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Introducing The Chamber Board of Directors Pt. 1

By Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director

Over the next few months, I am going to be using this space to introduce our readers to the Chamber Board of Directors. Because, believe it or not, it’s not just myself, Sierra and Tammy running the show over here. As a non-profit, we have a hard-working and dedicated Board that brings a plethora of skills, expertise and passion to what we do. These 11 individuals come from all different backgrounds and represent a broad spectrum of our county – and together they understand the value of having a strong, thriving business community that enhances the livability for our residents and encourages visitors to enjoy our area.

Whitey Forsman

Whitey Forsman; Board Chair. Whitey has been serving on the Chamber Board for five years now, and is also the manager of Pacific Seafood in Bay City. Whitey joined our board to encourage an improved quality of life in Tillamook County by maintaining and improving our current businesses and striving to add new ones.

Whitey also brings a passion around partnering with other organizations in both Tillamook proper and the county. Yet perhaps one of the greatest assets that Whitey brings to our team is his ability to understand, project and improve finances. Since he joined the Chamber Board he has been instrumental in our ability to strengthen our financial stability, which increases our value as a community partner.

When asked how he would like to see the Chamber grow, he said “By continuing to strengthen our relationships with our members and adding new businesses.”

“It also gives me a positive outlook to have passionate, community-centered people serve with me on the board,” Whitey added. “We have also had the ability to move to the middle of downtown which gives us a strategic location to be part of the revitalization of our downtown.”

Kayla Seaholm

Kayla Seaholm; Vice Board Chair: This is Kayla’s second year on the Chamber Board. She is also the Commercial Lender for US Bank. When asked why she joined our Board, Kayla said, “I was new to Tillamook and I felt that joining such a reputable organization would be a great opportunity to get to know the community better.”

Kayla brings a great understanding of an emerging population of young professionals. Kayla moved to Tillamook from Newport a few years ago for her career, and has since purchased a home and got married just last month. She has a drive to make Tillamook a fun and desirable place to live and do business – which fits in perfectly with the personality of the Chamber and all of our team.

Kayla is a passionate advocate for Chamber members and continually brings new ideas and ways to build our community to the table. “The purchase of the new chamber office says a lot about the stability of the organization with being able to acquire such a large asset,” she said. “That stability really allows us to concentrate on building our community, rather than how to survive as an organization.”

Whitey and Kayla are two individuals who support the work we do and help keep the Chamber relevant in the community and sustainable for the future.  I look forward to introducing you to the rest of our Board in the coming months.

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Networking opportunity set for July 18

 

By Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director

Living in a small, rural community like Tillamook, the Chamber of Commerce – along with all our residents and business owners – faces both unique challenges and opportunities. One example is the increasing  number of small businesses and entrepreneurs in our area without a traditional brick and mortar building. We have a surprising number of freelance and independent contractors that offer valuable services while operating sometimes with just one person. These businesses – much like traditional small businesses – don’t always have access to the resources that large companies do, and survive based simply on their talent, the useful services they offer, and of course networking and mutual support from other small business and business owners.

One avenue of support that has sprouted in our community under the guidance of photographer and owner of Imago Dei Photography Xiomara Guard is our local chapter of the Rising Tide Society. This professional group gets together once a month for Tuesdays Together to discuss topics picked by the national organization and to learn from industry experts. Their goal is to emphasis collaboration over competition and encourage education and community support – because a rising tide lifts all boats. The Rising Tide Society believes there is no reason why each of our independent and creative businesses can’t be successful, and that success will come in the way of relationships and collaborations.

At the Chamber, we are partnering with the Rising Tide Society to offer a networking and social gathering on July 18th at 5:30 here at the Chamber office. This evening of learning and connecting is open to all business owners and independent contractors and is a way to learn more about the Rising Tide Society as well as the other services in our community. Come learn if this group is a good fit for you, and discover ways you can partner and grow in conjunction with other small businesses. If you’re already a member of the Rising Tide Society, consider this an opportunity to network and reach out to other businesses about your services and skills to see how you can help each other flourish. And of course since this is a Chamber-hosted event, it will be casual and fun.

That same day is our monthly Mornings on Mainstreet. These morning get togethers are drop in from 8-9 for our Chamber members to stay connected with one another and with the Chamber. It gives us face time to hear from our members and learn how we can continue to serve them and our community in the best way possible. This gathering is always the third Tuesday of every month, and as we’ve continued to host this quasi-membership meeting, we’ve been encouraged to see new members appearing every month to learn what is happening in the business community. Help us spread the word that this monthly resource is here for our members and is a great way to stay involved.

The Chamber has some more networking, educational, and informative ideas coming down the pipe and we would love the business communities feedback on gaps they feel we can fill in regards to formats and topics. You can get in contact with the chamber by emailing info@tillamookchamber.org or just giving us a call at 503-842-7525.

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May 23rd Highway Project Update

Tonight’s the night that the switch gets flipped.  The asphalt crews will be working on the bridge from 7:00 PM until 2:00 AM at which time the night flaggers arrive so that the stripers can begin their work of grinding out the old striping and laying down the new travel lanes.  Come tomorrow morning, Wednesday the 24th, the new bridge will be accepting its first traffic.

One lane of northbound traffic will be wiggled around the old Shell Station and guided up main to tie in over onto the new bridge come Wednesday morning.  For the duration of Wednesday, there will also be a single lane southbound on Main as the contractors complete the transition.  Once Thursday rolls around, traffic can return to two lanes southbound.

With all the adjustments, the two lanes of westbound coming into downtown on East First Street, otherwise known as Highway 6, will remain open in order to serve the anticipated heavy Memorial Day traffic.  The sewerline paving work on West First Street should be complete and freeflowing for traffic.  The accesses to the Third Street Shell Station will also remain open through the weekend even though eastside sidewalk demolition work is already launched along Pacific Avenue.

The typical holiday snarl may be slightly hyper-typical this year, especially since we’re going to have good weather, but the construction project and the City are attempting to clear as many routes through the City as possible.  Regardless of everyone’s best efforts, there will be stacking and tempers will be tried, but please pack plenty of patience and it should be a beautiful weekend.

As for the work crews, they will rest too.  There will be no work on Memorial Day.

Which brings us to the summer.  The multi-textured Plaza work will be wrapping up this week and the facility should be ready for the Cork’n Brew festivities on June 16th.  We will have some awkward pinches compared to our usual comfort zone, such as there won’t be any parking on First Street for the Farmers’ Market, but these are just growing pains that won’t stop our forward motion.

Our Highway Project E-news bulletin is created by Jeannell Wyntergreen, Highway 101/6 Project Liaison for the Tillamook Area Chamber of Commerce.   If you have any questions or would like to share a comment with the Chamber, contact her at hwyproject@tillamookchamber.org

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April 19th Highway Project Update

In an effort to catch up with the schedule, the project crews have been working six-tens in most locations.  Westwind, the concrete flatwork subcontractors, will be jamming on the sidewalks with the Rendezvous on track to be completed by this Friday and the ramps by the Phoenix Exchange set to go next Monday, and then on to the sidewalks between Second & First Streets by the end of next week.  Not long after, a concrete crew will be peeling off to start the sidewalks on the north side of the project by the Diesel Repair Shop.  Meanwhile, the concrete stamping work in the Second Street Plaza will be ongoing as weather allows.

There have been the usual surprises with fuel tanks under the sidewalks by the Blue Moon and phone poles without adequate bracing, but each headscratcher is dispensed with as it arises, and the crews shift to work around the problem.

The electrical team is pushing right along with the sidewalk crews, setting the last pole foundation up by the Rodeo by Wednesday next week and then jumping onto the bridge to run electrical for the lighting on the east side.

If you want to see a “Guppy” in action, one is moving in this week on the north side of the bridge to start pouring lightweight concrete off the ends of the bridge.  Once the sewer lines are installed on the south side, the “Guppy” will switch over to start pouring lightweight on that end in a couple of weeks.

Another set of nightwork events will occur on 101 next Monday and Tuesday nights in order to reset barrier pins.

On the bridge itself, while the deck is curing, wingwalls are being poured and next week will see the east side water overlook being formed up.  When the project is done, there will be a cantilevered overlook on each side of the bridge for viewing up and down the Hoquarton, hopefully creating an inviting showpiece in the heart of the community.

