Current News - Roseburg Area Chamber

Chamber News

At the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce it’s our priority to keep our members informed of any current legislation, member calls to action and upcoming events and programs. If you have any questions about current news please call 541-672-2648.

Elin Miller & Guy Kennerly Are Our 2023 First Citizens!

The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce held its 69^th annual awards dinner and meeting of the membership on March 21, 2024. Leadership announced the organization’s executive team for 2024, the chamber’s activities and accomplishments for 2023, and highlighted some of the organization’s key priorities for this year. Each year the chamber looks forward to its annual celebration of our business community and the opportunity to recognize business excellence and distinguished volunteer service of outstanding local citizens.

The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce will be led by the following executive leadership team in 2024: Chelsea Buckbee of Rogue Credit Union, chair of the board; Jeff Schwendener, Avista Utilities, vice chair; chamber president & CEO Debbie Fromdahl, board secretary; Jami Seal, Lone Rock Resources, treasurer; and, immediate past chair Tammy Turner from the Community Cancer Center, as the five corporate officers for the organization.

Each year, Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce priorities focus on its core responsibility to serve, promote and protect the businesses of Douglas County. The chamber will continue to represent the interests of business through political advocacy; its work to create a strong local economy; promote the community and our member businesses; and, of course, provide the quality programs chamber members have come to expect. Specifics about the chamber’s activities and accomplishments for 2023 and the organization’s key priorities for 2024 are detailed on the chamber’s website.

During the evening’s festivities, the Roseburg Chamber honored four local organizations for their excellence in business. The 2023 small business of the year recognition went to Roseburg’s Community Cancer Center. Abby’s Legendary Pizza was honored as the chamber’s medium-size business of the year for 2023, with Roseburg Forest Products receiving large business of the year honors. Aviva Health was awarded the chamber’s Excellence in Business Innovation recognition.

The highlight of the chamber’s awards dinner is the annual naming of its First Citizens. Elin Miller and Guy Kennerly received the chamber’s 2023 First Citizen honors for their years of volunteer service and unwavering commitment to our community. Miller was recognized for her service to the youth and young adults of Douglas County and our agricultural community. She previously served on the board and as president of Umpqua Community Development Corp. She served on Umpqua Bank’s divisional board and UCC’s Board of Education. She currently serves on the boards of UCC Foundation, Community Cancer Center, Forest Bridges, the Oregon Wine council, where she is a past board president and Oregon’s Future Farmers of America Foundation board, as its immediate past president. Elin was appointed to Oregon’s Board of Agriculture in 2020, by Gov. Kate Brown. In addition to her consulting firm, Elin, and her husband Bill, have a hazelnut farm—UmpquaNut Farm—and, and a vineyard.

Kennerly was recognized as a “true community servant.” His involvement includes serving on the boards of Douglas County Farmers Co-op, Cascade Community Credit Union and UCC’s Board of Education. He is the longest serving board member for the Community Cancer Center. Guy’s past volunteerism includes the Douglas County Industrial Development Board, Douglas County Planning Commission, Winston-Dillard School District Board and the Roseburg Area Chamber board of directors. He is active with Partnership for Umpqua Rivers, Oregon Sheep Growers Assn, Douglas County Livestock Assn, Rotary Club and local 4-H and FFA livestock auctions, to name a few. Guy owns Umpqua Insurance Agency and Umpqua Valley Tractor.

For more about our incredible honorees, take a look at RACC’s “Press Packet” for the event and check out pictures of our honorees on Facebook and Instagram. The annual awards dinner program is also available for viewing and download. The chamber’s annual awards dinner and meeting of the membership was generously supported by the evening’s title sponsor Cascade Community Credit Union and corporate sponsors Lone Rock Resources and A crisure Northwest/Umpqua Insurance Agency.

Chamber Celebrates 2023 Business Excellence

At the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce’s 69^th annual awards dinner and meeting of the membership on March 21, the chamber recognized four local organizations for their business excellence.

The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce annually honors member businesses that have made a substantial contribution to the community for the last five years or longer; have employees who individually or collectively participate in the community; and/or, the physical presence of the business adds to the economic vitality and livability of our community. All three of our 2023 “Business of the Year” recipients, are organizations that never waiver in their commitment to innovate. Despite any challenges they remained focused on growth, building new or renovating existing facilities and expanding their operations; investing in their organizations, employees and community. These companies’ commitment and investment contributes to the economic vitality of Roseburg and Douglas County.

