As of March 1, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) has suspended several initiatives due to uncertainty surrounding federal funding. OMSI reports that approximately 20 federally funded projects are currently underway, each at different stages of completion. Although funding for these projects has already been approved, the museum is taking a step back.
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) has been a vital educational resource in the Portland area, known for its hands-on exhibits and programs that engage visitors in science and technology. The pause on several projects reflects the broader impact of federal funding uncertainties that many organizations are currently facing.
A reassessment of this pause is scheduled for March 14, coinciding with Congress’s consideration of a government funding bill and the expectation of more information. The suspension of federal funding is impacting institutions both locally and nationwide, including those that provide food assistance to communities facing food insecurity and those that support refugee resettlement, as highlighted by Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield during a recent address in Arizona.
The halt in funding is not just affecting OMSI but is part of a larger trend impacting various institutions that rely on federal grants. These institutions provide essential services, such as food distribution to vulnerable communities and support for refugee resettlement efforts. The implications of this funding uncertainty can have significant consequences for communities that depend on these services.
Last year, the Portland City Council unanimously approved funding for essential infrastructure aimed at making the future “OMSI District” a reality. This development will include 1,200 new housing units, with at least 20% set aside for low-income families, in addition to retail and educational spaces, along with a new waterfront park. A project dedicated to creating a hub for the urban Indigenous community and Native nations across the Pacific Northwest was also announced last fall.