With all of this preparatory work coming together, we should finally be able to see the new streetscape take shape in three weeks from now as pavers go down, tree grates are installed, along with decorative fences around the new streetside planters.

Hopefully, as the sun comes out more often, all of this effort should reveal some substantial visible progress like a rainbow at the end of a storm.

Our Highway Project E-news bulletin is created by Jeannell Wyntergreen, Highway 101/6 Project Liaison for the Tillamook Area Chamber of Commerce.   If you have any questions or would like to share a comment with the Chamber, contact her at
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Mornings on Mainstreet

By Sierra Lauder
Director of Events and Downtown Promotion

Last month at the Chamber Headquarters at 208 Main Ave. we had the pleasure of hosting “Mornings on Main Street.” Around 20 people gathered to share coffee, treats and great discussion about all the activity in the downtown area. Lots of the conversation stemmed from the construction along the sidewalks of Pacific and the “Second Street Plaza.” I use quotations around “Second Street Plaza,” because the City of Tillamook’s Beautification Committee is entertaining possible names for the project. They will be narrowing the results at the next Beautification Meeting on April 10th, so if you have an idea to toss in the hat, contact City Hall or let us know at the Chamber and we’ll pass it along. There is some discussion of taking the top four choices and having a public vote. Look forward to that!

Construction projects within buildings were also a big topic of discussion. How could they not be, when the gathering was held within the freshly framed walls of the future offices for the Chamber? The Chamber project is zipping along, with electric and heating work wrapping up this week and sheet rocking kicking off next week. The Visitor’s Center will be fully operational in plenty of time for summer. Art Accelerated Board Chair Neal Lemery shared about the grants that they have been working on for improvements to the Beal’s Building, where they are hoping to start classes and workshops in the near future, as well as open for regular hours for the gallery. After banter about the facelift that is taking place in the old Murphy’s Furniture Building on First St. to accommodate a new T-Mobile store, and a report on the remodeling of the Blue Moon, Phil and Nelia from the Pacific Restaurant invited the entire group across the street and took us through the new restaurant space. Let me just give you this sneak peek: It. Is. Gorgeous.

We very much enjoyed this Mornings on Main Street event. Starting in May, the Chamber will be hosting these gatherings each month, on the third Tuesday of the month. While we invite you to contact us anytime with questions, thoughts or ideas, these member open house opportunities are a really easy way to connect with the projects the Chamber has going on, and a low pressure way to engage with others in the business community.

A quick update on upcoming events: it is Dairy Madness at the Chamber! The June Dairy Parade and Festival is set for June 24th. Entry forms for the June Dairy Parade will be going out early next week, and the coloring contest is OPEN. The parade route will be changing this year, and we will be working hard in the next few months to make sure that the information about the new route is available to everyone. The parade will now be STARTING at the high school, marching north up Main Ave., turning right and heading east on Third St. and disbanding at Goodspeed Park. We will be taking advantage of the open Second Street to host a large family friendly Dairy Festival.

Cork & Brew tickets will go on sale online April 10th! The Cork & Brew Tour takes place on June 16th, the Friday before Father’s Day.

If you have questions about these events or just want to talk Tillamook, feel free to call me at the Chamber (503) 842-7525, or email me at sierra@tillamookchamber.org.

 

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June Dairy Parade and Festival

Mark your calendars: this year’s June Dairy Parade and Festival is set for June 24, 2017!!!

“60 Years on the MOOVE” will be the theme for the year, and we are excited to say that parade entries have already begun to roll in! In keeping with the theme, even the parade route will be “mooving” a little bit this year- the parade will stage and launch from the high school and TPUD, and officially be underway as it heads north on Main Ave.. The route will be up Main to Third, where it will make a right and head east along Third Street before officially disbanding at Goodspeed Park. Here is a link to download the ParadeRouteMap.

Want to join the fun?

Here is a 2017 June Dairy Parade Entry Form. If you would like to join the parade, please have your entry for returned by May 30th, 2017 to the Tillamook Chamber office.

We are also seeking nominations for both Grand Marshal and Honorary Grand Marshal. If you have a friend or family member that you think deserves this honor, please submit either the Grand Marshal Application 2017, or the Honorary Grand Marshal Application 2017.

The Tillamook Chamber also hosts a June Dairy Parade Coloring Contest! Children between the ages of 3 and 12 can enter before June 12th to win great prizes in several age brackets. Entry forms are available here: coloring contest, and are due back at the Tillamook Chamber office before June 12th.

Dairy Parade weekend is a big deal in Tillamook! We’re continuing to grow the Dairy Festival, and this year children of all ages are guaranteed to enjoy festival happenings downtown. Second Street will host a car show, community BBQ, and a carnival of family activities hosted by local businesses. Fans of last year’s Penny Scramble will be happy to hear that we will indeed be scrambling again! Be sure to rest up headed in to the weekend; in addition to the parade and festival, the YMCA Milk Run, the Tillamook Farmer’s Market, and the Tillamook County Rodeo are all happening June 24th!!!

 

If you have any questions or need more information about the June Dairy Parade and Festival, please call Tammy at the Tillamook Area Chamber of Commerce: (503) 842-7525, or email info@tillamookchamber.org

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Cork & Brew set: June 16, 2017!!!

Cork & Brew 2017 kicks off on the evening of June 16th at 4:30 in the Pelican Bottling Room with a Launch Party that will feature several new activities, including an interactive introduction to the brewing process, a blind tasting competition and an uncorking battle. “Tourists” will be set loose at 5pm, passports in hand, to explore downtown and revel in the experiences that each “Tour Stop” will have crafted. The official Tour will wrap up at 8pm. Art Accelerated will be the final stop on the tour at their cooperative member gallery in the Beals Building at the corner of 3rd and Main.  They will not be serving beer or wine, but will be accepting completed passports until 8:30 and will be offering coffee and tea and hosting an art exhibit. Tourists are invited to consider one of the “after-party” options being offered at downtown establishments.

Ticket Sales are OPEN online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2017-cork-brew-tour-tickets-33168375504?aff=es2

Tickets are available, and we’re announcing the first three breweries that will be sponsoring this year’s Cork & Brew!!!!

Pelican Brewing – Tillamook– What would we do without these guys??? Cork & Brew will once again kick off with a super fun Launch Party in their TIllamook Bottling Room. Pelican brewers will be on hand to give us behind-the-scenes tours of the ever-growing facility and talk about what makes beer, well, beer.

Werner Brewing Company– We love these brothers! If you can’t wait until June for a taste of their tasty balanced IPA and too-easy brown, try them on tap in Netarts at The Schooner Restaurant & Lounge or the Upstairs Bar & Grill. (Look for a Tillamook tap room opening this summer!)

Reach Break Brewing– More brothers! Josh and Jared Allison have recently opened their incredibly welcoming brewery and tap room just up the road in Astoria, Oregon. Centrally located, their tap room features a roll-up wall that allows for you and your family to soak up the sun on the patio during these long spring days. Reach Break explores styles, hops and flavors that assure they will become a primary reason to venture up the coast. Come for the juicy hazy NE IPA’s, stay and be wowed by the rest of the line up. Save me some of the saison- it’s AMAZING.

Cheers!

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Cork & Brew Tour this June

 

By Sierra Lauder
Director of Events and Downtown Promotion

This June 16th marks the fourth annual Cork & Brew Tour coordinated by the Tillamook Area Chamber of Commerce. When we started this downtown wine and beer tasting tour in 2014, I think everyone was a bit skeptical on whether such an event would work in Tillamook. Sure, they did marvelous in larger cities that have more of a “downtown,” but Tillamook had never attempted anything like this before.

And yet here we are four years later, and each year the tour has grown both in attendance and enthusiasm. It has quickly become a summer kick-off event that so many look forward to.

Cork & Brew “Tourists” start the evening at a Launch Party at the Pelican Brewery, which will have some new surprises this year, before being set loose with passports that guide them through destinations throughout the downtown district. Businesses host tour stops, featuring craft beverage tastes and delicious food parings. Tourists receive a stamp in their passport at each stop, and after filling their passport are eligible for a grand prize drawing. Even if you don’t enjoy beer or wine, the deliciously fresh, locally made hors d’oeuvres, live music, and opportunity to visit and catch up with people you know makes it a fun summer evening.

