Tillamook Holiday Light Parade
Introducing: The Tillamook Chamber Chatter Podcast
At the Tillamook Chamber, we believe every business has a story worth telling. These are the stories of passion and purpose that shape our local economy and define the unique spirit of what makes Tillamook County so great. We’re excited (and a little nervous) to announce the launch of our new podcast, Tillamook Chamber Chatter Podcast, a platform dedicated to sharing these incredible stories with you in a relaxed conversation style interview!
In today’s fast-paced world, it can be hard to truly connect with the people who make our community thrive. We created this podcast to bring those conversations directly to you, whether you’re commuting to work, enjoying a walk, or relaxing at home. Our mission is simple: to shine a spotlight on our Chamber members—the businesses, organizations, and individuals who are the heart and soul of Tillamook County.
Each episode will feature a conversation with a different member, allowing them to share their journey of coming to be a business owner here in Tillamook County. You’ll hear about their successes, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the big ideas that drive them. By connecting you with the people behind our local businesses, we hope to foster deeper relationships, spark new collaborations, and celebrate the innovative spirit that makes Tillamook County truly special.
Beyond showcasing our wonderful members, we’ll give you a behind-the-scenes look at the Tillamook Chamber. Tune in for insights into our latest initiatives, key projects, and our ongoing efforts to support local business growth and community development.
We invite you to tune in! Find and subscribe to the Tillamook Chamber Chatter on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Our first full episode drops mid-October!
Support Local and Win This Holiday Season
The holiday season is just around the corner, and we can already feel the excitement! This year, skip the last-minute shopping panic and get a head start on your gift list. By shopping small, you can support our local community, find unique gifts, and make a big difference right here at home.
And here’s a challenge from us at the Chamber: get out there and discover a new-to-you Tillamook County shop you’ve never explored before! You might be surprised by the amazing, one-of-a-kind items you find—the perfect fit for someone on your list.
The Shop Small Sweepstakes is the perfect way to turn your shopping trips into winning opportunities! From October 1st to December 31st, every time you shop at a locally-owned business in Tillamook County, you’ll be entered to win a weekly gift card or the grand prize of $1,000 in Sweepstakes Bucks.
This isn’t just about winning prizes; it’s about investing in the heart of our community. When you shop locally, you’re directly supporting your neighbors, friends, and family. It’s an easy way to help our community thrive, especially during the slower seasons.
We want to give a huge thank you to this year’s generous sponsors: Oregon Coast Bank, JLT Construction, and Sand Dollar Restaurant and Lounge, for making this possible!
How to Enter
Ready to get started? It’s simple.
- Shop Local: Make a purchase at any locally-owned business in Tillamook County. Every coffee run, dinner out, or gift purchase(for yourself or others) counts!
- Save Your Receipts: Your receipts are your ticket to winning. You can enter one receipt per day, every day of the sweepstakes.
- Enter to Win: Choose one of two easy ways to enter:
- Drop off your receipt at the Chamber HQ, located at 208 Main Avenue in downtown Tillamook.
- Snap a photo of your receipt and text it along with your name to 503-664-0017.
Stay in the Loop
Curious about who’s winning and what’s happening? Be sure to follow the Chamber on Facebook. You can also join the Shop Tillamook Facebook group to discover special deals from local businesses and share your finds with fellow shoppers.
The sweepstakes officially kicks off on Wednesday, October 1st. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the help desk at the Chamber HQ at 503-842-7525.
Let’s make this holiday season special by celebrating our community and shopping small!
The Value of Mornings on Main
From updates to community connections, Mornings on Main is your monthly snapshot of what’s happening in Tillamook County.
Do you ever see our monthly reminder for Mornings on Main and wonder what it’s all about? While the promise of fresh, hot coffee is a great reason to join us here at the Chamber HQ’s on the third Tuesday of each month, this gathering is so much more than a morning snack. It’s a chance to get a real-time, in-the-moment scoop on what’s happening in and around our county.
Mornings on Main is a very engaging way to connect and learn directly from fellow business owners, non-profits, and community leaders. We kick off at 8:00 a.m. and go around the room, giving each person one to two minutes to share any upcoming events, sales, or information. There are no formal speakers; the spotlight is on you! We usually try to wrap it up at 9:00 a.m. so you can buzz out of here to carry on with your day, or stay and network.
You’ll be amazed by the variety of information shared. One month, a local realtor might provide a quick update on the housing market, followed by what’s playing next at the Tillamook Coliseum and details about an upcoming fundraiser. The next month, you could hear about upcoming emergency preparedness drills, new classes at a local dance studio for all ages, or an inspiring story from a non-profit about their work with veterans. The topics are always different and reflect a true cross-section of Tillamook life, making every gathering unique.