The chamber’s 2023 “Small Business of the Year” honor was awarded to the Community Cancer Center. The Community Cancer Center has been part of our community for 45 years. But, not just part of our community; this organization was created by and for the service of our community. In 1979, a group of local citizens met, a non-profit corporation dedicated to providing patients diagnosed with cancer a local option of high-quality radiation therapy services, was formed, and Roseburg’s Community Cancer Center was born. From its small building beginnings on Umpqua Street to the 44,000 square foot facility we know today, built in 2009 largely through community donations, our Community Cancer Center has provided effective and compassionate cancer care to our citizens with H.E.A.R.T.—Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect and Teamwork . . . HEART!

The chamber’s 2023 “Medium-Size Business of the Year” accolades went to Abby’s Legendary Pizza Abby’s Legendary Pizza has been a culinary staple in this community for 60 years. It all started in July of 1964 when two long-time friends and high school classmates, Albert Broughton and James Harrell (better known as Abby and Skinny), opened the doors of the very first Abby’s Pizza Inn on N.E. Stephens in Roseburg, Oregon. It wasn’t long before word of Abby’s spread like melted mozzarella cheese throughout the region, and the legend, was born. From its infancy until today, our Abby’s has been the “go-to-place-to-be” before or after the game, kids’ birthday parties, family and classmate reunions and just a great place for lunch or dinner, dine-in or takeout! In January of 2021, Abby’s was purchased and is now wholly owned by Lone Rock Resources. Abby’s has 37 locations throughout Oregon and Washington, with the newest location in Prineville Oregon. Thankfully, five of those locations are right here in Douglas County!

Chamber honors went to Roseburg Forest Products for its 2023 “Large Business of the Year.” Founded in 1936 in Roseburg by forest products pioneer Kenneth Ford, passion for wood is the company’s spirit and its legacy. For nearly 90 years, Roseburg Forest Products has not just been a standout leader in its industry, but a name and business synonymous with our community. Roseburg’s long-standing support of local non-profits, capital campaigns, youth programs and more, is immeasurable. Roseburg’s investment in our community from infrastructure to educational and workforce training programs is long-standing. It is a company whose leadership believes in our community, our citizens and our businesses and organizations. This may never have been more evident than last year, when Roseburg announced its planned $700 million dollar investment to upgrade and expand its manufacturing operations in Southern Oregon, primarily in Douglas County. The total project represents the largest ever known investment in manufacturing in rural Oregon, and one of the largest private capital investments of any kind in our state’s history.

The 2023 “Business Excellence in Innovation,” went to Aviva Health. Aviva Health began seeing patients in 1991 as the Open Door Clinic, the effort of a community task force intent on providing health care for the underserved. Located on Pine Street, the clinic provided 1,241 visits that first year. Aviva Health became a Federally Qualified Health Center, or FQHC in 1999. A community health center is a non-profit healthcare practice that provides high-quality, cost-effective primary healthcare to anyone seeking care, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Aviva Health has grown to six service locations, providing primary medical, dental and behavioral health services. Aviva recognized the need to address our community’s healthcare provider crisis, and that recruitment and retention of qualified healthcare workers in Douglas County was an ongoing challenge. They decided an innovative approach to create a pipeline of healthcare workers to our region was needed. In 2020, “Roseburg Family Medicine Residency” was launched. Since 2020, the program brought cohorts of eight residents to our community each year. The inaugural class of 2020 graduated from the program in June of 2023, with four of the eight physicians remaining in Oregon, two right here in Douglas County. This innovative, collaborate approach to creating a healthcare workforce training pipeline contributes to the economic health and the “actual” health of our community.

Congratulations to all our 2023 honorees, the recognition is most deserved!

For photos of our award winners, please visit the Roseburg Area Chamber’s Facebook and Instagram pages!

Chamber Supports City’s Proposed UGB Swap

At the March 19 meeting, the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce voted unanimously to support the city of Roseburg’s proposed Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) swap. For details about the chamber’s position, please see the chamber’s letter of support.