Plus, it gives our community members a chance to congregate in different businesses that they might not normally patronize on a regular basis. The Cork & Brew Tour is really about exploring downtown, enjoying good company, and of course tasting craft brewed beers and Oregon-based wines. You might make new friends, or just discover your new favorite bottle of wine.

I have been eagerly meeting with businesses owners and managers to see who would like to host this year, and we will announce that list a little later. If we haven’t contacted you yet but you know you want to participate, go ahead and give us a call and we will be happy to set something up.

We are also seeking sponsorships for the event. As you all know, events take time and money to do well, and if you are an individual or organization that loves to see the bustle in downtown and wants to help make it another success for our community, there are two great options to sponsor the Cork & Brew Tour:

Tour Sponsor – $200: A Tour Sponsor will receive two tickets for the event; two glassware of your choice (beer or wine), a poster at the event, and an ad in the passport.

Presenting Sponsor – $500: Presenting Sponsors will receive four tickets to the event; glassware for four of your choice; a poster at the event; an ad in the passport; and promotional stage time at the launch party.

Both sponsorships will help secure supplies and entertainment, ensure proper advertising for the event and help cover the crazy amount of necessary permits required to make this event happen.

If you would like to help sponsor the 2017 Cork & Brew Tour, volunteer for the event, or would like to learn more about the event, please contact the Chamber of Commerce at 503-842-7525 or email sierra@tillamookchamber.org.

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Coming Soon – Thanks to the Tillamook Urban Renewal Agency

 

By Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director

You’ve no doubt seen in the news recently that the Tillamook County Creamery Association plans to rebuild their visitor center to accommodate more people and enhance the entire experience.

Well, TCCA isn’t the only one in the infancy of a remodel. The Chamber was awarded an $80,000 grant from the Tillamook Urban Renewal Agency to remodel and update our current building at 208 Main Street. We estimate that to complete our vision it will take $100,000 and we are committed to making the investment to make this place the best it can be for the community and visitors.

Our goal is to create a first class visitor information center, as well as having staff offices, and work space and a meeting room for our members and community use.

The remodel will include new faux wood flooring, new interior paint, a new roof, HVAC system, office and meeting space addition, ADA restroom remodel, and redoing the front façade. Both inside and out, this new visitor’s center will reflect an industrial farmhouse look and feel to coincide with the authenticity of The Dairylands branding.

This property remodel is possible thanks to TURA, who fortunately saw the importance of creating a downtown visitor and business center that will help brand our community in a professional and inviting way. The generous investment in the new Chamber headquarters will assure that visitors who come to pick up maps, guidebooks and information have a comfortable launching point for their downtown exploration.

Along with our TURA grant, we received a grant through Visit Tillamook Coast to build a reception counter, several industrial style visitor information racks and signage to match our new building. And as you might assume, all the work on our building, as well as the new racks and signage, will be done through local contractors.

The remodel began this Monday with Daniel Werner Construction framing up office walls with lumber donated by Hampton Lumber. We anticipate the full project will be completed by mid-April. You will still be able to reach Sierra, Tammy, or myself at the office working as best we can through the remodel phase, and of course we appreciate your patience and persistence through this process. Just think, by next summer we will have a functioning highway intersection, a Second Street pedestrian plaza, some brand new sidewalks with added curb appeal, a brand new visitor center at the Cheese Factory, and last but not least a fully-functioning Chamber of Commerce office and first class visitor information center. If that isn’t enough to get you excited, I don’t know what will.

The Chamber Board and myself value your input and insight. Feel free to contact us anytime at info@tillamookchamber.org.

 

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Cranes, sidewalks, and walking paths, oh my!

 

By Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director

Does anyone else feel a little like they are in Seattle or Portland? Our skyline is crowded with cranes lately, moving meticulously around traffic as they set the cumbersome bridge supports. Soon they will be hoisting the bridge bearings up one by one and maneuvering the hefty pieces into place. Next on the list is placing the mammoth girders that will span the Hoquarton.

A little north of Hoqurton, large storm drains and beehives are being installed, and on Second Street the tree wells are finally ready to be formed. Once the storm drainage work is complete, the new pedestrian plaza will be ready for its makeover – in other words they will be pouring the colored and multi-patterned concrete. That should be exciting to see and for many of us it will help to visualize the final picture that we’ve been waiting so long for.

Remember that this month the construction zone might feel like it has expanded a bit as the foundations and electrical trenching begin along the new bicycle/pedestrian trail near Goodspeed Park. We will also see the formation of the interior bays and overhang for the pedestrian walkway over the Port of Tillamook Bay’s Hwy 6 railroad bridge.

For those wondering, this bicycle and pedestrian path will eventually lead back to the Hoquarton Landing park near the Hwy 101 bridge. Then it will cross the highway via a traffic island to join Sue H. Elmore Park, which will be renovated later this summer. The City of Tillamook has plans to continue a boardwalk path westward through Front Street towards the walking circuit around Tillamook Regional Medical Center.

Speaking of walking, the new sidewalk pattern that was tested next to Homelife Furniture has been approved and the rest of the sidewalks are scheduled for pouring. This piece of the project is a tad behind schedule after 90 feet of newly-poured sidewalk had to be torn up when it was discovered it didn’t have the correct scoring pattern on it. This pattern will set the tone for the rest of downtown, where more than 2,000 feet of new sidewalks will be added from First Street to Fourth Street and from Main to Pacific.

There is a lot of questions coming in about if the bridge and sidewalks are going to be done by Summer. Due to some recent revisions to the bridge construction we have received word that ODOT is still committed to opening all lanes of traffic by this summer. The sidewalk schedule is currently being revised and all parties are coming to the table to identify the best timeline revisions to make sure that this stays on track for completion by Memorial Day.

You can stay up-to-date on the highway project be visiting tillamookchamber.org and subscribing to our weekly bulletin. If you have any questions regarding the highway project email Jeannell at hwyproject@tillamookchamber.org.

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The Oregon Legislature needs to hear from you

By Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director

Oregon’s legislature is currently in session and is facing some serious issues such as a funding a much-needed statewide transportation package, adjusting for a $1.8 billion-dollar deficit, and simply figuring out how to work together. The legislature is required by law to adopt a balanced two-year budget. It is no easy feat and requires difficult trade-offs between competing programs and services.  This Friday, March 3rd, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Officers Mess Hall at the Port of Tillamook Bay is the Ways and Means Committee Public Forum. This is your opportunity to tell the Legislature what really matters to you.

Here are some facts to consider while researching or testifying about Oregon’s budget:

  • Since the end of the Great Recession, Oregon revenues have grown faster than almost every state in the nation. Oregon’s state tax revenues are at an all-time high.
  • The State actually has $1.2 billion dollars more to spend this budget cycle than it did last budget. The $1.8 billion deficit being discussed is due to government costs that are increasing faster than the additional revenue.
  • One of the biggest cost-drivers for this and future budgets is the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS), which diverts money away from Oregon’s classrooms and other services.
  • Oregon is the only state in the country where the public employees pension programs are fully funded by tax dollars and there is no requirement for state employee participation.
  • While PERS pension costs are skyrocketing, the PERS system continues to operate a second, 401K-style retirement savings plan in addition to the pension plan. Taxpayers should not be required to pay for two retirement plans, when the pension plan alone is bankrupting our state.
  • If Oregon taxpayers’ contributions to government employee health plan premiums were at the U.S. average, the state could save hundreds of millions of dollars per budget cycle to invest in schools and other services.

Bottom Line: Before making cuts to education, healthcare and other essential services for Oregonians, or before putting additional tax burden on citizens or business, we must curb Oregon’s rapidly rising Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) costs and high government employee healthcare costs.

Individuals who receive or are currently in the PERS program clearly deserve their benefits; those are the benefits that were agreed to when they started their career. However, PERS reforms is a reality that our state needs to face moving forward if we hope to see any balance of between taxes and services.

