Museum grant request tabled

Cascade Locks Historical Museum Director Janice Crane said the museum decided to pursue the grant request after the port opened a request for grant applications.

Tuesday’s grant request to the port commission, Crane said, is one of many that she makes.

The Port of Cascade Locks began providing grant resources to the museum in Fiscal Year 2018-19. That initial support started at $1,500. However, the amounts grew: Fiscal Year 2019-20, $67,500; Fiscal Year 2020-21, $35,000; Fiscal Year 2021-22, $20,000 plus $7,100 cruise ship passenger fees; and Fiscal Year 2022-23, $29,000.

The museum generates revenues from ticket sales, events and donations. The Friends of the Cascade Locks Historical Museum, a 501c3 non-profit organization, governs the museum. About 42% of the museum’s Fiscal Year 2022-23 revenue came from sources outside of Cascade Locks, according to the report Crane provided to the port commission.

Port of Cascade Locks provides community grants from its community services budget. Port General Manager Jeremiah Blue said the budget funds events and programs such as community fireworks. Additionally, the port recently awarded $5,000 to the Hood River County Energy Council. Those funds came from the community services budget.

He expressed concern that funding the museum’s request in full could mean less money for fireworks. He said an option was to grant $20,000. That would leave money for fireworks.

While commissioners opted to table the decision until their next meeting, commissioners expressed their support for the museum.

“I love the museum, and I love that it is part of the community,” Commissioner Carrie Klute said. “It’s a gem in our community.”