Chamber Files Amicus Briefs with U.S. Supreme Court

Briefs Support Two United States Supreme Court Petitions for Certiorari

UPDATE 3/25/24: U.S. Supreme Court Denies Petitions

On December 14, the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce filed a Brief of Amici Curiae in support of petition for certiorari filed by petitioners in Murphy Company, et al v. Joseph R. Biden, Jr., in his official capacity as President of the United States, et al (No. 23-525). On Friday, December 15, the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce filed a Brief of Amici Curiae in support of petition for certiorari filed by petitioners in American Forest Resource Council, et al v. United States of America, et al (No. 23-524).

Amicus curiae literally means “friend of the court;” an individual or organization that is not a party to a particular case, but which has interest in the case or information related to a case of critical importance to their community(ies). The chamber’s filings are founded in its long-standing interest and advocation for active management of public forestland for all designated purposes mandated under the O & C Act of 1937. The chamber is pleased and honored to have NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business) Small Business Legal Center join both briefs in support of said U.S. Supreme Court petitions. Read joint Press Statement.

To read the chamber’s Amicus Brief in the American Forest Resource Council, et al case CLICK HERE. To read the chamber’s Amicus Brief in the Murphy Company, et al case CLICK HERE.

There are numerous reasons underlying the chamber’s decision to file briefs in both of these cases. First, the chamber, representing the interests of its members and Douglas County businesses, has significant interest in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument Designation, the BLM’s 2016 Western Oregon Resource Management Plan and the impacts due to lack of effective management of O & C Act forestland. Specifically, the threat to the protectable interests of the chamber, its members and the Douglas County businesses for which the chamber advocates. Read full article HERE.

The US Supreme Court met on Friday, March 22, to discuss the requests by Murphy Co. and American Forest Resource Council to review the expansion of the Oregon monument into O&C Act lands. On March 25, they published their decision, and unfortunately the Court has decided to deny reviewing those cases. So the D.C. Circuit’s and Ninth Circuit’s rulings (which we don’t support) will stand. Order List (03/25/2024) (supremecourt.gov)

If there is a sliver of good news, it’s that two Supreme Court justices – Justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh, whom we cited purposefully and visibly in our brief because we hoped they would carry the matter forward into review for us – did want to review the cases. They “dissented” from the fuller Court’s refusal to review the cases.

Shop Chamber & $ave 2024

Members of the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce have the opportunity to participate in our annual special member-to-member Shop Chamber & Save Program! Chamber member businesses offer discounts to fellow chamber members to build rapport in the business community, increase exposure and to grow their business.

Email [email protected] and request your 2024 discount cards for you and employees covered under your organization’s membership dues structure. Some restrictions apply. Support local businesses and your fellow chamber members and save money! Request your discount cards today!

Paid Leave Oregon Creates FAQ for Businesses

Oregon’s paid family and medical leave insurance program–Paid Leave Oregon (PLO)–has partnered with the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) to produce three documents to clarify how paid leave works with the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA), paid time off and job protections.

OFLA/Paid Leave Common Questions features a list of common questions and answers about how OFLA and PLO work together.
Job Protections Common Questions answers common questions about job protections under PLO. For example, employers must protect the jobs of people who take paid leave if they’ve worked for them for at least 90 days.
Use of Paid Time Off, OFLA and Paid Leave Oregon explains employee and employer rights and obligations when an employee asks for earned paid time off (personal time, for example) when the employee takes protected leave under PLO, OFLA or both.

Future Community Leaders Shine Bright

The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the graduates from its 2022-23 Project Leadership Roseburg program at its May 15 membership lunch. The leadership program challenged participants to not only increase their knowledge about Roseburg and Douglas County, but to become more actively engaged and involved in our community.

This amazing group of community-minded leaders has, and will continue, to do great things through volunteerism for the betterment of Roseburg and Douglas County. Please join us in congratulating the following Project Leadership graduates:

Hope Assink, Phoenix School; Sarah Gray, Roseburg Forest Products; Adele Grubb, UCC Foundation; Lauren Haddock, Aviva Health; Sarah Hamilton, Aviva Health (now Cow Creek Government Offices); Shardell Johnson, WorkSource Douglas/Employment Department; Savannah Jones, Sunrise Enterprises; Heather King, United Community Action Network; Shelby Osborn, FCC Commercial Furniture; Tabitha Parsons, Northwest Community Credit Union; and, Wendy Peterson, Cardinal Services, Inc.