I encourage you to take a moment to look through the Ways and Means Committee budget framework. You can find it on our website at www.tillamookchamber.org/chamber-chatter by clicking on this story. If you can’t make the meeting and have input for the Ways and Means Committee you can submit testimony via email at waysandmeans.budget@oregonlegislature.gov or email our State Senator Betsy Johnson directly (who is a Ways and Means Vice Co-Chair) at sen.bestsyjohnson@state.or.us.

The Chamber Board and myself value your input and insight. Feel free to contact us anytime at info@tillamookchamber.org.

 

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February Mainstream Happenings

by Sierra Lauder
Director of Events and Downtown Promotion

February Frenzy! It’s been wild around the Mainstreet District these past few weeks. Enthusiastic teenagers with fully functioning vocal chords have been sharing street corners with sandwich boards full of activities, and yet there has still been plenty of room for shoppers who have zig zagged around town supporting Charity Drive events and Cash Mobs. There are two more Cash Mobs events on the roster- so keep those calendars out! This Saturday, February 25th, we’ll be at The Rendezvous from 4:30-6. Why so early? So we have plenty of time to walk over to Yo Time for the 6:30 Open Mic night hosted by Art Accelerated. Live music acts have signed up, as well as a handful of writers and poets; if you would like to be included in the roster, give the Chamber a call and we can help connect you to the sign-up sheet. March 5th (make a note- this date has changed) is a brunch Cash Mob at The Blue Moon Café. They are currently closed for some unanticipated remodeling, and are hoping to reopen for regular hours soon. It’s hard not to be in awe of our community this time of year, and the Chamber is both proud and honored to be a partner.

Planning has kicked off hot and heavy for the June Dairy Parade and Festival. The Festivals Committee, which meets year-round, is really starting to dig in to ideas, organization, and delegation. The coloring contest, which debuted last year, is about to go live. Check your local library branch for entry forms. You may recall the Pirate Fest and Penny Scramble that took place after the parade last year- this year we are hoping to grow that festival atmosphere and expand the children’s activities. Clubs, businesses or organizations who are interested in hosting or sponsoring an activity in the festival are invited to attend the Festivals Committee or stop by or call the Chamber.

I also recently had the opportunity to attend the Mainstreet Quarterly Workshop in Cottage Grove. It is so fun to visit another community and see how they tackle some of the same challenges we look at here, and compare ideas and strategies. Mainstreet programs from all over the state were present. We discussed strategies for consolidating sponsorships, working with partners, and grant funding opportunities available through the state for development projects in Mainstreet communities. There are a few different grants available for rehabilitation efforts, and we have visited with a few property owners who might be a match for these funds. If you have property that you are thinking of investing in and want to learn more about Mainstreet and the parameters of the grants that are available, please call or email me at the Chamber: (503) 842-7525, sierra@tillamookchamber.org.

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Improve your bottom line through a five-series workshop at TBCC

By Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director

Once again, the Chamber is partnering Tillamook Bay Community College to bring the community a Business Development Series that will focus on reducing costs, decreasing delays and improving the quality of your business.

This five-session series will begin in March and introduces the fundamentals of Lean processing. You may be wondering, ‘what is Lean? How do I know if it’s for me?’

Lean is about increasing your bottom line. If you own or manage a business that could benefit from a more efficient process then you will want a seat at this table. Lean evaluates your current process and finds ways to preserve value through less work.

Each session is two hours and concentrates on an aspect of the Lean process and how to apply it effectively to your own business. While each session builds on knowledge and skills learned at previous sessions, you can choose to attend all five or pick and choose which ones are most relevant to your situation:

Session 1 – Pillars. Principles, & Perspectives (March 3, 2017) This first session will provide an overview of tried and tested Lean methods. Your business will be encouraged to identify how, why and where it could benefit from an improved process and then connect those dots to the Lean methods.

Session 2 – Not all Treasures is Silver and Gold (March 10, 2017) The second session will focus on identifying immediate, easy changes you can be making right away that will help eliminate waste in your process, and developing an orderly and improved process.

Session 3 – Here’s Looking at you Kid (March 24, 2017) Session three will help your business measure future progress and create visual assets to remind your employees of these new, standard procedures.

Session 4 – If you Build it, They Will Come (April 7, 2017) In our fourth session, you will learn how to document processes to ensure that all your employees understand and consistently implement the improved process.

Session 5 – Houston, We have a Bigger Problem (April 21, 2017) Now that you have the basics under your belt, and have implemented Lean processes in some of your basic business practices, we can look at the much larger picture. In session five, we will map out an entire business process to identify future improvements. Remember, Lean is all about continuous improvement so the work is never completely over; there is always room for improvement.

Tom Atchison, the Business Administration Instructor at TBCC will be facilitating the series. Tom is also the Coordinator of Customized Training & Development at TBCC, and has his Doctor of Management.

Register by contacting the Chamber at info@tillamookchamber.org or calling 503-842-7525. The entire series is $200, or individual sessions are $50 each. Sessions are from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. at TBCC’s main campus, in room 214/215.

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New sidewalks, fixed potholes, and new paver strips all point to progress

 

By Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director

It’s amazing the difference one month can make on the downtown construction project. The north end of the sidewalk between Third and Fourth streets is being poured this week, and the south side is scheduled to be poured next week. Wells Fargo’s driveway has even been poured!

I know that for many, last fall felt slow and draining, but from here on out progress should be more visible in nearly every aspect of the highway interchange redesign.

Since the beginning of January we’ve seen significant grading, forming and pouring of our curbs, sidewalks and ADA ramps, and I think everyone agrees it will be nice to have those back in action. The pedestrian access points have been a huge help throughout all of this, but there is something exciting about seeing sidewalks again. Thank you to everyone who has braved the demolition and continued to patronize our businesses.

We also saw the annual pothole cluster near the corner of First and Pacific, which was first filled with cold patch, then covered with the steel plate – both unsuccessful. Kudos are in order to ODOT and the contractor, OSBC, for stepping up and digging out the faulty base and asphalt and doing a thorough repair – even though they will be digging this up again soon. Additional roadway markings were also secured throughout the project area to keep traffic patterns distinct and improving travel lanes – especially at night.

Speaking of potholes, we have brought the need for the seams of the Hoquorton Bridge to be patched and have received favorable feedback from ODOT that this will be handled as soon as they have hot asphalt available.

Second Street is also making headway, although from the surface it might be hard to tell. Bases for light posts have been added, structural supports are being poured, and storm drain lines have been laid in. Next comes the electrical conduits, which will be trenched in over the next few weeks. That will also for the pouring of the tactical paver strips. That all might sound kind of tedious and boring to some, but these paver strips will be the first visible elements of the Second Street Plaza between Main and Pacific. This plaza, which will be the backdrop for many town festivals, will begin to take shape over the next few months. (Remember: This plaza is not being closed to traffic, but instead will be a one-way to match to the rest of Second Street).

Just think, by the end of the highway redesign in 2018, Blue Moon Café, The Phoenix Exchange, and the newly relocated Pacific Restaurant will all have a front-row seat to a wonderful new addition of our downtown. While the end result is exciting, let’s not forget that many of our core businesses in the downtown area are still severely impacted by the construction. They need our loyalty now more than ever. As we mentioned last week, we are planning several “cash mobs” this month to support The Phoenix Exchange; Madeline’s Vintage Marketplace; Blue Moon Café; and The Rendezvous. For more information, visit www.tillamookchamber.org.

Also, don’t forget to swing by our new office at 208 Main Avenue to lend your voice to the Wayfinding Sign discussion. We are seeking input on design, placement, and the types of things the signs should point to. It’s been a robust conversation thus far with many of you, and it is our hope that we can continue to get feedback that will propel the discussion further forward, and develop a complete signage plan that will coincide with the end of the highway project in 2018. If you would like to weigh in on wayfinding via email you can do so by emailing Sierra at sierra@tillamookchamber.org

You can stay up-to-date on the highway project be visiting tillamookchamber.org and subscribing to our weekly bulletin. If you have any questions regarding the highway project call Jeannell at (503) 812-8906 or email her at hwyproject@tillamookchamber.org.

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Chamber Chatter: It’s Time to Rally

 

By Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director

Over the last few months I have watched wide-eyed as you the community have stepped up to bat for your neighbors. Just last month at the Chamber banquet, dozens of you raised your card for Dean Burdick to help his family with their medical costs. We raised more than $7,000, which was just a drop in the bucket of what the community has raised for this family.

