The Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District is a recipient of a $9,000 grant to purchase and install three weatherproof lockers specifically designed to store a beach wheelchair. The grant is awarded by the Travel Oregon Competitive Small Grant program. Seaside is among four coastal towns with free wheelchair access for visitors.

The program offers wheelchairs to the disabled at no cost through the Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District.

Among other awards, historic theater renovations, mountain bike trail development and increased signage received awards of almost $350,000 in matching grants from Travel Oregon. Grants fund organizations around the state to enhance, expand and promote the visitor industry.

The competitive grants program awards eligible applicants funding for projects that contribute to Oregon’s tourism economy in communities throughout the state that support Travel Oregon’s vision of a better life for Oregonians through strong, sustainable local economies. Over the past decade, more than $4.8 million have been awarded to 150 projects across the state through Travel Oregon’s grant program.