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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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Tillamook Bay Run returns Aug. 12

 

by Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director

As you plant one foot confidently in front of the other, the ocean breeze sends a refreshing gust of wind that cools your face. A crowd of people have gathered to watch as you cross the finish line. Your eyes linger a moment on the time, but what you’re even more eager for is that filling cup of Schooner clam chowder and cold Pelican brew calling your name.

If you’ve participating in the Tillamook Bay Run before, you know this feeling of satisfying accomplishment for completing one of the most unique trail runs in the state. And if you’ve yet to ever join us, maybe it’s time to mark this one off your bucket list.

The Tillamook Bay Run returns this year on Aug. 12. Registration is currently open at www.bayrun.org. Those who pre-register will receive a complimentary t shirt. You are also welcome to register the day of, however it is likely you won’t receive a runners shirt.

Each year we look at ways to improve the Bay Run, but one thing that has remained consistent is the natural beauty – and challenge – of the trail. Both the 5k and 10k begin on the wet, sandy beaches north of Cape Meares. Runners advance for several kilometers beside the ocean, before being directed inland and cutting through the natural foliage of Bayocean to the bayside of the trail. Runners and walkers will travel over wet sand, dry sand, hop over tree roots and around shrubs, and finally finish on gravel. The trail goes up and down several hills and often narrows to a single lane.

As you may know, Bayocean was once a resort-style dwelling with several homes and large structures like a natatorium, hotels, a movie theater, bowling alley and much more.. However, due to unfortunate geological issues, the integrity of the spit was compromised and buildings were washed away with the erosion. The residents of Bayocean left long before the last building fell into the sea, and much of what remained was looted. Although much of the land is still privately owned, the County oversees itsprimary use as a natural recreation area. The Tillamook Bay Run is a unique opportunity to explore this area that was once considered the Atlantic City of the West.

And of course, at the end of your endeavor, that piping hot bowl of clam chowder courtesy of the Schooner Restaurant in Netarts and cold Pelican Brewing microbrew (21+) will be waiting you!

Scovel Racing will be coordinating and tracking the results of the race again this year. Prizes are handed out by age divisions and include cash, medals and gift baskets courtesy of local businesses.

The race begins at 10 a.m. To register before the race or to learn more, visit www.bayrun.org.

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Why July is the perfect time to register for Ireland

 

By Justin Aufdermauer

Executive Director

July is a particularly special time along the coast, where we have not one but four incredible firework displays, and equally as many parades and festivals happening all over the county. From Wiener Dog races to the Dory Days Celebration, there is almost always something fun going on.

July is also the perfect month to register for our Ireland trip in April of 2018. If you sign up before the end of July, you can take advantage of our July promotion and receive $100 off your registration costs. We already have 22 people registered and spots are filling up quickly. So if you’ve been on the fence about whether or not you want to come with us, don’t hesitate much longer. My advice would be to find someone who attended our recent China trip and talk to them about their experience. Or just come in and talk to Sierra and myself, because we could go on for hours about what a beneficial trip it was – both as a Chamber fundraiser, but more importantly as a community- and friendship-building excursion. It turns out when you take 65 people from Tillamook to a foreign country, great things can happen. We anticipate our Ireland trip will be no different in terms of the number of people, but what is different is the amount of flexibility built into the trip. You can add additional stops or tours, and even use your frequent flier miles to get there. Or, stay a couple of extra days after the official tour wraps up. It’s an opportunity to travel as a group and still individualize the trip to fit your personal preferences. You will have the option to customize your trip for additional costs, and may decide to visit a traditional Irish music and dance show while we’re in County Kerry, or attend a banquet dinner in a 17th-century castle overlooking Galway Bay.  

Our 11-day tour of Ireland will explore the island’s rich culture by visiting several of its cities and exploring the beautiful landscape.  The tour includes nine nights in handpicked hotels, breakfast served daily, a private deluxe motor coach and guided sightseeing. Travelers will be treated to 40 shades of green in Ireland, local pubs and fresh pints, friendly locals, and historical sites.  