And let’s not forget that in October of last year, more than 100 supportive shoppers checked in at Manzanita for the Cash Mob and helped those business owners know they are cared about and appreciated after they experienced a devastating tornado.

We will continue to see this support and dedication for our neighbors in the upcoming weeks as Charity Drive kicks into full drive. Every year our businesses and individuals go above and beyond to support one of our country’s largest Charity Drives in existence. The students at Tillamook High School go all out, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities and Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland. It’s this tradition of giving and supporting one another that gets our blood pumping.

This year, let’s keep this momentous charity ball rolling by helping support four local businesses who need our attention and love. Here are four ways you can continue to help after Charity Drive has wrapped up:

February 11: The Chamber is hosting a Cash Mob at Teen Challenge, 4192 Hwy 1010 N. A cash mob, if you’ve never participated in one, is when a group of people assemble at a local business to make purchases. The purpose of these mobs is to support both the local businesses and the overall community. Our local Teen Challenge store has been informed by their corporate office that without a financial turn over, they won’t be able to keep the doors open. This would be a huge loss for those in the community who are in need of affordable clothes, furniture, household items, and more. Not to mention the employees who rely on Teen Challenge for a source of income. Join us on February 11 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. while we “mob” Teen Challenge with financial support.

And in case you don’t remember, this strategy worked wonders for our local Franz Bread Bakery in 2013 when they too were on the verge of shutting down. United States Bakery in Portland had announced they were closing the Tillamook branch, which resulted in a “Save the Store” rally. The store hadn’t been doing well for years, and that coupled with the Third Street construction at the time had apparently sealed its fate. But community members decided to show up and show their dedication to the Tillamook branch, prompting the corporate office to reconsider the closure and keep the store open. We did it once, and we can do it again!

February 18: The Phoenix Exchange and Madeline’s Vintage Marketplace are literally surrounded by the downtown construction, and as such they are feeling the impact. With little parking or useable sidewalks right now, it has made it more difficult to shop these stores. Plan to show up and spend some cash on February 18 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. and help sustain these ladies.

February 25: The Rendezvous is also feeling the effects of major construction, so we are hosting a “dinner mob” from 4:30 – 6:00 followed by open mic night at YoTime at 6:30 (hosted by Art Accelerated). Make an evening of dinner, dessert and entertainment, all while encouraging our downtown businesses.

February 26: Blue Moon Café will have a Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m with guest chef Nelia Seratista of Pacific Restaurant. Stay tuned for the price of the brunch! Proceeds will help support the Blue Moon Cafe, yet another business in the middle of a construction zone.

So enjoy Charity Drive – get out and cheer on your favorite class, but be sure to keep the momentum rolling into the local community as we spread the love and joy to four local businesses who could use an extra boost during the slow season.

 

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Chamber Chatter: It Takes a Village

 

By Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director

It’s been hard to find the right words to explain just how amazing the Chamber Banquet was this year. Maybe it is just me, or maybe the nearly 300 other people who attended feel the same way. Either way, there was a common theme at the Chamber’s Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday: “It takes a village.”

As Whitey Forsman said when he accepted the award for Pacific Seafood in the category of Large Business of the Year, “Without our village, we could not survive or be able to do the things we do.”

Natalie Reiger, who accepted the award for Sunflower Flats in the category of Small Business of the Year echoed this sentiment and added, “Our family has been the biggest part of our village.”

Perhaps the night was best captured in the words of Paul Daniels, as he accepted the award for Developmental Project of the Year for the Garibaldi Village Apartments:

“We believe in Tillamook County,” he said. “Can you feel the energy? Tillamook County is reviving and coming to life and it is because of all of your people here tonight.”

This idea that it takes all of us participating in order for one of us to be successful couldn’t be more true in a small, rural community like ours. We need to reach out and take care of each other. We need to support, refer, and respect our fellow businesses and neighbors.

It was evident that this sentiment was shared as I stood on stage and watched our community raise money for Dean Burdick and his family. Dean just recently returned home after emergency surgery to remove a brain tumor, and we were blessed that he and his family could join us at the banquet. As a surprise we asked everyone who wanted to help with his medical costs to make a donation of any size. In a room with just under 300 people, we raised $7,585 for the Burdicks. It left me speechless to see that level of love and support for one of our citizens, and yet honored to be a part of a community that takes care of its own the way we do. Thank you.

We were also able to pay tribute to LeeAnn Neal, who passed away last year. LeeAnn was a beacon of journalistic integrity in our community and one who will be severely missed by many of us. If you didn’t know LeeAnn personally, you likely knew of her work with the Tillamook County Pioneer, which has become a go-to place for local and immediate news.

“LeeAnn was my friend, and a friend to so many people in this room,” said Mary Faith Bell, Chamber Board President. “She was the heart and soul of the Tillamook County Pioneer.”

In honor of LeeAnn’s life, we named her the Exceptional Citizen of Tillamook County, and the Chamber has agreed to sponsor a bench in her name at Kilchis Point Reserve. You can look for her bench this Spring.

And last but not least, Connie Green was named Citizen of the Year. Connie has been a personal mentor of mine, and someone our community has turned to time and time again for her wisdom, her generosity, and her passion. She has been a teacher, an optimist, a leader and a shepherd. As Mayor Suzanne Weber said, the benefits of Connie’s actions will sustain us long after her retirement. Connie has been a member of our Chamber Board for many years now and we can’t thank her enough for everything she’s done for our community.

I would also like to especially thank our sponsors of the evening: Pelican Brewing Co.; Visit Tillamook Coast; Pacific Seafood; Hampton Lumber Co.; The Griffin House; US Bank; and the Tillamook County Creamery Association.

 

 

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New Year, New Board Members and a New Building

Quilt Trail

By Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director

Welcome to 2017!

We are eager to announce three new Board members joining the Chamber team. It’s always a pleasure to have new energy, new ideas and new faces around the table and these three new members bring a rejuvenated enthusiasm to the New Year and the Chamber.

Natalie Rieger is a co-owner of Sunflower Flats in downtown Tillamook. For 15 years she has taken care of the family business in several ways, including financially and technologically as well as handling all the marketing and personnel. To say she is business-savvy would be an understatement. Natalie is also incredibly community-minded. She’s always the first to volunteer to help at Chamber events and other functions, and has stepped up to the plate as a Board member with the same enthusiasm and gusto.

Sarah Absher is the studio owner and dance coach of Dance Zone, which has been a roaring success since it opened in 2013. She too is a small business owner and is passionate about growing and supporting the small business community in the Tillamook area. As a land-use planner for Tillamook County, Sarah has an extensive knowledge about the issues that all small business owners must overcome and is an advocate for all small business owners.

Adrienne Allen also joins the Chamber board. Adrienne and her husband own and operate Victor Dairy, a 400-cow grazing dairy and member of the Tillamook County Creamery Association Co-Op. Farming runs deep in Adrienne’s family and we love having that aspect on our Board. However, we are very fortunate to add her because of her dedication to our community and exceptional volunteerism.

Our other returning members are Board President White Forsman with Pacific Seafood; Vice President Kayla Craycraft with US Bank; Past President Mary Faith Bell with Adventist Regional Medical Center; Secretary Lexie Hampton with The Griffin House; Eric Lessor with Computer Support & Services; Carlos Mendez with La Mexicana Restaurant; Kaylan Sisco with the Tillamook County Family YMCA; and Sheila Zerngast with Tillamook Coliseum Theater.

At the end of December we held an all-day Board retreat to get to know one another better and do some goal setting for the New Year. If you want to move mountains in life you have to start one shovel at a time. Fortunately, we had an excavator last year and really got things moving.

In 2016 our Board and staff worked incredibly hard establishing relationships with other organizations and laying the groundwork for several successful projects. It was a lot of “behind the scenes” work that will come to fruition in this year and you will soon see it come to life.

We purchased a building at 208 Main Avenue, thanks to a generous contribution from the Tillamook County Creamery Association, and will be remodeling and building it into a new Visitors Center to open later this year.