Congratulations to our 2022-23 Project Leadership Graduates! Thank you, graduates, for your commitment to the leadership program and your dedication to our community. As individuals, you are each the brightest of lights; together your brilliance will illuminate paths to an ever brighter future!

Luther & John are Roseburg First Citizens

At it March 23 annual awards dinner and meeting of the membership, the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce was honored to recognize Toby Luther and Dori John as Roseburg’s 2022 First Citizens. These two outstanding community leaders were acknowledged for their long-time dedication and volunteer service to our Roseburg/Douglas County community.

John was recognized for her service and commitment to area youth including serving on numerous program/project teams and the board of directors for both the Boys & Girls Club of the Umpqua Valley and YMCA of Douglas County. Other community involvement includes Future Business Leaders of America, youth sports and music programs, Umpqua Bank regional board and previous tenure on the Roseburg Area Chamber board of directors, serving as board chair in 2015. Dori is general manager of Roseburg Disposal.

Luther served as Roseburg Chamber board chair in 2018. His community service includes serving on the boards of Mercy Medical Center, Wildlife Safari and The Ford Family Foundation, for which he is the current board chair. He is actively involved with Umpqua Valley Christian School, Covenant of Life Fellowship and numerous industry organizations and councils. His wide and varied volunteer activities include past service with the Riverside Center, Umpqua Community Health, the United Way, Cap Ripken, UCC Strong and the turf project for Legion Field, to name a few. Toby is president and CEO of Lone Rock Resources.

We are a better, more fortunate community because of the two generous, dedicated and community-minded individuals. For a list of all the Roseburg Area Chamber’s First Citizens HERE.

Chamber Recognizes Business Excellence for 2022

At it March 23 annual awards dinner and meeting of the membership, the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce recognized four local organizations for business excellence.

The chamber’s 2022 “Small Business of the Year” award went to Cascade Community Credit Union. Cascade Community Credit Union began as DougCo Schools Credit Union in 1928; a credit union for the educators of Douglas County. This small charter was made up of 15 educators who kept the sum of their assets in a shoebox locked in a closet. Starting as an institution of educators shaped Cascade’s values to this day. Their priorities lie in helping our community make informed decisions best for their needs. Those educators also created a culture that believed serving locally is how we help our community grow. Over the years, credit union began to serve Douglas County as a whole and merged with other institutions to form Cascade Community Credit Union. Their name changed, but their ideals never did. Cascade Community Credit Union continues to serve teachers, farmers, ranchers, business members and the families of Douglas County. Cascade Community Credit Union, celebrates 75 years of service this year, and it all started with 15 teachers and a shoebox.

Honors for the chamber’s 2022 “Medium-Size Business of the Year” went to Douglas Electric Cooperative. In 1936, Congress acted to remove rural areas from the “Dark Ages” by creating the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), formerly the Rural Electrification Administration (REA). Initially, low-interest REA loans were made available to commercial power companies for the purpose of electrifying rural areas. When the power companies failed to take advantage of REA loans, the agency turned to providing loans to locally-owned electric cooperatives. On September 7, 1939, West Douglas Electric Cooperative began supplying power to 209 members. On July 15, 1941, North Douglas Electric Cooperative began supplying power to 125 members. A merge of the two young cooperatives was ratified on June 20, 1942, to form the present day Douglas Electric Cooperative. Douglas Electric Cooperative (DEC) is a private, not-for-profit electric utility owned by the members it serves. It was established to provide its members with the most reliable electric service at the lowest possible cost. DEC serves just over 11,000 meters in a service area that covers 2,500 square miles in western and northern Douglas County, with small portions in northeast and southeast Coos County and south Lane County, excluding the city of Drain. Douglas Electric is a small cooperative made up of less than 40 employees. The folks at Douglas Electric are our neighbors, friends and family who are dedicated to serving the people of Douglas County, with consistency, integrity and hard work for more than 80 years, and they are proud to call Douglas County home.

