Tourism grants

available

Visit Central Oregon’s Future Fund grant program is accepting applications through 5 p.m. Friday, according to the travel marketing group.

The Future Fund will award $280,000 in grants to community groups that support tourism related projects. The goal is to create, protect and preserve tourist attractions using Oregon hotel taxes.

Applications should address at least one program pillar, according to the destination marketing group. The pillars are sustainability, culture and access.

So far $1.3 million in grants have been awarded to 27 groups that include the DarkSky Oregon and the Central Oregon Trail Alliance for its Cline Butte Mountain Bike enhancement project.

Awards will be announced April 4. For more information go to visitcentraloreogn.com/future-fund.

Trump rolls out

reciprocal tariffs

President Donald Trump on Thursday rolled out his plan to increase U.S. tariffs to match the tax rates that other countries charge on imports, possibly triggering a broader economic confrontation with allies and rivals alike as he hopes to eliminate any trade imbalances. “I’ve decided for purposes of fairness that I will charge a reciprocal tariff,” Trump said in the Oval Office at the proclamation signing.

“It’s fair to all. No other country can complain.” Trump’s Republican administration has insisted that its new tariffs would equalize the ability of U.S. and foreign manufacturers to compete, though under current law these new taxes would likely be paid by American consumers and businesses either directly or in the form of higher prices. The rates to be charged would be studied over the weeks ahead, which could create the potential space to resolve challenges or prolong a degree of suspense and uncertainty.

EPA chief seeks

return of grants 

In a major reversal, the new head of the Environmental Protection Agency says he’ll try to rescind $20 billion in grants awarded by the Biden administration for climate and clean-energy projects. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says the agency will revoke contracts for a “green bank” that is set to fund thousands of projects to fight climate change and promote environmental justice. The program was approved by Democrats under President Joe Biden’s signature climate law. Republicans in Congress have called the green bank a “slush fund” and voiced concern over how the money will be used.

— Bulletin staff and wire reports