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A Monthly Opportunity for Connection at the Tillamook Chamber

Written by: Meg Angier, Membership and Community Partnerships Manager

Two years ago, I attended my first Mornings on Main Street meeting at the Tillamook Chamber while working for Rob Trost Real Estate. At the time, attending anything related to marketing was my priority for representing RTRE, and these meetings sounded like the perfect way to do so. What I didn’t realize was that this would be something I was going to look forward to month after month. Not only does this monthly meeting offer a great chance to promote your business, but it also encourages connections with other businesses and grows your circle.

These meetings allow you to introduce yourself to the group and talk for 1-2 minutes about anything you like, whether you have an event that you’d like to promote, a job opening you’re looking to fill, or an update in your industry. The best part about these meetings is that you can choose to use the 1-2 minutes to talk, or you can pass the timer to your neighbor. There is a reason for you to join us each month, even if you don’t know it yet! If you are a new business owner, recently hired as a manager, or someone wanting to feel more connected to the community, this would be the meeting I hope you consider adding to your monthly calendar. 

Recently, several regular attendees have shared success stories that all stemmed from connections made at Mornings on Main. Steve Clause, the new YMCA CEO, joined us during his very first week on the job. Through a connection made at the meeting with St. Peter Church Lutheran Church, the YMCA has since acquired the church property and has exciting plans in the works for its future. Lia Shimada, the new pastor at St. Alban’s, attended Mornings on Main shortly after arriving in the community to meet new people. As a result of conversations at the meeting, she was able to help St. Alban’s transition to a bank that better fits their needs. Brian Vitulli from the Transportation District joins us each month to provide updates on transportation services supporting Tillamook County. Recently, he connected with Jeremy from Pacific Coast Pressure Washing, who attended Mornings on Main to explore opportunities and learn more about the Transportation District’s building. 

In addition to fostering meaningful connections, information about upcoming events shared during Mornings on Main is gathered by Sayde Walker and featured on her Hometown News segment on 95.9 KTIL. This partnership helps amplify local happenings and spread the word about events taking place throughout Tillamook County.

Mornings on Main continues to demonstrate how a simple monthly gathering can spark meaningful connections that can positively impact organizations in ways you might never expect. We hope to see you there for our next meeting on Tuesday, March 17th – St. Patrick’s Day attire is welcome and encouraged! 

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Celebrate Excellence, Nominate for Our Annual Community Awards!

It’s time to start the search for the unsung heroes of our community!

The Tillamook Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce our Annual Community Awards Banquet, set for Saturday, January 24th, 2026, at 5:30 pm. This special evening is dedicated to honoring the heart and soul of Tillamook County: the dedicated individuals, businesses, and projects that elevate and inspire us all.

To ensure every deserving contribution is recognized, we are relying on you! Be the one to spot and nominate those who are truly making a difference in our County!

It is through your nominations that we discover the unsung heroes and shining stars among us. We want to hear about the businesses that consistently go above and beyond, the individuals who tirelessly volunteer their time, and the projects that are shaping a brighter future for everyone in Tillamook.

All businesses, projects, and individuals throughout Tillamook County are eligible for nomination. Please note that for the Development Project of the Year, the primary development must be completed by December 31st, 2025, to be eligible.

We know that our county is brimming with incredible talent and dedication, and while we receive a high volume of nominations each year, we want to assure you that every single nomination is valued. To ensure fairness and truly reflect the best of Tillamook, the honorees are carefully chosen by a selection committee composed of community members, not Chamber staff. This independent committee reviews each submission, ensuring the final list truly represents the outstanding spirit of our area.

We are continually astonished by the positive impact being made county-wide. The powerful stories of remarkable businesses and dedicated individuals remind us just how wonderful and resilient Tillamook County is. To spark your inspiration and showcase the kind of excellence we are searching for, we wanted to briefly recap some of our inspiring winners from last year, demonstrating the people and projects that make our community shine:

Citizen of the Year: Kaylan Sisco. A true community leader, Kaylan revitalized the local YMCA, transforming it into a welcoming hub that fosters inclusivity and rebuilds trust. His dedication to repurposing the former bowling alley into the Pastega Activity Center has provided a safe and engaging space for kids, addressing a vital need with creativity and compassion.

Small Business Community Award Winner: Tillamook Tire! A third-generation family business, Tillamook Tire has been a trusted part of our community for decades, delivering expert tire services with hustle and heart. Whether it’s a quick tire change, budget-friendly used tires, or mobile service that meets customers where they are, their team always goes the extra mile.

Large Business of the Year: The Mook at Alderbrook! The Mook at Alderbrook has quickly become an integral part of our community, thanks to the support of locals and the dedication of its new ownership partners. By enhancing the existing course, they’ve transformed it into a beautiful and exciting destination for both residents and visitors to enjoy.

