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Small Business Saturday is coming, and it’s going to be HUGE

By Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director

This is one of my favorite times of the year. Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and so many members of our community will be gathering with friends and family far and wide to break bread and celebrate the holiday and tradition of coming together with grateful hearts.

For many, Thanksgiving marks the start of the holiday shopping season, which is why Small Business Saturday was created as a way to remind people to shop local and support their local economy when looking for holiday gifts, decorations, Christmas cards, and more.

We celebrate Small Business Saturday every year in Tillamook, and every year we encourage our downtown core to get involved and make it a fun-filled day for shoppers. This year,  they’ve truly outdone themselves with events, contests, sales, and more. Here are just a few of the things going on:

Turkey Trot: This event is on Friday, Nov. 24. And while it’s not on Small Business Saturday, it is sure to get your heart rate up after the big Thanksgiving meal the day before and prepare you for the full day of eating and shopping on Saturday. The fun run/walk starts at Tillamook Ford, 501 Main Avenue at 9am. Bring a can of food for the Tillamook County Food Bank for entry.

Bloody Mary Bar at Rendezvous: Start the day off with a tasty Bloody Mary at the Rendezvous Cabaret, 214 Pacific Avenue. Donna will be serving up this traditional breakfast drink starting at 8 a.m. as well as her tempting breakfast items.

Brunch at Pacific Restaurant: Join chefs Neila and Phil for a world-class brunch experience from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults. And nothing goes better with brunch than mimosas, so come thirsty too.

Cupcake Decorating at Sarasotas: A little hands-on fun for the whole family. Learn the art of decorating cupcakes with our experienced baker and decorator extraordinaire. The fun will begin at 1 p.m. and you can join them until 3 p.m.

Gift Tag Workshop with Art Accelerated: Even if you’re not the type to do homemade gifts, you can still consider homemade gift tags. This mini workshop from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. is open to all ages and skill levels and is free to participate. So come visit with the artists, play with the art supplies on hand, and maybe even find some inspiration.

Gingerbread House Building Competition: From 1 p.m. – 2 p.m., YoTime will be hosting a contest for best gingerbread house. Teams of four are asked to register with Sierra before Saturday, and basic gingerbread house building supplies will be provided. The actual contest will kick off at 1:30 p.m. and a winner will be determined by audience applause.

Visit with Santa at Homelife Furniture: Santa will be kicking back in a cozy chair at Homelife Furniture from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and he’s ready to visit with your children and review their Christmas lists. This event is free and parents are welcome to take photos.

As if that isn’t enough to entice to you to spend your day downtown, we are also having a #Contstuctdowntown Sweepstakes promotion! We are lifting the one receipt per day rule for Small Business Saturday. This Saturday only the Chamber office will be open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and will be validating EVERY receipt you have from the day for an entry into both the weekly #Contstructdowntown Sweepstakes and the $1,000 grand prize drawings. The more places you shop on Saturday, the more chances you have of winning Tillamook swag that we will draw for that evening and the $1,000 grand prize drawing around the New Year!

To find out more specifics about each shop’s sales and specials, pick up a pamphlet at any of our local downtown businesses. Sierra started distributing them yesterday and they are a comprehensive guide to help shoppers get the most out of their time downtown.

 

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Head downtown, where summer is still in full swing

by Sierra Lauder

Despite the passing of another spectacular fair and the school registration deadlines last week, summer is still in full swing on Main Street. Our Visitor’s Center is officially open at 208 Main Ave., and the last month has been a flurry of activity as visitors and locals alike have come to see us to talk about eclipse glasses, camping opportunities and upcoming events. We have been blessed with the weather this summer, and I am personally crossing my fingers that luck and sun continue to shine down on us as we look to September.

Construction downtown will begin on Main Street this week, and as a person who is working and living right in the middle of it – I get it. It’s not that fun. I want to share my top-secret insider tip: park off of 101. The lots along Ivy – just one very thin block west of Main – have spaces available all day, every day. Businesses are open and there is so much to do and see all around downtown in the coming weeks.

