. 9. An informational webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026 and the state anticipates issuing notices of award by Oct. 30, 2026.

Submit applications through the RIF portal at: www.oregon.gov/biz/programs/RIF/.