The best part is watching new connections form. Someone might share a need for volunteers, and you’ll see another person’s face light up with a solution. The conversations over coffee after the round robin style often lead to new partnerships, friendships, and great collaborations. There’s something special about being face-to-face with others who share the same common goal- a thriving community. If you’re curious to see it for yourself, join us on the next third Tuesday. It’s an easy, low-pressure way to get connected and see what makes our community so special.
We are incredibly grateful for our lead sponsor, Matt Cole from DirectLine-IT. His ongoing support is what makes this event possible, and we truly appreciate his generosity.
And for all that delicious, hot coffee you enjoy each week, we have the team at Starbucks of Tillamook to thank! They generously keep us all caffeinated.
If you have any questions about Mornings on Main feel free to reach out to Meg at meg@tillamookchamber.org for more details.
Second Main Street Grant to Revitalize Downtown Tillamook
I’m sure you’ve noticed the eye catching transformation happening on the corner of Pacific Avenue and Second Street, adjacent to the Henson Plaza as you make your way through downtown Tillamook. The historic National Bank Building has received a fantastic new facelift, thanks to the vision of local business owner and developer, Terry Philips. After a complete renovation, the building has a fresh new look. The clean white and gray paint job and new retail/ office space are just the beginning of some really exciting news for Downtown Tillamook.
Earlier this year, the Tillamook Chamber of Commerce applied for an Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant on behalf of Terry’s project. We were thrilled to learn that we secured a substantial $250,000 to help get this project going and address a critical need here in Tillamook.
So, what exactly does that mean for our community? This grant will be a huge help in transforming the upper floor of the National Bank Building into new apartments, including an ADA-accessible unit on the bottom level that will be easily accessible from Pacific Avenue. We all know how critical the need for housing is, and this project is a big step toward addressing that.
Some of you might remember that the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant Program also helped another local business owner and developer, Lisa Greiner, owner of the Oregon Coast Dance Center. She was awarded $200,000 from the OMSRGP in 2019 to kick-start her downtown housing project. After a lengthy but rewarding renovation, the Jones-Knudson apartments above her dance studio were finished and fully occupied earlier this year. The Chamber celebrated with Lisa and those involved in the process during a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially commemorate the completion of this project on February 8th, 2025. This milestone’s success is a powerful example of how these grants can boost vitality in the downtown community.
The Chamber is honored to play a role in working with these motivated developers. We love helping them secure the funds needed to turn their passion and vision into a reality, making downtown Tillamook a more inviting and thriving place to live, work, and play. There’s nothing better than seeing a great idea become a reality while also meeting a real need in our community.Â
Ray Monroe Named Grand Marshal of 2025 June Dairy Parade
Ray Monroe, a lifelong Tillamook County resident and dedicated advocate for natural resources and the agricultural community, has been named the Grand Marshal of the 2025 June Dairy Parade. Ray’s deep roots in the county and extensive contributions to the local dairy industry and community make him a fitting choice for this honored role.
A Sandlake, Oregon native, Ray grew up immersed in the local fishing and farming communities, attending Beaver Grade School and graduating from Nestucca High School. He helped raise six children, the youngest of whom recently graduated from college.
Ray’s most significant professional contributions have been to the Tillamook County dairy industry. Since 1996, he has served with the Tillamook County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). In this role, he plays a crucial part in distributing Farm Bill funds to natural resource users across Tillamook County. He works hand-in-hand with dairy farmers, assisting them in developing and implementing comprehensive farm plans. Furthermore, Ray is instrumental in securing grant funding that empowers dairy farmers to protect, improve, and care for natural resources, ensuring their sustainability for future generations.
As an advocate for landowner rights, Ray firmly supports the right to farm while simultaneously guiding landowners in complying with crucial Federal, state, and local regulations. His balanced approach shows his commitment to both agricultural prosperity and environmental stewardship.
Ray’s commitment extends far beyond his professional life, encompassing a wide array of activities and community involvements. He is an active member of the Pacific City Dorymen’s Association, the Pacific Fishery Management Council, the ODFW Restoration and Enhancement Board, the Oregon Coastal Zone Management Association, and the Ocean Policy Advisory Committee. His dedication to local agriculture is evident through his involvement with the Oregon Salmon Commission, the Tillamook Working Lands and Waters Cooperative, and the Oregon Farm Bureau. Demonstrating his compassionate spirit, he has also volunteered with the Oregon and Tillamook food banks and has been a key participant in distributing Christmas baskets in the past.
When not tirelessly working for the community, Ray enjoys the simple pleasures of coastal life including dory fishing, clamming, crabbing, and gardening. These pursuits connect him deeply to the natural beauty and resources of Tillamook County.
Congratulations, Ray!!