Saturday, August 26th, at 6:30 in the evening, Art Accelerated is hosting their monthly Open Mic night at Yo Time. If you haven’t made it to one of these I would totally suggest it. Each month new and different performers come and share music, poetry and stories that remind us of all the best things about being human. That night is also movie night! Join your neighbors and friends to see the “Princess Bride” on August 26th at 8:15 p.m. in front of City Hall. This is the last movie of the summer, and it’s a good one. Did you know it’s the 30th anniversary of the Princess Bride this year?

It’s also time to get your tickets for Oktoberfest! The Monday Musical Club of Tillamook presents this celebration of food, drink, music and dancing on the Second Street Plaza in downtown Tillamook, raising money for their annual cultural events series and high school scholarships. Don’t let the name “Oktoberfest” fool you – this event is actually set for Saturday, September 9th, from noon to 6 p.m., and tickets are only $10.

Pelican Brewing Company is also hosting a huge event in September, the “Salmon Run.” Set for Saturday, September 23rd, the 5k/10k run/walk will begin and end at the Tap Room on the corner of 1st and Stillwell, and they have been planning this block party for months! Even if you are not a runner, this event promises to be a blast. We are expecting more than one thousand people to turn out for the fundraiser event. Registration is open all the way up to the day of the big event.

Amid all of these bigger events, individual businesses continue to host their own events and sales. So Chic Boutique is hosting their summer clearance sale, Pacific Restaurant is on the verge of opening any day, and Lucky Bear Soap Co. has some great summer deals. If you need cupcakes for a party, Sarasota’s continues to amaze with both beautiful and delicious treats. Anderson’s Florists and Sunflower Flats are cranking out gorgeous arrangements in the height of wedding season. I regularly pass families taking advantage of the milkshake happy hour at The Dutch Mill, and Fat Dog Pizza and The Local Dog House keep the pups around here well fed. Thank you for supporting these downtown businesses, and I hope you take a moment to pop in to Chamber Headquarters when you’re in the neighborhood.

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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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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: Vote No on Measure 97

Last week your voter’s pamphlet was delivered to your home. Hopefully you had a chance to flop through it and educate yourself on some of the important issues facing both our country and our state.

One that is getting a lot of attention lately is Measure 97 – the corporate sales tax. Chambers all across the state are urging voters to vote No on this measure, and I’d like to share with you a few of the reasons why.

First of all, advertisements and letters of support for Measure 97 claim that Oregon will be gaining roughly $5 million for schools, seniors, roads, bridges, public safety and healthcare. However, there is absolutely no language written into this measure that allocates the money to these services. In fact, Katherine Driessen, a spokesperson for the group sponsoring Measure 97, was quoted as saying “If the Constitution requires some diversion away from the will of the voters—directing the money to schools, healthcare, and senior services—that’s for the courts to decide.” When push comes to shove, there is nothing stopping the State of Oregon from using this new revenue for whatever it wants.

Propaganda in favor of Measure 97 claims that Oregon already has the lowest corporate taxes in the entire country. This is a lie. Top statutory corporate tax rates in the country range from 4% – 12%. Oregon ranks 7.6%– already on the high end.

Some are also spinning this proposed hidden sales tax into a workforce issue, claiming that our youth need more and better education (which this measure will allegedly fund but remember, that’s not written anywhere) in order to fill jobs when they are older. While it’s true that we do hear from small business owners around the state that one of their largest concern is a lack of workforce, but it is not because the current workforce didn’t receive enough class hours in grade school. Implying that we aren’t able to fill jobs because our children are uneducated is quite absurd. These are two separate issues and need to be addressed as such.

In fact, the Legislative Revenue Office, a non-partisan State office comprised of economists, reported that Measure 97 would inevitable result in a decrease in private-sector jobs. They also reported that the most significantly-impacted population will be low-income families. Now I ask you, how will job loss help our state’s workforce issue?

But possibly the part that worries me the most is when our leaders at the state level admit that Measure 97 has its problems and needs some “fine tuning.” Why would we pass a measure that is admittedly problematic? And based on the recent sessions, do we trust the current legislation to have the political will to fairly fine tune it after it’s passed? We are fortunate to have a few great elected officials, but as a whole Salem is not operating on behalf of its constituents.

In short, voting yes on Measure 97 is the equivalent of setting yourself on fire because you’re cold. It’s extreme. It’s harsh. And it will get the job done, but at what cost?

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.