18 grant recipients selected through Rural Opportunity Initiative to support small businesses and community-based economic development across Oregon
SALEM, Ore. – Business Oregon has awarded $1,945,000 in grant funding to 18 organizations through its Rural Opportunity Initiative (ROI) program, providing a major boost to rural entrepreneurs, small businesses, and place-based economic development efforts across the state.
The ROI program is Business Oregon’s strategic effort to empower rural communities to support entrepreneurs and small business growth through financial assistance, network expansion, capacity-building, and improved access to business development resources. By investing in community-led solutions, ROI is designed to help rural economies thrive during periods of growth and recover more quickly after economic disruptions.
“Greater prosperity and economic success are goals for every part of our state,” said Governor Tina Kotek. “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.”
Investing in Rural Innovation and Local Leadership
Small businesses and entrepreneurs serve as the backbone of rural economies, driving job creation, innovation, and long-term resilience. The ROI program uses a “whole community” approach that reflects local priorities and recognizes that the people who know best what a community needs are its residents.
“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.”
The ROI program aligns with Business Oregon’s strategic plan to:
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Create economic opportunity
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Cultivate community and business growth
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Reduce barriers to prosperity for all Oregonians
Grant recipients were selected through a competitive review process based on alignment with program intent, demonstrated need, project design and anticipated impact, implementation plan, and budget.
2025–27 Rural Opportunity Initiative Grant Recipients
The 18 organizations receiving ROI grants and their planned projects include:
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A Greater Applegate – ROI funds will help fully activate and integrate all five Applegate Valley village hubs into a cohesive rural entrepreneurial ecosystem, with a particular focus on supporting local food and farm businesses.
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Bohemia Food Hub – ROI funds will leverage recent investments in physical infrastructure to support a greater number and wider variety of food entrepreneurs in South Lane County.
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Cave Junction Farmers Market – ROI funds will launch entrepreneurial support for Cave Junction small businesses, deepening partner relationships, expanding access to technical assistance, increasing market opportunities, and supporting youth entrepreneurship.
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CCD Business Development – ROI funds will leverage CCD’s localized expertise and regional connections to provide entrepreneurs and small businesses with access to communication networks, financial resources, and specialized technical assistance.
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Center for Rural Livelihoods – ROI funds will expand programming for rural land-based businesses by providing additional technical assistance and educational materials, improving farm and forestland viability, increasing access to mentors and incubation, and promoting an entrepreneurial culture in rural Lane County.
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Columbia Economic Team – ROI funds will support organizational capacity to implement priorities from Columbia County’s Economic Vision, including improving communication with businesses, mapping regulatory processes, and advancing downtown revitalization.
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Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County – ROI funds will 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.
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Friends of Family Farmers – ROI funds will expand a system of programs and resources that help farmer-entrepreneurs with business planning and land security to start and grow farming operations across Oregon.
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Heppner Community Foundation – ROI funds will broaden entrepreneurship programming at the Willow Street Arts and Business Innovation Hub, support retailers at the Market 87 mercantile, launch youth entrepreneurship courses, and direct resources to local food and beverage businesses.
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High Desert Partnership – ROI funds will strengthen the Harney County entrepreneurial ecosystem by aligning partners and priorities, expanding support for food and agriculture businesses, improving place-based branding, and reinforcing the “idea to ownership” pipeline for entrepreneurs.
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Klamath IDEA – ROI funds will expand youth entrepreneurship programming in partnership with local schools, increase access to entrepreneurial resources and communication networks across the county, and develop an ecosystem sustainability plan that includes a strong bench of mentors and pitch coaches.
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Mid-Columbia Economic Development District – ROI funds will be used to convene and connect rural and frontier entrepreneurs with resources and training, activate a local mentor network, host events and pitch competitions, and build a plan for long-term ecosystem sustainability.
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McKenzie Community Land Trust – ROI funds will support coordination and decision-making among local nonprofits and commercial lot owners in Blue River to advance economic and community development, including events and low-barrier retail opportunities such as food trucks and pop-up markets.
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NE Oregon Economic Development District – ROI funds will enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Northeast Oregon by strengthening connections between entrepreneurs, partners, and resources, as well as supporting main street revitalization efforts.
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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 hinder entrepreneurial success.
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Oregon Frontier Chamber of Commerce – ROI funds will support the Rural Ambassador Program, expand entrepreneurial learning opportunities through workshops and technical assistance, foster collaborative events, and grow youth entrepreneurship pathways.
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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 strengthens long-term business capacity.
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Warm Springs Community Action Team – ROI funds will support the Commissary project, a flagship initiative 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 for the Tribal business ecosystem.
To learn more about the Rural Opportunity Initiative program, visit www.oregon.gov/biz.
Media Contact:
Amber Nabors
amber.nabors@biz.oregon.gov