Our newest team member, Sierra, has been working with the Tillamook Urban Renewal Agency on their application process, and the City of Tillamook on wayfinding parking signs. Both of these projects will be finalized and put into application in 2017.

Our newly remodeled Chamber website, www.tillamookchamber.org, is up and running. As the year progresses we will continue to make that site a center for communication and information with weekly ODOT reports and updates and Chamber news and events.

Our Tillamook Living Calendar, which was created last year, is starting to increase in engagement and entries. As the year progresses keep looking to tillamookliving.com to find things to do near you.

We exceeded our expectations on taking travelers to China and will be taking off in April. Sierra and I are working on potentially planning a trip to Ireland as well, so keep your eyes peeled for more information about that in the months to come.

While we are continuing to build on the framework we put in place in 2016, we are also investigating new ideas and new possibilities. At our retreat the Board agreed to move forward this year with the feasibility and planning of a large food event (Let your imagination roam about how cool this could be).

We will also be focusing on intentional outreach to our members and bringing back networking opportunities and membership meetings so that we can all find new ways to grow and learn together as a team and as a community.

And don’t forget to join us on Jan. 14 for the annual Chamber Banquet and Awards Ceremony. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Chamber at 503-842-7525 or email info@tillamookchamber.org.

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Chamber Chatter: And the Nominees Are…

By Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director

First of all, I would like to say thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate a business, project, or citizen. We were thrilled with the entries that came in, along with letters of support from all over the community. Our selection committee has their work cut out for them!

And now, without further ado, the nominees are:

In the category of Large Business of the Year:

  1. Pacific Seafood. With 75 years of experience, Pacific Seafood continues to specialize in bringing its customers high-quality seafood, while giving back to the communities it serves in way of jobs, donations, and opportunities.
  2. Zweifel Custom Farming. From hauling manure, to running a dairy cow daycare, to bailing 13,000 round hay bails each summer, Zweifel Custom Farming rents and owns 300 acres and works hard to make things a little easier for our county’s dairy farmers.

In the category of Small Business of the Year:

  1. Tillamook County Pioneer. The brainchild of the late LeeAnn Neal, the Tillamook County Pioneer has become a widely respected and reliable online news source for Tillamook County, bringing us daily news that is free to read.
  2. E&E Auto Body Inc. Family owned and operated, E&E Auto Body Inc. has been providing reliable and high quality automotive and auto body repair services since 1975.
  3. La Tea Da Tea Shop. Since 2001, co-Proprietors Terry Mizée and Suzanne Petty have created a unique experience in the heart of Tillamook, attracting visitors from across the world (as well as many loyal local customers) to experience the “tea life” and enjoy an exquisite gift shop.
  4. Garibaldi Portside Bistro. A newer addition at the Port of Garibaldi, this family restaurant specializes in creating affordable, mouth-watering culinary creations that use locally-sourced products and ingredients.
  5. Sunflower Flats. Family owned for 15 years, Sunflower Flats is a full-service, all-occasion florist that specializes in creating unique wedding and funeral designs and offers county-wide delivery. Their downtown gift shop is well stocked with home décor, garden and gift selections, local artists, candles, cards and much more.
  6. YoTime Frozen Yogurt. It’s hard to believe Yo Time only opened in June, and since then has become a family-friendly gathering place for birthday parties, after-hour school functions, and other community events, all while offering a refreshing treat loved by visitors and locals alike.

In the category of Developmental Project of the Year:

  1. Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers. Active in three other counties, Helping Hands branched into Tillamook County just over a year ago when they bought the Naval Command Center at the Port of Tillamook Bay and renovated it to serve as an emergency shelter. Since last April they have served more than 200 individuals.
  2. Garibaldi Apartments/ Paul Daniels. After selling his commercial fishing business to Pacific Seafood, Paul Daniels decided to reinvest his funds into the community by building the Garibaldi Apartments. This 18-unit apartment complex is the only new affordable-housing development in our county.
  3. Sheltered Nook Tiny Homes. Already an established Bed & Breakfast, Sheltered Nook has evolved into six tiny cabins, creating a unique vacation perfect for those who are looking to explore the tinier side of life. Sheltered Nook is also home to the only Disc Golf course between Newport and Astoria.
  4. Pelican Brewing Co. To meet the growing demand, Pelican Brewing Company constructed a 14,000-square-foot bottling/packaging facility next to the Tillamook Tap Room, allowing them to increase their production from 60 cases an hour to 300 cases an hour – making Pelican the second-fastest growing beer brand in Oregon in retail beer sales.

In the category of Citizen of the Year:

  1. Jerry Dove. Founder and President of the Tillamook Anglers, Jerry Dove has been instrumental in the management of the Whiskey Creek Volunteer Salmon Hatchery, as well as educating youth about the reproduction and care of our local fisheries.
  2. Evelynn Von Feldt. When you reflect on the work that the Tillamook County Master Gardeners has accomplished, it is hard not to think of Evlynn VonFeldt, who has dedicated her time not only to the Master Gardeners, but the Tillamook County Farmers Market, and OSU Extension as well.
  3. Roger Weeks. As the Principal and General Manager of Tillamook Motor Co., Roger has been instrumental in its growth over. Under Roger’s leadership, the dealership has continued to expand both its new and used car lots and has increased the garage’s capacity to serve all manners of cars.
  4. Dee Dee Haliski. Dee Dee is a nurse for Adventist Hospice, where she has provided care and comfort for hundreds of patients and their families. She is a resource for our elderly residents and an advocate for services that improve their quality of life.
  5. Connie Green. President of Tillamook Bay Community College since 2010, Connie Green has been an integral part of our community, serving on a variety of boards, committees, and of course most recently building the Partners for Rural Innovation Center on Third Street as a way to connect more resources in our county.
  6. Nick Troxel. Tillamook Police Detective Nick Troxel continues to be a positive figure in our community, particularly with youth and high school students. He participates each year in Shop with a Cop; is an active Rotarian who helped implement their Flag Program; and is on the Board of Directors for Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers.

The winners of each category will be announced at our annual Chamber Banquet on January 14th. To purchase a ticket, contact the Chamber at 503-842-7525 or email info@tillamookchamber.org.

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Stay informed at tillamookchamber.org

By Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director

It’s been a pleasure these last several months to bring you weekly updates from the Chamber of Commerce. Based on comments and conversations I’ve had with both Chamber members and the general public, I think everyone is enjoying a chance to learn more about what the Chamber is up to. We’re thankful for this opportunity and partnership with the Headlight Herald and look forward to continuing to bring news, updates, and information your way.

One thing we haven’t touched on yet is our newly re-designed website, www.tillamookchamber.org. This is a fun one, because our intention with the new layout is to be an ongoing and reliable source of information regarding both the Chamber and its members.

This is where you will find the local business directory, the Chamber’s strategic plan and many other informational aspects of the Chamber, all conveniently located right here so you never have to miss a beat. You can meet our staff, contractors and Boar members. It might come as a surprise, but our Board is so much more than just faces and names. These are business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders who have been elected specifically for their skills and abilities to help propel the Chamber forward for the business community.

Every Wednesday we are publishing our Chamber Chatter on the blog. If you miss one in print or need to go back and reference something you heard me say, you can find them all on our website, with new ones every week.

If you didn’t know already, the Chamber participates in weekly meetings with ODOT and the construction crew to get the latest and most accurate information regarding the Highway 101/6 project. These weekly meetings give us an opportunity to present any concerns and help find solutions. Each week we write a bulletin that is posted to our website and emailed to subscribers, ensuring that you are always informed about exactly what is going on and we can eliminate any surprises. At tillamookchamber.org you can directly sign up for the weekly Highway 101/6 bulletin email.

There’s more you can do, too. Sign up for our weekly “Monday Memo” (a soon-to-be revamped email sent out each Monday and comprised of local events and news). Join the Chamber in just a couple of minutes by filling out a simple, online application. And of course, browse our comprehensive calendar to keep afloat on all meetings, events, fundraisers, performances, and even more.

This is not just a stagnant website– it is a fun, engaging and informative point of reference for business owners and community members. And as with all websites, we are still working on getting the photography and some information dialed in, but the functionality is there! A big thanks to Tillamook Design for their work on this project, and for making our vision come to life.

