Coos County

An Economic Boost for Coos Bay

For more than 100 years, generations of Oregon families have relied on Coos Bay’s maritime and rail commerce to make their living. Lottery dollars are helping renew the rail system in southern Oregon, creating jobs and sparking life back into this once-neglected resource.

Coos Bay Rail Line

Local Economies on the Brink

Back in the 1800s, logging trains along the Southern Oregon coast worked near remote forests, bringing logs into rivers and over to the harbor in Coos Bay. The trains also moved coal from local mines to sailing and steamer ships bound for San Francisco. The Coos Bay Rail Line was built to span from Coquille to Eugene, delivering goods up and down the 134-mile stretch of track.

But as coal and timber dwindled, activity on the rail lines slowed and the Coos Bay Rail Line deteriorated. In 2007, the line was abandoned. The immediate impact on Southern Oregon counties was severe.

Community Renewal

So Oregonians in this area did what they do best: come together. The local community approached the Port of Coos Bay about buying and operating the rail line. The port agreed and with help from an Oregon Lottery funded grant, a series of nine tunnels along the tracks were repaired. The tunnels are vital to keeping the tracks open so the line could run trains once again.

A Vital Link Restored

Restoration of the tunnels are complete and trains from the Coos Bay Rail Line once again serve Coos, Douglas and Lane counties, boosting the economic success of the area. This vibrant and renewed rail supports 10 shippers and 1000 family wage jobs. But the ripple effect includes jobs for local vendors, contractors and companies from Oregon.

As Oregon’s economy grows, ebbs and changes – southwest Oregon’s regional prosperity continues to depend on the port and rail line. Lottery dollars are helping keep these jobs in rural Oregon and creating new opportunities in the national and international marketplace.

Thanks to Connect Oregon and Oregon Lottery providing the funds, we have been able match the federal government’s grants. We’ve been able to conduct these major projects that otherwise would never have happened.

— John Burns, CEO, Oregon International Port of Coos Bay

Featured Projects

State Parks

Champoeg State Heritage Area

The Cradle of Oregon Statehood

Public Schools

Oregon’s Teacher of the Year 2024

Mandy Vance creates academic success, a culture of kindness and inspires the next generation of teachers in and beyond Sandy Oregon.

Public Schools

Oregon Teacher of the Year

Saying thank you to Oregon’s amazing teachers.

A display of vegetables at a farmers' market.

Economic Growth

A Developing Food Network in SW Oregon

Building strong businesses in small-town Oregon

State Parks

Santiam Pass Ski Lodge

A National Register of Historic Places site.

Economic Growth

The Oregon Garden

A Pacific Northwest botanical paradise

List View of All Projects

Featured Projects

State Parks

Champoeg State Heritage Area

The Cradle of Oregon Statehood

Public Schools

Oregon’s Teacher of the Year 2024

Mandy Vance creates academic success, a culture of kindness and inspires the next generation of teachers in and beyond Sandy Oregon.

Public Schools

Oregon Teacher of the Year

Saying thank you to Oregon’s amazing teachers.

Economic Growth

A Developing Food Network in SW Oregon

Building strong businesses in small-town Oregon

State Parks

Santiam Pass Ski Lodge

A National Register of Historic Places site.

Economic Growth

The Oregon Garden

A Pacific Northwest botanical paradise

LIST VIEW OF ALL PROJECTS

LOTTERY DOLLARS DOING GOOD THINGS IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Economic Growth

Fueling business, jobs and infrastructure

State Parks

Maintaining and creating Oregon’s beautiful parks

Outdoor School

Exposing 5th & 6th grade students to Oregon’s natural classrooms

Natural Habitats

Enhancing watersheds, irrigation and wildlife habitats

Public Schools

Investing in Oregon’s future, from K through 12 and beyond

veteran smiling as parade comes by and American flag flies

Veteran Services

Supporting programs that give back to our valued Veterans

Featured Games

Scratch-Its

If Wishes Were Fishes

As the old saying goes, “If wishes were fishes, we’d all swim in riches” and really that’s what a few dollars spent on a Scratch-it is: a small wish. For just $2 you can see your lottery wish come true as you uncover the bubbly seabed to reveal prize fishes. The more fish you find, the more you win, all the way up to a $10,000 top prize! You won’t need a fishing pole to catch these fish, but you will need an If Wishes Were Fishes ticket — and those are easy to catch at a store near you.

Video Lottery

Monopoly Jackpot Station

Mr. Monopoly is Back!

Scratch-Its

Did I Win?

Get ready for the ultimate thrill with “Did I Win?” — the lottery Scratch-it that turns anticipation into pure excitement! For just a dollar, you could unlock the mystery and reveal a win of up to $2,000! Take a chance on “Did I Win?” and let the thrill of scratching bring you closer to the even bigger thrill of a jackpot win! Grab yours today at your favorite Lottery retailer and discover if the fun is about to skyrocket.

Scratch-Its

$50 or $100 Classic

Who wants a shot at turning $10 into a really nice dinner for one or maybe even two? Say goodbye to pocket change because this amazing royal blue and gold Scratch-it is here to dazzle you with not just one, but 25 chances to win $50 or even $100! Grab your very own $50 or $100 Classic Scratch-it and go for gold!

Scratch-Its

Lucky Spot

Forget about kissing frogs or wishing on shooting stars – this good-luck Scratch-it is your ticket to a fortune that sparkles with possibilities. For just $5, you could uncover a chance at the sky-high top prize of $50,000! Feel the excitement as you scratch away the mundane and reveal the extraordinary. Lucky Spot is not just a game; it’s a lucky-charm escapade, waiting to transform your day into a Scratch-it adventure. Dive into the glittering allure of Lucky Spot today at your favorite Lottery retailer and let the scratching saga begin!

Scratch-Its

Sky High Crossword

Hot air balloon pilots need to beware of crosswinds, but not crosswords! In fact, there is no better vantage point for surveying a crossword game than from the cozy, elevated basket of a hot air balloon. Climb aboard Sky High Crossword and join us for a scenic crossword flight that’s second to none! Our inaugural $20 crossword Scratch-it could see you flying to unprecedented heights, including the highest top prize ever offered on an Oregon Lottery crossword: $175,000! You’ll find yourself drifting over not one, not two, but three crossword “fields,” each ready to play for a chance to win. Uncovering a single word in the bonus area could net a win too. And if you happen to come down with an unexpected muddy landing, no worries! Go ahead and enter any non-winning Sky High Scratch-its in Second Chance for another shot at that Sky High top prize!

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