12 regional tourism projects awarded grants by Visit Central Oregon, totaling $300k

SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) Visit Central Oregon has awarded $300,000 in grant money to 12 regional tourism projects through its Central Oregon Future Fund. This marks the fourth annual cycle of the program, which supports initiatives benefiting both residents and visitors across the region.

The grant program aims to foster tourism-related projects that align with its pillars of accessible adventure, cultural tourism and stewardship. The 12 recipients were selected from a total of 26 applications, which collectively requested more than $1 million in funding.

Visit Central Oregon selected the 12 recipients in cooperation with eight advisory grant reviewers. These reviewers included industry representatives from regional tourism and hospitality, media and publishing, outdoor recreation and Central Oregon's rural communities, including the Warm Springs Reservation and a community-based non-profit from the Warm Springs Reservation.

Of the 26 applications received, nine were for accessible adventure projects, 14 for cultural tourism projects and three for stewardship projects. The 12 selected recipients include five accessible adventure projects, six cultural tourism projects and one stewardship project.

The Jefferson County Event Complex will expand Cowdeo youth rodeo programming and enhance the Corwin Arena. These improvements aim to increase regional event capacity, improve visitor access and strengthen tourism-driven economic activity.

Wasco County Fairgrounds plans to enhance its facilities by procuring a mobile performance stage and completing lighting, accessibility and event-area improvements. This will expand tourism-driven concerts, festivals and regional community events.

The High Desert Food and Farm Alliance project expands the High Desert Food Trail. It includes the development of an Accessibility Edition, inclusive itineraries and a shoulder-season Accessible Travel Week. These efforts connect visitors of all abilities to Central Oregon farms, food and agritourism.

The Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory, also known as SNCO, will implement its Accessible Trails and Inclusive Interpretation Initiative. This combines ADA-accessible trails, multilingual and audio signage and a virtual walking tour. The initiative ensures visitors of all abilities can enjoy Central Oregon's natural beauty year-round.

Deschutes Land Trust's project improves visitor access to Metolius Preserve. It aims to create an inviting place to hike, roll and ride, increasing the inventory of accessible trails in the Sisters area for visitors of all abilities.

Sisters Trails Alliance's project aims to create the first fully verified accessible adventure trail system in Oregon. This involves rating all non-motorized trails, training volunteers and expanding adaptive recreation opportunities.

Sisters Trails Alliance Executive Director Stephanie Presley expressed gratitude for the support. “Sisters Trails Alliance believes everyone should have access to our beautiful outdoor spaces. We are so grateful for Visit Central Oregon's investment in our Accessible Trails Project, which will help us to assess and modify trails and infrastructure, expanding inclusive recreation for people of all ages and ability levels.”

Ballet Bend, the city's first professional ballet presenting organization, will use the funds to bring nationally and internationally recognized dance to Central Oregon.

BendFilm will utilize its grant to support the continued expansion of the BendFilm Festival, a five-day independent film event in October. The festival includes films, filmmaker Q&A sessions and community events.

Clay Pruitt, Managing Director of BendFilm, noted the impact on rural areas. “The Future Fund grant from Visit Central Oregon plays a direct role in helping BendFilm continue expanding access to film and storytelling in our rural communities. This support allows us to bring screenings, conversations and creative opportunities to audiences in Warm Springs and Madras, strengthening cultural connection across Central Oregon. We are grateful for this investment in both our work and the communities we serve.”

Oregon Adaptive Sports will deliver its signature adaptive outdoor programs through its All Access Adventure initiative. These programs are for more than 100 people with disabilities of all ages and their families, including specific programs for disabled veterans.

ThinkWild's project involves converting a gravel lot into an accessible pollinator garden and outdoor classroom. This space is intended for hands-on learning, community stewardship and connection to the Crooked River.

Hannah Wuerfel, Beaver Works Habitat Restoration Coordinator for ThinkWild, highlighted the project's community focus. “This funding is helping us take the project beyond a native plant garden and turn it into a true community space. By adding signage and places to sit and spend time, it will become a welcoming, educational spot along the Crooked River. It also supports hands-on learning, local students and volunteers won't just enjoy the space, they'll help build and care for it while learning how to be part of restoring the landscapes around them.”

ScaleHouse, a contemporary arts project, will feature two new exhibitions at Scalehouse Gallery in Bend. These exhibitions will invite visitors to explore identity, leadership and migration.

Wake Creative, Inc. is developing Sketch and Release, a touring multimedia production. This production celebrates Black Oregonians through film, performance, music and community dialogue, exploring identity and future-building across 12 rural and metro venues statewide.

Jason McNeal Graham, of Wake Creative, Inc., emphasized the grant's role in making the tour a reality. “As a Future Fund recipient, Sketch and Release Tour is able to move from concept to reality, bringing high-quality, Black-led multimedia storytelling to rural Central Oregon communities that are often overlooked. The support will not only amplify our capacity to tour and engage audiences across multiple counties, it also validates the importance of culturally responsive work and opens doors to new partnerships, future funding and long-term community impact.”

In addition to the Future Fund, Visit Central Oregon supports stewardship projects through the Central Oregon Destination Management Studio. This separate regional collaborative process includes more than $100,000 in support for stewardship initiatives, such as Dark Sky initiatives, a trails improvement project managed by the Deschutes Trails Coalition and the development of an arts and heritage program focused on Central Oregon's music culture.

Visit Central Oregon CEO Scott Larson underscored the long-term vision behind the grants. “By reinvesting tourism dollars directly into projects that protect our natural landscapes and enhance our Central Oregon community, we are ensuring that our destination remains strong for future generations of residents and visitors alike. Four years in and we are continuously proud to support local projects and initiatives that foster accessibility, diversity and sustainability.”

Oregon Adaptive Sports will deliver its adaptive outdoor programs from September 2026 through May 2027.