Program of the Year Community Award Winner: The Tillamook High School Drag Racing Club! This club isn’t just about speed; it’s about responsibility, teamwork, and leadership. Through hands-on experience, students learn to maintain their race car, secure sponsorships from local businesses, and tackle real-world challenges, all while keeping their grades up.

Development Project of the Year: The Pastega Activity Center! The PAC is more than just a space; it’s a testament to vision, generosity, and community spirit. Thanks to Kaylan Sisco, former CEO of the YMCA, a dedicated Board of Directors, and a generous legacy gift from the Mario and Alma Pastega Family Foundation, the PAC has become a vital hub for all ages in Tillamook.

We know there are countless others in our community who deserve similar recognition, and that is precisely why your nominations are so incredibly important!

Who in Tillamook County has made a significant impact? Which business consistently provides exceptional service? What project has truly transformed our area for the better? Don’t let these deserving individuals and organizations go unnoticed. Take a moment to think about the people and projects that make you proud to call Tillamook home, and then take action!

Nominate today and help us celebrate the best of Tillamook County! Nominations will close on December 19th, so don’t wait! tillamookchamber.org/nominate

Let’s make the 2026 Annual Community Awards Banquet our most inspiring celebration yet.



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Driving Downtown Vibrancy Through New Connections

Written by: Meg Angier, Membership and Community Partnerships Manager

As I approach my one-year anniversary with the Tillamook Chamber of Commerce, I’ve been reflecting on how much I’ve learned in such a short time. This past month, I had the opportunity to attend two incredible professional development experiences – the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce Conference and the Oregon Main Street Conference – on behalf of the Tillamook Chamber. Both events connected me with chamber professionals and community leaders from across the state, offering fresh perspectives on how towns similar in size to Tillamook approach business engagement, economic development, and community growth.

Throughout both conferences, I participated in sessions that focused on collaborative policymaking, strengthening local economies, and creative ways to engage businesses through events and storytelling. One session that particularly stood out to me was titled “Experiences Are the New Downtown Anchor.” It explored how communities across Oregon are partnering with local businesses to design events and activities that prioritize local participation and build a sense of place.

I found this especially exciting because we’re already seeing the benefits of that approach through our growing Sip + Shop event, held the second Friday of each month from 5–7 p.m. Events like this not only drive foot traffic downtown but also give businesses an opportunity to showcase their personality and connect directly with locals. The session also offered inspiration on how to creatively utilize vacant or underused spaces for community gatherings. This concept directly influenced how we’re activating Henson Plaza this year for our Downtown Trick or Treat event on Thursday, October 31, from 3–5 p.m. Chamber members without a downtown storefront will have the opportunity to hand out candy and engage with families right in the heart of downtown.

These conferences reminded me that community development is about connection—between businesses, residents, and shared spaces. I returned home with new tools, creative strategies, and a deeper understanding of how to strengthen partnerships throughout Tillamook. I’m excited to continue building on the strong foundation we’ve already laid and to bring new ideas forward that celebrate collaboration, local pride, and the unique spirit of our community. I am so grateful for this opportunity and look forward to continuing to expand on my skills and professional development. If you have an idea or would like to talk about ways we can collaborate, please reach out to me at Meg@TillamookChamber.org or stop by our office on Main Street.

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Second Main Street Grant to Revitalize Downtown Tillamook

I’m sure you’ve noticed the eye catching transformation happening on the corner of Pacific Avenue and Second Street, adjacent to the Henson Plaza as you make your way through downtown Tillamook. The historic National Bank Building has received a fantastic new facelift, thanks to the vision of local business owner and developer, Terry Philips. After a complete renovation, the building has a fresh new look. The clean white and gray paint job and new retail/ office space are just the beginning of some really exciting news for Downtown Tillamook.

Earlier this year, the Tillamook Chamber of Commerce applied for an Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant on behalf of Terry’s project. We were thrilled to learn that we secured a substantial $250,000 to help get this project going and address a critical need here in Tillamook.

So, what exactly does that mean for our community? This grant will be a huge help in transforming the upper floor of the National Bank Building into new apartments, including an ADA-accessible unit on the bottom level that will be easily accessible from Pacific Avenue. We all know how critical the need for housing is, and this project is a big step toward addressing that.

Some of you might remember that the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant Program also helped another local business owner and developer, Lisa Greiner, owner of the Oregon Coast Dance Center. She was awarded $200,000 from the OMSRGP in 2019 to kick-start her downtown housing project. After a lengthy but rewarding renovation, the Jones-Knudson apartments above her dance studio were finished and fully occupied earlier this year. The Chamber celebrated with Lisa and those involved in the process during a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially commemorate the completion of this project on February 8th, 2025. This milestone’s success is a powerful example of how these grants can boost vitality in the downtown community.

The Chamber is honored to play a role in working with these motivated developers. We love helping them secure the funds needed to turn their passion and vision into a reality, making downtown Tillamook a more inviting and thriving place to live, work, and play. There’s nothing better than seeing a great idea become a reality while also meeting a real need in our community.