U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.2 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Boost Tourism by Making Recreational Infrastructure Improvements in Portland, Oregon

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.2 million grant to the city of Portland, Oregon, to support the recovery of the tourism sector through recreational infrastructure improvements and beautification. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This grant will support refurbishment of O’Bryant Square park, including demolition of an existing underground parking structure that has made the park unusable, and design and construction of an adjacent, mixed-use urban trail. The EDA investment will be matched with $302,400 in local funds and is expected to help create or retain 290 jobs and generate in $1.9 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden recognizes the vital contribution the travel and tourism industry makes to the American economy,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment in Portland will help the city’s tourism sector recover from the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and build back stronger for the future.”

“The Economic Development Administration is dedicated to working with communities to support their locally-driven strategies to recover and rebuild from the pandemic,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will develop new green space and recreational amenities in downtown Portland, making the area more attractive to visitors.”

“A welcoming downtown is crucial to quality of life in Portland, and reimagining O’Bryant Square as a community-friendly space plays a key role in my hometown’s park system,” said Senator Ron Wyden. “I’m happy to have teamed up with local officials to secure this vital federal investment for O’Bryant Square from the American Rescue Plan I worked to make into law.”

“A strong recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic includes making community improvements that will make a lasting impact,” said Senator Jeff Merkley. “With these EDA funds from the American Rescue Plan, O’Bryant Square Park will be transformed, including the construction of a mixed use trail in Downtown Portland that will create dozens of good-paying jobs as well as create a safe and usable community space. This funding to reopen the park is a win for both locals and visitors alike.”

“I deeply appreciate the Biden Administration’s support for the redevelopment of SW Portland’s O’Bryant Square,” said Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-03). “This project is a win for making Portland safer and more livable for people living and working downtown. It is part of the growing “Green Loop,” a 6-mile pedestrian corridor connecting people with the heart of the city. It will also support  small businesses which are still recovering from the pandemic. This grant ties the pieces together to accelerate downtown’s revitalization.”

This project is funded under EDA’s $240 million competitive American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program. EDA awarded $510 million in 2021 to all 50 states and territories. The two programs are designed to accelerate the recovery of communities that rely on the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sectors. Effective May 26, 2022, EDA has officially closed all of its American Rescue Plan programs for applications. The $3 billion program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.