Tourism Small Business & Entrepreneur Acceleration Grant

The Tourism Small Business & Entrepreneur Acceleration Grant is administered by the Clackamas County Office of Economic Development in partnership with the Office of Tourism and the Tourism Development Council. The program is funded through Transient Lodging Tax revenues, which are dedicated to strengthening the tourism economy and enhancing quality of life for residents. This initiative aligns with the county’s Tourism Master Plan and is designed to support small and early-stage tourism businesses that contribute to visitor experiences and economic activity within Clackamas County. The primary purpose of this grant program is to accelerate sustainable growth for tourism-related businesses by funding projects that enable scaling, improve visitor accessibility, and enhance the overall tourism experience. Eligible project types include capital investments such as equipment or software purchases, physical improvements such as property upgrades or expansion, and workforce development efforts including staff training or hiring. All funded projects must demonstrate a clear benefit to visitors, either by improving accessibility or enhancing the quality of the tourism offering. Funding for this program totals 500000 dollars for the current cycle, with individual awards capped at 100000 dollars and no stated minimum award amount. Projects must include a matching contribution of at least 25 percent of the total project cost, which may be sourced from business funds, loans, investor commitments, or other grants. Grant funds cannot be used for indirect costs, repayment of existing debt, or general operating expenses such as ongoing wages, except for training-related labor costs tied directly to the project. Eligibility is limited strictly to tourism-related businesses operating within Clackamas County. Applicants must either be established small businesses with at least two years of registration and ten or fewer employees, or early-stage ventures with fewer than three years of registration and three or fewer employees. Nonprofits, government entities, and most franchises are ineligible, except for lodging-related franchises. Businesses must also be compliant with local regulations, have active registration with the Oregon Secretary of State, and be current on taxes or operating under an approved payment plan. Applications must be submitted electronically through the official web form during the open period, which runs from May 14, 2026 through June 18, 2026. Applicants are required to complete eligibility screening, provide detailed business and project information, upload a budget template in Excel format, and submit proof of matching funds. The process also includes legal attestations confirming the accuracy and completeness of the application. Applications are evaluated competitively by a review committee composed of county staff and tourism council representatives. Scoring criteria include tourism impact, project feasibility, economic development impact, funding need, and strength of matching funds. Funding decisions are finalized by July 2026, with award notifications delivered via email. Selected applicants will enter into grant agreements and negotiate reporting requirements, while alternates may be considered if initial awardees are unable to finalize agreements. The anticipated grant performance period is approximately 18 to 24 months beginning in Fall 2026, although some projects may extend longer depending on scope. Reporting requirements will be tailored to each project to ensure proper use of funds and completion of objectives. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact the program via email at 4biz@clackamas.us or by phone at (503) 742-4249.

Emphasize tourism impact and visitor experience improvements; clearly demonstrate feasibility and readiness; provide strong proof of matching funds; align project with economic development goals