A Call for Advocacy

In 2025 the Oregon Legislature opted to no longer financially support the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant. This decision cut off millions of dollars to historic rural communities and their efforts to improve historic preservation and downtown economic vitality.

It was out of this decision that a group of Main Street leadership called for a need for better advocacy for our program. Among other needs, a primary objective of Historic Downtowns of Oregon is to help restore state funding for the OMS Revitalization Grant.

In spite of the incredible success, Oregon Main Street programs are more vulnerable than ever due to a lack of a variety of resources including technical assistance and funding. The beating heart of OMS was the Main Street Revitalization Grant. A grant that was funded by the Oregon legislature through Oregon lottery bonds.

In 5 grant cycles, this program facilitated the investment of $62.5 million into downtown revitalization projects within historic communities across the state of Oregon. $37.5 million of that investment came from matching funds. While Main Street programs serve many different sized communities around Oregon, 87% of these grants were awarded to communities with a population under 30,000 outside the Portland Metro Area.

In 2025 the Oregon state legislature opted to no longer support this sound investment into the long term future of some of our most vulnerable communities. Unfortunately, we lost the grant program and along with it, the ability to continue our work of restoring some of Oregon’s most valuable properties. Projects that were grant ready for 2027 are now sitting empty and continue to decay without access to this funding.

While this was a great loss, the network continues to grow and as of 2026 has expanded to 125 communities across the state of Oregon. Historic Downtowns of Oregon will be here to support all efforts of these programs including the reestablishment of this important funding source for revitalizing historic properties.

Click here for more information on the OMS Revitalization Grant 
Data provided by Oregon Main Street - a division of Oregon Heritage within Oregon Parks and Recreation. For more information contact Kuri Gill at kuri.gill@oprd.oregon.gov

The Oregon Main Street (OMS) network drives innovative economic growth as well as cultural and historic preservation by revitalizing our state’s historic downtown communities.

Despite facing critical funding shortages and a demand for technical support, the Oregon network of Main Street programs remain vital community anchors. Historic Downtowns of Oregon (HDO) is hoping to unite our network through strategic external partnerships, robust program support, and legislative advocacy.

Historic Downtowns of Oregon champions the long-term resilience of the Oregon Main Street network. By providing essential technical assistance, driving political advocacy, and promoting local success, we ensure Oregon’s historic communities remain connected and well resourced.

Historic Downtowns of Oregon is currently applying for federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and filing a 501(h) election.

Champion state-level policy and secure sustainable funding, with a primary focus on securing state funding including, but not limited to reestablishing the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant.

Establish a dedicated public policy committee to lead these advocacy efforts.

Legislative Advocacy

Form an Advisory Council comprised of seasoned Main Street directors and cross-sector experts to deliver both state wide and region-specific support.

Build a long-term educational ecosystem featuring specialized program services, tutorials, and workshops

Education

Amplify the collective impact of the Oregon Main Street Network.

Upgrade statewide communication strategies, media relations, and collateral to demonstrate the economic and cultural value of downtown revitalization.

Statewide Promotion