 

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Behind the Scenes

Highway 101 - 2nd Street

By Sierra Lauder
Director of Events and Downtown Development

Some of the aspects of the work I do as Director of Events and Downtown Development are much less glamorous than others. Lucky for me, I adore projects that require lots of policy and program analysis! I thought I’d take a moment this week to bring some of those behind-the-scenes activities that I’ve been working on out in to the public eye.

I currently have the pleasure of serving on not just one, but two ad hoc committees for the Tillamook Urban Renewal Agency in which we are reviewing the TURA grant application process and ways to raise community awareness about TURA. TURA is its own entity that operates in tandem with the City of Tillamook- the agency has a unique budget, independent governing board, specific goals and objectives, and exists for a limited amount of time (25 years). The purpose of TURA is to create funding opportunities to assist and incentivize in the revitalization of properties within the Tillamook Urban Renewal District Boundaries. As a community member, you may find yourself surprised at the number of projects that TURA has been involved in, and even more surprised at the potential that exists for future projects.

The Chamber has been invited to partner with TURA staff and board to revise the application process, looking for ways to make the grant and loan funding that is available more approachable for businesses and property owners. Conversations with Chamber members have highlighted that outreach about the TURA programs and a streamlined application process would be welcomed. Through these committee roles, the Chamber is working with TURA to simplify the process to determine if a project is eligible, increase the clarity of the application process, and support strategies to raise awareness about the opportunities TURA has available. We have made some great progress already, and I am hopeful that as we wrap up these committees in the next few months I will have more good news to report.

Another big behind-the-scenes project has been with the City of Tillamook as they review the sign code ordinance and their performance review process. Both of these areas of the city code are extremely relevant to businesses, and the current language can be confusing and hard to interpret. City Council has spent some time in recent workshops considering these and other possible ordinance amendments, ultimately supporting staff in opening a broader discussion as to what the sign ordinance should look like and what criteria might be appropriate to trigger the performance review process. The Chamber has been happy to participate in the discussions and offer perspective from the business community, and is advocating for simple consistent language that reflects the goals of the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

The Tillamook Area Chamber of Commerce is vested in the vitality of the local economy, and we are diligently cataloging resources and options available for pursuing growth and maximizing stability for entrepreneurs. Sometimes we can point to flashy events and public projects, but sometimes the work is in small committees and the review of big documents. We appreciate the responsiveness of our members, who consistently point out ideas for growth and opportunities to adapt to suit their needs, and are grateful for community partners who keep the door open. If you have questions about these or other projects, feel welcome to give me a call or email any time.

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Keeping an Eye on the Oregon Legislature

First, I want to say thank you to those who helped defeat Measure 97 by using their voice and casting a vote. However, the fight is not over. There has been a lot of speculation about what to expect from the Oregon Legislature on the heels of Measure 97’s defeat that will directly affect our local businesses, and I feel a role of the Chamber is to bring awareness of potential issues that may affect our local businesses in the upcoming session:

Tax reform. Senator Mark Hass (Beaverton) has been vocal about his support for a 0.4% Commercial Activities Tax in exchange for eliminating corporate income taxes and lowering personal income taxes. It seems likely that 2017 will be the year that this proposal gains traction.

Property taxes. Senator Hass has also proposed eliminating the 3% annual growth cap on assessed value in exchange for moving to market-value based assessments coupled with a significant homestead exemption. This translates into an increase in business property taxes and would likely be part of a comprehensive tax overhaul proposal in the future.

Corporate Tax Disclosure. For the past several years, the legislature has toyed with the idea of passing legislation requiring C corporations to disclose business and tax information to the Secretary of State to be posted on a public website.  It would not be surprising to see a full-throttle effort to pass this type of legislation next year.

Creative tax increases.  For the past several years, the legislature has utilized a loophole that allows it to both extend existing tax credits (revenue deduction) and raise taxes (revenue increase) in the same legislation, thus allowing it to avoid the 3/5 supermajority requirement for raising taxes. This continues to inflict a significant emerging threat to the business community, and one we will be watching closely.

Supermajority no longer required. The Oregon Supreme Court handed legislative tax-raisers a victory in the past year by ruling that it no longer requires a 3/5 supermajority vote of the legislature to raise revenue through the elimination of tax credits or deductions. For years, certain legislators have eagerly awaited the prospect of scaling back or eliminating tax deductions such as the mortgage interest deduction. Next year will be the first session where this will be possible with a simple majority vote – a huge implication for Oregon businesses.

The Tillamook Area Chamber of Commerce does not have a position on these items but we encourage you to take a look at how they may affect your business and let us know if you have a concern. We will do our best to keep you updated and informed as the legislative session approaches.

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Thankful for opportunities to serve our community

SaraSota's

I hope everyone was able to enjoy their Thanksgiving holiday last week, and that somewhere amongst the festivities and food you found a moment to give thanks for the things in your life that help make it special. I know I did. I found myself thinking of not only my home life, but also my work life, and want to share how incredibly thankful I am for our community and the many partnerships that have blossomed for the Chamber.

It was humbling to see how many of our local restaurants and cafes stepped up to the plate to offer Thanksgiving dinners for those in need. Whether a meal by donation at the Schooner Restaurant and Lounge, or a free meal at the Dutch Mill Diner, or to-go turkey care packages from Muddy Waters, everywhere you look we are making an effort to take care of each other. Thank you to those who went the extra mile and opened their businesses and churches so that no one had to be alone on Thanksgiving.

The Chamber mission is to enhance tourism, business, and economic viability in the greater Tillamook area. We strive to be a resource and an advocate for our members, and we find our success relies on partnerships and relationships. The same immeasurable sense of community that fills bellies during the holidays keeps us running all year long – supporting and challenging us to fulfill our mission in new and greater ways.

Reflecting on all of this, I found myself thankful for the Chamber’s recent partnership with the Manzanita Visitor’s Center and the Manzanita business community during the “Cash Mob” event earlier this month. They welcomed us with open arms and were appreciative of the energy and ideas we brought, and our partnership efforts really paid off. Customers turned out in droves; many Manzanita businesses had a huge day! I look forward to future opportunities in all of our coastal communities.

Small Business Saturday, this past weekend, is another testament to the power of partnership. Our team worked closely with the SBDC office planning the day, and together we built some great relationships with small businesses throughout the county, and drew many shoppers to multiple communities. We facilitated a series of activities in the downtown area of Tillamook that were a collaboration with many small business owners. It was so exciting to see shoppers shrugging off the weather to explore what stores have to offer, and early feedback seems to be that this was a record breaking Small Business Saturday for several of the businesses. The Tillamook Revitalization Association was also a partner in this event (donating funding to help with the advertising), as was Art Accelerated, a burgeoning non-profit who put together the Pop-up Art show many were able to enjoy.

Not all of our partnerships are as visible. We were recently invited to participate in the Tillamook Urban Renewal Agency’s effort to revamp their application process. TURA is housed in Tillamook City Hall, and is essentially tasked with investing in the revitalization of the district. They offer funding opportunities for certain types of projects within their district, and have included the Chamber in their process to weigh in on how to make their programs more approachable for potential applicants. We are excited to be invited to the table, and are optimistic in where the conversations are heading.

We also have a lot to look forward to. By the end of the year, the Chamber will be in our new location downtown. It’s been a great partnership with the Tillamook County Creamery Association to share their space and their visitors, and we know that our relocation is not the end of our relationship. They have reserved space for visitor information within the new facility, and made a generous financial contribution that was essential in securing the building that is currently Bells Office Supply. The owners of BOS, Scott and Mary were thrilled to sell their building and evolve their business, and the Chamber is equally thrilled to be returning to downtown Tillamook after a 30+ year absence.

Thank you Tillamook for the opportunity to serve you.

 

 

 

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Don’t forget to make your nominations

Tillamook Chamber Recent News

Well folks, the holidays are officially upon us. You can practically hear the Christmas music in the air, and you can definitely see the seasonal displays adorning several local businesses.

For many of us, the holidays are a time to honor Christ and celebrate family traditions – from decorating your tree to roasting chestnuts over an open fire to nominating your favorite business for an annual Chamber Award. [Wait what?] If you’re thinking, that’s not one of my traditions, well then this year is a perfect time to start a new one! This is our chance to come together as a community and tell our local businesses how much we appreciate them.

