The historic Egyptian Theatre on the Oregon Coast in Coos Bay is being preserved and renovated with the help of a nearly $38,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development announced State Director Vicki Walker today.
“In small towns, a facility like the Egyptian Theatre acts as a center of community life, offering space for educational and community events, serving as a destination for tourists, and helping to maintain the vibrancy of the downtown area,” Walker said. “USDA is proud to help modernize this historic facility, enabling it to continue operation for years to come.”
Built in 1925, the Egyptian Theatre remains the largest movie house of its kind on the Oregon Coast and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built during the height of the Egyptian Revival style, it is one of only two such theatres remaining on the West Coast, and the only one that is still largely intact as originally designed.
With the grant provided through USDA’s Community Facilities Program, the Egyptian Theatre Preservation Association will upgrade the theatre’s video and audio systems to industry standards, install commercial-grade equipment, and incorporate automation for curtains and lighting. In addition, the grant will be used for electrical installation, training, and on-site support. The funding is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the grant agreement.
Overall, the renovation of this historic theatre will preserve it as a performing arts and entertainment center, improving the economic vitality and quality of life in this rural community.
Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested $11 billion to start or expand 103,000 rural businesses; help 1.1 million rural residents buy homes; fund nearly 7,000 community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care facilities; finance 180,000 miles of electric transmission and distribution lines; and help bring high-speed Internet access to nearly 6 million rural residents and businesses. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/results.