Oregon Frontier Chamber Wins $644k for Historic Preservation Projects in Condon and Antelope
Major historic preservation and economic development projects in Condon and Antelope are moving forward after the Oregon Frontier Chamber of Commerce received a total of $644,722 via the Oregon Main Street (OMS) Revitalization Grant.
The Greater Eastern Oregon Development Corporation (GEODC) funded and provided grant writing support and historic preservation expertise for these projects. The success of these grant applications is a result of the partnership between the Oregon Frontier Chamber and GEODC.
“Collaborative relationships like these are what make lasting economic change possible,” said Susan Christensen, the GEODC Executive Director. “Together, we are building more vibrant, resilient communities across Eastern Oregon.”
The first project, the Condon Round-Up building, is receiving $400,000 to repair the brick façade, rehabilitate the historic storefront, and implement major internal improvements. When complete, the building will boast a combination of upper floor housing and the reopening of the much-loved Condon Round-Up, which has been closed since 2021.
Nick Smith, who bought the building in 2024, emphasized the value of this grant award to address major safety and maintenance needs. “The building’s outdated systems require significant upgrades to meet current standards, and I am very much looking forward to the day it can once again serve the community.”
The second project, the Antelope Market, is receiving $244,722 to improve the building’s storefront, electrical system, plumbing and septic system, and ADA accessibility. The Antelope Market closed in 2017 and has been unable to reopen since then, partially due to pandemic challenges and funding shortalls. This recent grant funding is closing the gap, and so the Antelope Market will be able to reopen once again.
Brandie McNamee, the Antelope Market property owner since 2023, celebrated the grant award. “Restoring the historic Antelope Café as a convenience store market will be a true asset to our community,” she said. “More than a place to eat, it’s a gathering spot—a heartbeat of our town we’re proud to bring back.”
The OMS Revitalization Grant is a highly-competitive program in the State Historic Preservation Office. It’s intended to rehabilitate buildings in downtown areas statewide and facilitate ongoing community revitalization efforts. Applicants must be organizations that participate in the Oregon Main Street Network.
The Oregon Frontier Chamber became the first Regional Main Street organization in the state and provides downtown revitalization leadership for ten communities: Antelope, Arlington, Condon, Fossil, Grass Valley, Mitchell, Moro, Rufus, Spray, and Wasco.
The Oregon Frontier Chamber has a growing history with this grant program. In 2023, also in partnership with GEODC, the Oregon Frontier Chamber received $262,930 for the Lone Elk Marketplace in Spray and the Times-Journal building in Condon. And in 2022, it received $250,000 for the Spray General Store and the Moro Hotel.
Adding the 2025 awards brings the four-year total to $1,157,652 that has directly supported downtown revitalization projects in the Oregon Frontier Chamber’s service area.
To learn more about the Oregon Frontier Chamber of Commerce, visit https://oregonfrontierchamber.com/.
About the Oregon Frontier Chamber of Commerce
The Oregon Frontier Chamber of Commerce is the chamber of commerce for Gilliam, Sherman, and Wheeler County. It is the designated Regional Main Street program serving 10 communities within its service area.
