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Business Oregon Awards $1.9 Million to Support Rural Communities and Entrepreneurs
18 grant recipients will receive a total of $1,945,000 to help strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems in Oregon’s rural communities.
To support the development of entrepreneurial talent, successful enterprises, and resilient place-based economies in rural Oregon, Business Oregon has selected 18 applicants to receive $1,945,000 in grant funding from the Rural Opportunity Initiative (ROI) program. The ROI program is Business Oregon’s strategic effort to empower rural communities to support entrepreneurs and small business growth through financial support, network expansion, capacity support, and access to business development resources.
Small businesses and entrepreneurs drive rural economies and are a major source of opportunity and growth. The ROI program’s “whole community” approach helps entrepreneurs thrive in the good times and recover faster and more fully following disruptions. In lieu of a “one size fits all” approach, the ROI program reflects community priorities and acknowledges that the best people to determine the right approach for a community are the residents themselves.
“Greater prosperity and economic success are goals for every part of our state,” Governor Tina Kotek said. "The ROI program lends a hand to innovation and growth opportunities in our rural and frontier communities, getting us closer to our shared goals for our small businesses.”
The ROI program is an investment in the vision and leadership of rural communities and aligns with Business Oregon’s strategic plan to create economic opportunity, cultivate community and business growth, and reduce barriers to prosperity for all Oregonians. Awardees were selected after a competitive review process that evaluated applicants according to alignment with program intent, demonstrated need, project approach and anticipated impact, implementation plan, and budget.
“Oregon’s rural communities are rich with innovators whose ideas can spark lasting change,” said Sophorn Cheang, Director of Business Oregon. “The Rural Opportunity Initiative program is about fueling that creativity—providing the resources and connections entrepreneurs need to turn bold visions into thriving businesses. These grants reflect the creativity and resilience that make rural Oregon such a vital part of our state’s future.”
A full list of the 2025-27 ROI program grant recipients, along with brief project descriptions, is below.
A Greater Applegate – ROI funds will help to fully activate and systematically integrate all five Applegate Valley village hubs into a cohesive rural entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports local businesses with a particular emphasis on the food and farm system.
Bohemia Food Hub – ROI funds will allow BFH to leverage recent investments in its physical infrastructure to scale its impact by supporting a greater number and wider variety of food entrepreneurs in South Lane County.
Cave Junction Farmers Market – ROI funds will help launch entrepreneurial support for Cave Junction small businesses in alignment with a community visioning process that identified the importance of deepening partner relationships, expanding access to technical assistance, increasing market opportunities, and supporting youth entrepreneurship.
CCD Business Development – ROI funds will leverage CCD’s localized expertise and regional connections to support entrepreneurs and small businesses with access to communication networks, financial resources, and specialized business technical assistance.
Center for Rural Livelihoods – ROI funds will further develop and expand programming for rural land-based businesses by providing additional technical assistance and educational materials to improve farm and forestland viability, increase access to mentors and on-campus incubation, and promote an entrepreneurial culture in rural Lane County.
Columbia Economic Team – ROI funds will support organizational capacity to implement the priorities identified in Columbia County’s Economic Vision, including improving communication with businesses, mapping regulatory processes, and supporting downtown revitalization efforts.
Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln Co. – ROI funds will be used to scale ecosystem building efforts such as expanding proven programs and events, supporting creative economy entrepreneurs, enhancing access to resources, and sustaining core economic development services.
Friends of Family Farmers – ROI funds will facilitate and expand a system of programs and resources to assist farmer entrepreneurs in achieving the business planning and land security needed to start and expand farming operations in Oregon.
Heppner Community Foundation – ROI funds will expand entrepreneurship programming available at the Willow Street Arts and Business Innovation Hub, support retailers at the Market 87 mercantile, launch youth entrepreneurship courses, and target resources towards local food and beverage businesses.
High Desert Partnership – ROI funds will support the Harney County entrepreneurial ecosystem by aligning partners and priorities, expanding support for food and agriculture businesses, improving place-based branding, and strengthening HDP’s “idea to ownership” entrepreneur pipeline.
Klamath IDEA – ROI funds will expand youth entrepreneurship programming in partnership with the high school, increase the availability of resources and communication networks across the county, and build out and implement an ecosystem sustainability plan that includes establishing a bench of mentors and pitch coaches.
Mid-Columbia Economic Development District – ROI funds will be deployed to convene and connect rural and frontier entrepreneurs with resources and training, activate a local mentor network, host events and pitch competitions, and create a sustainability plan for long-term ecosystem viability.
McKenzie Community Land Trust – ROI funds support coordination and decision-making among local nonprofits and commercial lot owners in Blue River to help advance economic and community development, including supporting events and low-barrier retail opportunities like food trucks and pop-up markets.
NE Oregon Economic Development District – ROI funds will be used to enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem of NE Oregon by fostering stronger connections between entrepreneurs, partners, and resources, as well as supporting main street revitalization.
Newberry Regional Partnership – ROI funds will enable partners to conduct a comprehensive Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Assessment, working directly with local businesses and service providers to map existing assets and identify gaps that are hindering entrepreneurial success.
Oregon Frontier Chamber of Commerce – ROI funds will support the Rural Ambassador Program, broaden entrepreneurial learning opportunities by offering diverse workshops, technical assistance resources, and collaborative events, while expanding youth entrepreneurship pathways.
Nixyaawii Community Financial Services – ROI funds will support the creation of an integrated entrepreneurial ecosystem in Eastern Oregon that reduces barriers to capital, improves access to technical assistance and legal resources, and builds long-term business capacity.
Warm Springs Community Action Team – ROI funds will support the Commissary project, a flagship investment on the Warm Springs reservation, by providing staff capacity, training a cohort of launch-ready businesses, developing an entrepreneurial pipeline, and supporting a marketing and branding campaign to attract business, retail, and capital investments in support of the Tribal business ecosystem.
To learn more about the Rural Opportunity Initiative program, visit www.oregon/gov/biz.
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