Tourism Business Technical & Professional Services Fund

The Tourism Business Technical and Professional Services Fund is administered by the Clackamas County Office of Economic Development in partnership with the Clackamas County Office of Tourism and its Tourism Development Council. The program is funded through Transient Lodging Tax revenues, which are designated to support tourism promotion and development efforts that enhance the local economy and quality of life. This funding opportunity is designed to strengthen tourism-related businesses by supporting targeted technical and professional service projects that align with existing business strategies and contribute to long-term growth within Clackamas County. The primary purpose of this grant program is to provide financial assistance to tourism businesses seeking to overcome operational barriers, improve efficiency, or expand their offerings through specialized external services. Eligible projects must be time-bound and tied to a clearly defined scope of work delivered by a qualified vendor. Examples of supported services include accounting, marketing, engineering, information technology, supply chain improvements, and other professional consulting services. The program emphasizes projects that align with strategic priorities such as building local tourism value, fostering a thriving economy, supporting environmental sustainability, improving accessibility and inclusion, and managing visitor flow. Funding is available up to a maximum of 50000 dollars per individual award, with a total program allocation of 500000 dollars for the funding cycle. There is no minimum award amount, allowing smaller projects to compete. Applicants are required to provide a minimum match of 10 percent of the total project cost, meaning the grant can fund up to 90 percent of project expenses. Matching funds must be verified and may come from business cash, loans, investor commitments, or other grants designated for the same project. Indirect costs, staff wages, and debt repayment are not eligible uses of funds, and projects must represent new work rather than reimbursement for completed activities. Eligibility is limited to for-profit tourism businesses operating within Clackamas County. Applicants must have been registered and active in Oregon for at least five years and employ a minimum of ten W-2 employees. Businesses must demonstrate that they contribute to tourism by providing goods, services, or experiences that attract visitors traveling from at least 50 miles away. Nonprofit organizations, government entities, and most national franchises are ineligible, except for lodging-related franchises. Each business may submit only one application per cycle and cannot reapply in future cycles if awarded funding. The application process requires submission through an official online web form, as paper or email submissions are not accepted. Applicants must complete an eligibility screening, provide detailed business and project information, and submit required attachments including a project budget, proof of matching funds, a business or strategic plan, and a vendor proposal. The application also requires narrative responses addressing project goals, business impact, tourism impact, financial need, and alignment with strategic priorities. Applicants must sign attestations confirming the accuracy of their information and their authority to submit on behalf of the business. Applications are evaluated competitively by a review committee composed of county staff and Tourism Development Council representatives. Evaluation criteria include tourism impact of the business and project, economic development impact, alignment with program priorities, feasibility, demonstrated need, and strength of matching funds. Each criterion is weighted, with project alignment and tourism impact receiving the highest emphasis. Only complete and responsive applications that meet all eligibility requirements are scored. The application period opens on May 14, 2026 and closes on June 18, 2026. Applications are reviewed shortly after submission, with funding decisions expected by July 2026. Award notifications are sent via email, and selected applicants enter into a grant agreement process before funds are disbursed, which is anticipated in Fall 2026. The period of performance for funded projects is approximately 18 to 24 months from agreement execution. For questions or assistance, applicants may contact the program via email at 4biz@clackamas.us or by phone at (503) 742-4249.

Strong applications clearly demonstrate alignment with strategic priorities, provide detailed vendor-backed scopes of work, and show clear tourism and economic impact along with verified matching funds