The Tillamook Area Chamber of Commerce is officially opening nominations for the 2027 Annual Community Awards Banquet, set for Saturday, January 23, 2027!
Across Tillamook County, so much impactful work happens quietly behind the scenes. From local businesses giving back and volunteers dedicating countless hours to individuals stepping up for their neighbors and leaders working to strengthen our communities, these people and projects make a lasting difference.
Our annual Community Awards celebration is all about recognizing these unsung heroes and the incredible contributions that make Tillamook County a better place to live, work, and grow. But uncovering these stories starts with you!
How Nominations Work
All businesses, civic projects, and individuals operating within Tillamook County are eligible for nomination. Please note that for the Development Project of the Year award, the primary development must be completed by December 31, 2026.
To preserve the integrity of the awards, honorees are selected by an independent committee of local community members rather than Chamber staff. Every nomination is thoughtfully reviewed to help ensure the recipients truly reflect the outstanding people, businesses, and projects that make our county special.
Need a little inspiration? Take a look back at our 2026 award recipients and the meaningful contributions that earned them recognition:
- Citizen of the Year — Barbara McCann: A driving force behind the North County Recreation District since 1995, Barbara led the successful campaign to save the historic building and pool for community use, helping establish a lasting recreation district.
- Business of the Year — Tillamook Grocery Outlet: Beyond providing accessible, high-quality groceries for local household budgets, the store’s owners and staff foster job growth, generously support local charities, and contribute to family well-being throughout the county.
- Small Business of the Year — Oregon Coast Bank: A hands-on financial partner that consistently goes beyond traditional banking by investing time, funding, and personal engagement in local nonprofit initiatives.
- Program of the Year — Tillamook Bay Community College Nursing Program: Addressing rural healthcare shortages by training local healthcare professionals, this vital program has achieved exceptional first-time licensure pass rates while helping residents pursue high-wage careers close to home.
- Development Project of the Year — National Bank Building: An outstanding downtown Tillamook revitalization project featuring ground-floor retail and office suites for local entrepreneurs, along with upper-story housing.
Who has inspired you this past year? Which local business consistently goes above and beyond? What project has made a lasting difference in our community? We want to hear about them!
Take a moment to recognize the people and projects making a difference by submitting your nominations online before the deadline of December 18, 2026.
Submit Your Nomination: tillamookchamber.org/nominate
Mark your calendar for Saturday, January 23, 2027, as we come together to celebrate the people, businesses, and projects that make Tillamook County an exceptional place to live, work, and grow.
Tickets for the 2027 Annual Community Awards Banquet will go on sale soon. We look forward to celebrating our community’s heroes with you!