Con-Vey was recognized as the chamber’s 2022 “Large Business of the Year.” Con-Vey opened its doors over 75 years ago as a fabrication and machine shop focusing on repair work for the local wood mills. Since their beginnings in 1946 as Keystone Machine Works, the company has shifted and combined forces with manufacturing professionals to become the world-class solutions company for industrial equipment. From steel fabrication to robotic automation, customers know they can go to Con-Vey for high-quality products at a competitive price. Con-Vey’s commitment to innovation has facilitated their expansion into material handling and robotics for building products, automation technology, bulk and biomass handling, environmental projects and agricultural processing. Con-Vey prides itself on handling demanding projects, creating innovative custom machinery and integrating effective solutions for its customers. Today, Con-Vey is a proven, high-quality supplier with proprietary machinery in nearly 20 countries. Con-Vey is a significant supporter of local youth education and building awareness of our manufacturing sector, which ultimately supports many local businesses and industries.

The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce annually honors member businesses that have made a substantial contribution to the community for the last five years or longer; have employees who individually or collectively participate in the community; and/or, the physical presence of the business adds to the economic vitality and livability of our community. All three of our 2022 “Business of the Year” recipients, are organizations that even during a time of unprecedented uncertainty due to the pandemic, related shutdowns and post-pandemic impacts didn’t waiver in their commitment to innovate. Despite any challenges they remained focused on growth, building new or renovating existing facilities and expanding their operations; investing in their organizations, employees and community. These companies’ commitment and investment contributes to the economic vitality of Roseburg and Douglas County.

In the final business recognition of the evening, the chamber presented an award that is not given out every year. The 2022 “Business Excellence in Innovation,” went to Con-Vey subsidiary 7robotics. This award recognizes “a business who exceeds the standard for resourcefulness and creativity in the workplace and has significantly improved the operating environment through the development and implementation of an innovative product, process, technology, or service.” 7robotics was started in 2019 by the team at Con-Vey. As a longtime integrator for robotic and automated systems in the wood products industry, Con-Vey’s extensive background and expertise acted as a springboard for 7robotics to enter into new markets and processes. Con-Vey’s 7robotics takes pride in collaborating with new customers and partners to create technology and automation solutions to fit the customers’ needs. The team at 7robotics uses their industry knowledge and perspective to create unique solutions to meet customer needs. They take pride in building relationships and collaborating with their customers and partners. They are continually improving and creating new innovative ways to serve their customers, community and employees.

For photos of our award winners, please visit the Roseburg Area Chamber’s Facebook and Instagram pages!

Archived News (2/5/2024)

Honoring Outstanding Businesses and Community Leaders

Nomination Deadline has Passed. The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for outstanding member businesses, 2023 first citizen honors and more. Honorees will be announced at the chamber’s annual awards dinner on March 21, 2024.

Business of the year recognition include three categories: small, medium and large-size Roseburg Area Chamber-member businesses. Check out our list of past recipients of business of the year honors. Criteria and additional details are included on the Business of the Year nomination form. The submittal deadline for nominations is February 2, 2024.

The chamber has opened 2023 nominations to honor deserving individuals with our community’s highest recognition, First Citizen. Take a look at the list of our past First Citizen honorees. The chamber is also accepting nominations for 2023 chamber volunteer and innovative business of the year. Nomination forms and criteria for these can be found online for Chamber Volunteer of the Year, Business Innovator and First Citizens. Email nomination form/packet to [email protected] by the 5:00 p.m. deadline on February 2, 2024 or mail (postmarked by February 2) to the Roseburg Area Chamber, P.O. Box 1026, Roseburg OR 97470.

Archived News (10/16/2023)

Lunch with Oregon's BOLI Commissioner

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED.

The Roseburg Area Chamber welcomes Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries (BOLI) Commissioner Christina Stephenson to its October membership lunch. The Commissioner is interested in meeting with local business owners to hear about workforce challenges and other issues facing our business community, and share how the Bureau of Labor and Industries can be a resource for Oregon employers.

Chamber membership lunches are held from 11:45 am to 1:00 pm at the Douglas County fairgrounds. Advanced ticket purchase is required. Tickets are not sold at the door. The last day to purchase tickets and secure attendance is noon on Wednesday, October 11. The chamber’s October membership meeting luncheon is generously sponsored by Rogue Credit Union.