Those nominated will be recognized at our annual banquet in January. But in order to do that we need you to fill out a nomination form. There are five categories: Business of the Year; Small Business of the Year; Development Project of the Year; Citizen of the Year; and Junior Citizen of the Year (under 20). All nominations are due by December 16th, 2016. That gives you a little over a month to choose a business, project, or citizen that has touched your life in a positive way.

When I stop and think about all of the development and growth we have experienced in the last year it is almost mind-boggling. From new businesses popping up left and right, to a brand new homeless shelter, to buildings being revitalized and a new skate park… The list goes on and on.

Everywhere we look there are people who are working hard to make our lives better here in Tillamook County. Let’s take a few moments to thank them, shall we? It takes time, hard work and commitment to invest in our community and they probably don’t hear “thank you” enough.

Nomination forms are available at tillamookchamber.org/awards or at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center. Again, applications must be in by Dec. 16, 2016.

The Chamber Board and myself value your input and insight. Feel free to contact us anytime at info@tillamookchamber.org.

 

 

 

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Let’s Mob Manzanita!

On November 12th, the Tillamook Area Chamber of Commerce is going to release a mob in Manzanita – a cash mob that is!

Why? We know that we have very few Chamber members in the Manzanita area. And it’s a little out of the way of what most would consider our “jurisdiction.” But sometimes you just have to set aside your policies and do what is needed. They are our neighbors to the North and when disaster hits your neighbor we all need to come together and surround them with support.

Even though it’s been weeks since the tornado struck the coastal village, the effects are still being felt by residents and businesses as they try to rebuild and shake the blow caused by the tornado. Nearly all of the businesses have been able to reopen their doors to customers – which is awesome – however, being closed for repairs can have a lasting impact on and we are planning to go up there and give them not only a shot of cash but a much needed morale booster.

This mob will be a little different from the cash mobs we’ve hosted in past years. This time, we are mobbing the entire business community! Sounds pretty exciting, right?

Here’s how it will work: The Cash Mob will run from 11 am to 4pm on November 12th. All open Manzanita businesses are fair game and you are welcome to show up and shop anytime that you please. Myself and others will be meeting first at the Manzanita Visitor’s Center, 31 Laneda Avenue, at 11 am. I encourage you to meet us there and get excited for what we are about to accomplish. Starting out as a large group brings a sense of excitement and collaboration, not only for us but for the businesses owners and employees as well. (Meeting at the Manzanita’s Visitor’s Center together also means we get to leave together and really emphasize the “mob” portion of this event. It’s fun, trust me.)

There are no rules, per say, to how much money you are supposed to spend. We do ask, however, that you spend at least $25. Plus, if you bring $50 or more in receipts back to the Manzanita Visitor’s Center we will give you a ticket for a free entree at one of many participating restaurants good for that day. And did I mention yet that several of the local businesses will be hosting drawings with awesome prizes? Yeah, it’s going to be a pretty fun day showing Manzanita a little extra love.

For more information and to help spread the word, find our Facebook event page: Manzanita Cash Mob.

We are hoping to see our community rally around Manzanita this time, but it doesn’t have to stop there. This could be the start of something awesome where we “mob” each community in Tillamook County. I have a feeling downtown Tillamook will be next – our business owners need it due to the impact of construction. So let’s have some fun, spend some money, support our neighbors, and plan to keep the energy going.

 

 

 

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We’re Moving!

Tillamook Chamber of Commerce location

The Tillamook County Creamery Association recently released their plans to build a brand new visitors center, which will be begin next Spring. This is a very exciting development for our community that will enhance the current experience for our visitors and add more capacity for destination spending.

It also means that we have to move. When you look at the plans for their new Visitor’s Center, which will be nearly 50 percent bigger than the current building, it is quite apparent that they will also need to redesign the flow of their parking lot and can no longer accommodate our building. We’ve been blessed with this location for several years now and it has served us well, but we’re excited about the new opportunities both for the Creamery and the Chamber.

Now for the really exciting part! We are moving back to downtown Tillamook!

Thanks to a considerable financial contribution from the Creamery, we were able to obtain financing to purchase the building at 208 Main Avenue, where Bells Office Supply currently resides. The generosity of the Creamery’s leadership and its Board of Directors has been phenomenal, and we wouldn’t have been able to relocate without their help. Even though they had no obligation to help us, they stepped forward in a very generous way and we are so grateful for their support.

We were able to buy the building from its owners, who have operated Bells Office Supply since 2004. Many of you may know Scott and Mary, who were excited to sell the building to the Chamber and are still contemplating where they will relocate. Scott and Mary have a valuable service to the community and we are going to make sure we do what we can to minimize impact on their business.

So what does all this mean for you? Why is it so exciting to have the Chamber back downtown? It means being able to better assist downtown customers; it means better business relations; and it means bringing the positive energy of having a Chamber in the core of downtown.

We have some exciting additions beyond visitor information for the new location, including a small retail space upfront to highlight locally-made products, a large meeting space and a business lounge.

Wait, what’s a business lounge? It’s a comfortable, open area with tall tables and comfortable seating that allows people to come in and meet with colleagues or clients. It’s perfect for those people who find themselves in town for business or in-between meetings and would love to have a landing place to do some work for a bit or get online. It will be especially beneficial for those businesses that don’t have a brick and mortar location, such as photographers, independent contractors, and so forth.

And while we will miss the opportunity to further assist visitors at the Cheese Factory, the Creamery has announced it plans to include a space for mini “visitors’ information center” inside the new facility.

Overall, I believe this is a positive change for our community and we are eagerly awaiting our move-in date this Winter. There will be a remodel phase, but I hope you’ll stop in and say hi.

The Chamber Board and myself value your input and insight. Feel free to contact us anytime at info@tillamookchamber.org.

 

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Chamber Chatter: Welcome to the team, Sierra

It is with great excitement that I announce the addition of a new, full-time employee here at the Chamber. I hope you will all join me in welcoming Sierra Lauder as the Director of Events and Downtown Development.

You may be asking yourself: Why this is such a big deal? I’ll tell you why: for the past five years I have seen what the Chamber has been able to accomplish with just two staff people and our many volunteers, and I can’t help but get excited thinking of what we can accomplish by adding Sierra to our ranks.

Sierra has her Bachelor’s degree is Social Science with an emphasis in Rural Studies and Political Science. For her senior project she wrote a grant, so we are thrilled to have her grant writing experience at the Chamber. She is an avid volunteer and sees the value in community engagement.

Sierra has worked for non-profits, government agencies and small businesses and appreciates the pros and cons of each realm. In her own words she said “I am very excited to tackle this new role that allows for me to indulge my creative energy in event development and implementation while humoring my passion for public process and civic engagement.”

Sierra has lived in Tillamook County for the last 15 years and spent the first 12 in south Tillamook County. She and her kids are often present at many community events and have enjoyed the family-friendly nature of these events. Sierra says, “I am hopeful that, as a team, we are able to continue to grow and expand those events in a sustainable way, utilizing lots of volunteer energy… I look forward to hearing the great ideas circling and finding ways to actualize them in alignment with the goals and strategic plans that exist for the downtown area.”

Sierra’s role will work very closely with the City of Tillamook as she will be managing the Main Street program on a daily basis in downtown Tillamook. If you are a downtown business owner, it is our hope that you will come to know Sierra very well. It is one of her intentions to be accessible and approachable as possible and to be a resource to you. If you are a small business owner you know that securing grant funding and complying with ordinances can be overwhelming sometimes, and one of Sierra’s roles will be to assist in increasing accessibility and providing support for businesses that are looking to grow and/or establish themselves within the community.

“I love the character of our downtown district,” she said, “and I am so looking forward to getting to meet you all in the coming weeks.”

The community is fortunate to have Sierra at the Chamber, and I look forward to seeing her energy and skills be used to make Tillamook a better place to live and do business. Monday, October 3 was her first official day on the job and she already had a to-do list that she put together with little direction from me.

If you would like to get involved in downtown Tillamook events, or just want to welcome Sierra to the team, you can reach her at sierra@tillamookchamber.org or call 503-842- 7525.