We will begin in historic Dublin, that includes the opportunity to step inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral and view the remains of a 6th century church.Then, the tour group will spend two nights in County Cork. We will see a world-class racehorse farm, and tour the iconic Rock of Cashel that dates back to the 12th century. On the second day, the group will visit the town of Cobh and experience the Cobh Heritage Centre. Then, we’ll make a stop at Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone. And while kissing the stone isn’t a requirement, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and you can bet a bunch of us will be puckering up.

From there the group will spend two nights in County Kerry, stopping along the way to tour a Victorian mansion. On day seven, we will make our way around the Ring of Kerry, a 112-mile coastal route that covers Ireland’s most spectacular scenery. Next comes a two-night stay in Galway, with more chances to visit historic castles, and a walk along the coastline of the Cliffs of Moher. Here we also get a full free day to explore on our own and soak in the Irish culture.

And finally, the trip concludes in Dublin, stopping at the historic Kilbeggan Distillery for an Irish whisky tasting – because no trip to Ireland is complete without a bit of whiskey.

For more information about Ireland and how to take advantage of our special July promotion, contact Sierra Lauder at sierra@tillamookchamber.org, or call our office at 503-842-7525.

 

 

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Tickets on sale for 2017 Cork & Brew Tour in downtown Tillamook

Tickets are on sale for the 2017 Cork & Brew Tour, hosted once again by the Tillamook Area Chamber of Commerce.

Patrons of this annual event on June 16 will notice a few exciting changes this year. Most notable is the expansion of the launch party at Pelican Brewing Co.’s brand new bottling facility on the corner of Front Street and Grove Avenue. The launch party kicks off at 4:30 p.m. and “tour-ists” will be treated to live music, games, and brewery tours. Several of Pelican’s pro-brewers will be on hand to show guests around the expanded facility and provide samples and tastes of the different grains, malts and hops that define each style of beer. Tours are aimed to shed light on the brewing process and what goes into making their award-winning beer for the last 20 years.

At the launch party, each guest will receive a “passport,” that contains a list of the stops on the tour and highlights the breweries, wineries and restaurants that will be served. Several wineries will be on hand with bottles available for purchase of your favorite vintages- if you decide to fill your cellar, have no fear! Hosting businesses have agreed to hold any purchased bottles for pick up another day.

The official tour will begin at 6 p.m. and includes up to 12 downtown stops, each with a different wine or beer to sample and scrumptious appetizers to complement the beverages. New this year will be a stop at the Chamber’s new downtown location. This is a perfect opportunity to see the remodel up close and personal, view the new Visitor Information Center, and welcome the Chamber to downtown.

“We get excited for this event every year,” noted Sierra Lauder, the Director of Events and Downtown Development for the Chamber. “This year feels particularly exciting because we at the Chamber get to participate on a new level by being a tour stop and welcoming people to our downtown office.”

Lauder added that the goal of the Cork & Brew Tour event is to get people to experience downtown in a memorable way.

“You don’t have to go downtown to buy things,” she said. “We all know that you can do all, or most, of your shopping online. But you come downtown because it’s fun and it’s an experience. This event is both of those things – it’s a fun experience and hopefully it kindles your desire to come back to enjoy our downtown again in the future.”

In addition to Pelican, early confirmations have arrived from Fort George Brewing (Astoria;) Buoy Beer Company (Astoria); newcomers Werner Brewing Co. (Tillamook); and Reach Break Brewing out of Astoria, as well as McMenamins, Provincial Vineyards and DavenLore. In addition to these sponsors, the Chamber wants to make a point to thank Warrenton KIA, who is a Presenting Sponsor for the event.

Art Accelerated has graciously agreed to host the passport drop box right downtown, where they will host music, coffee and tea and some of the latest creations of local artists. All completed passports (one stamp for each participating location) can be dropped off before 9:30 p.m. and entered to win a prize.

Tickets are $35 a piece and can be purchased online at www.tillamookchamber.org or by visiting the Chamber office, Pelican Brewing Co.’s downtown Tillamook Tap Room, or Sunflower Flats. The event is expected to sell out again, so be sure to buy your tickets in advance.

For more information, contact the Tillamook Area Chamber of Commerce at info@tillamookchamber.org or call 503-842-7525.

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A new parade route and more fun surprises this June Dairy Parade

Oregon Tillamook June Dairy Parade

By Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director

Check your weather app folks, because summer is finally starting to poke its head through from behind the clouds. So don’t be surprised to hear that we are amping up for the annual June Dairy Parade and Festival. This year’s theme is “60 years on the MOOVE.”

There are a couple of major changes to the parade this year, some of which you may have heard about already and hopefully this will answer any questions you may have. The biggest change is that the parade will be moving in reverse from what it has historically done in the past. In other words, the official starting point will be at Main and 11th, and it will end at Goodspeed Park (see the route map.)

We’re doing this for a variety of reasons but the largest is to help accommodate traffic along Hwy 101, which typically starts to build up by 11:30 a.m. We worked with both the City Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office to brainstorm a solution that would eliminate that annual traffic gridlock. Now we can get the parade entries off of Highway 101 quicker and open it up sooner to traffic.

We also will be turning down Third Street, instead of rounding the corner at Second Street, which has been the tradition. That’s because that section of Second Street (soon to be the plaza) will be the stage for this year’s Dairy Festival. The Festival will begin promptly at 11:45 and go until 4 p.m.

This year’s Festival will again have several fun family activities hosted by local businesses, including live music and a community barbecue co-hosted by Chef Nelia and the Tillamook Fire Department and sponsored by Warrenton Kia. Other fun activities include a Tillawheels car show, the ever-popular Penny Scramble, and a special appearance by Tillamook’s budding roller derby league. Come learn more about this grass roots roller derby movement in Tillamook and meet some of the skaters. We are also working with the Farm Bureau to coordinate a petting zoo for that day as well. Hoping that comes to life, after all it is a dairy festival.

As always, plan to make a day of celebrating The Dairylands in one of our first community event of the summer. If you need a parade float application, you can pick them up at our office, located at 208 Main Street.  Please have your entry returned by May 30th.

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. Both can be found at www.tillamookchamber.org/junedairy.

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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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March 3 Hwy Project Update

With all of the big crane work underway, and the focus of activity being trained on the Hoquarton Bridge and its surrounds, watching the big bridge puzzle pieces, along with the lesser, more functional components such as the waterlines, get assembled in slow motion, an observer can easily fail to notice that there are flashes of other construction hotspots popping up around the community as well.

Everything is gearing up for the multi-textured and colored concrete pours on Second Street between Main and Pacific.  The treewells are being laid out with electrical junction boxes included so that the community can host events in the new festival plaza that is being created with power available for sound, lighting, and possibly even food carts or other specialties.  An informational kiosk is targeted to land in front of the electrical meterbank on the northeast corner of 2nd and Main and there is a jut-out being formed on the southeast corner of 2nd and Main that will be plumbed for a future fountain.  A covered bikerack will be located on the southwest corner of 2nd and Pacific.

Currently, this future plaza does not have a formal name, but the City’s Beautification Committee is meeting on Monday, March 13 at 4:45 PM to discuss ideas on what to name this plaza, so if you have ideas, please submit them to City Hall in writing before the time of that meeting.  The name, whatever it turns out to be, is going to help set the tone for the future of the downtown and have a legacy that carries forward for decades and so your ideas are encouraged.

Over east, the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad has completed their review of the plans for the upcoming Port railroad bridge reconfiguration and has signed off on a bicycle/pedestrian bridge that parallels the track that they lease.  The City is excited about this potential future partnership that will eventually tie together at a rail platform in Goodspeed Park next to the Skatepark.  The hope is that someday visitors can get on and off a train there, grab a bus or launch off down the path to the waterfront area for some nature exploring or stopping in at our local downtown attractions.  Or if they are truly adventurous, throw down a skateboard and go sailing.

As to the slow sidewalk improvements along Pacific, ODOT and the contractor are currently investigating options to expedite their construction to ensure completion by Memorial Day.  This will require some alteration of the original projection of one month per blockface.  Both the Chamber and City are pressing for a more aggressive schedule that will meet that original target.

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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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 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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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.