Archived News (9/1/2023)

Best Member Promotional Opportunity Closes End of Summer

AD RESERVATION DEADLINE IS CLOSED. The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting reservations for ads in its 2023-24 InUmpqua magazine–a digital and printed business directory, community profile and visitor guide. The InUmpqua is made available to residents and businesses throughout Douglas County, distributed to visitors and potential new residents and to chambers and visitor information center in Oregon. The online digital edition is one of the chamber’s most popular downloads.

This publication remains one of the best advertising values available to promote your business or organization to other businesses, residents and visitors. Check out our 2022-23 InUmpqua online or pick one up at the chamber! The reservation/contract submission deadline is August 31. CLICK HERE to download a copy of the 2023-24 InUmpqua rate sheet and advertising contract.

Archived News (9/1/2023)

Apply Now for Chamber's Distinguished Leadership Program

APPLICATION DEADLINE HAS PASSED. The chamber is currently accepting applications for its 2023-24 Project Leadership Roseburg program which starts September 14. The program curriculum and application packet is available online HERE.

The chamber is very proud of this long-standing program. Our 2023-24 Project Leadership Roseburg program will mark the 34th year of this distinguished program! Since its inception, the chamber has graduated nearly 650 future business and community leaders from its professional development program.

Not your typical leadership program, Project Leadership Roseburg provides participants with a comprehensive awareness of Douglas County and a deeper understanding of how our community works directly from our business and community leaders. The nine-month program shares knowledge about our city and county, and fosters dedication to our community as participants learn how to get involved through volunteerism to help create a more vibrant future for Douglas County.

Applicants may be either employer-sponsored or self-sponsored. The cost of the program is $750 for Roseburg Area Chamber members; $950 for non-RACC-members. Roseburg Area Chamber members are given admittance priority. Acceptance is on a first-submitted, first-approved basis. The application deadline is 5:00 p.m. on August 25, 2023.

Archived News (7/31/2023)

Make Our Douglas County Business Voice Heard

Members of our local business community will have two opportunities to make their voice heard with both federal and state elected officials.

(Event has Passed) April 21 at 5:00 pm–Public Input to the Oregon Legislative Joint Committee on Ways & Means. The Joint Ways & Means Committee will, for the first time be in Roseburg to take testimony directly from Douglas County citizens. This is an incredible opportunity for local business leaders to provide input on budget priorities for the state of Oregon’s upcoming biennial budget. This public input event will be held at Umpqua Community College in Jacoby Auditorium, 1140 Umpqua College Road on Friday, April 21 at 5:00 pm. Those wishing to provide testimony should register HERE!

(Event has Passed) April 6 at 1:00 pm–Douglas County Town Hall with Senator Ron Wyden and with Representative Val Hoyle. The town hall will be held in the Sutherlin High School gymnasium at 500 E Fourth Avenue in Sutherlin.

Archived News (7/31/2023)

Chamber Submits Testimony in Opposition to Oregon House Bill 3152

House Bill 3152 phases out the use of natural gas in the residential housing sector. It establishes that the policy of Oregon is to protect residential utility customers from risks of stranded fossil fuel assets and potential increases in energy burden while achieving state’s GHG emissions reduction goals. READ YOUR CHAMBER’S LETTER IN OPPOSITION TO HB 3152!

Archived News (7/31/2023)

Chamber Submits Testimony in Support of Oregon House Bill 3205

House Bill 3205 would exempt hiring and retention bonuses from the Equal Pay Act, giving Oregon businesses the tools they need to recruit and retain employees and keep local economies strong. READ YOUR CHAMBER’S LETTER IN SUPPORT OF HB 3205!

Archived News (7/31/2023)

Chamber Submits Testimony in Support of Senate Bill 795

Senate Bill 795 would allow Forest Trust Land counties to determine their own economic future. Forestlands were deeded to the state with the agreement that the lands would be actively managed for the economic benefit of the counties deeding the land. The state has failed to fulfill its part of the bargain. By returning control of the forestlands, counties would have the ability to manage the lands sustainably as a reliable source of revenue for its citizens. READ YOUR CHAMBER’S LETTER IN SUPPORT OF SB 795!

Archived News (7/31/2023)

Paid Leave Oregon . . . Is Your Business Prepared?

The chamber’s November membership meeting lunch program focused on Oregon’s new paid family and medical leave insurance program which starts January 1, 2023. Oregon employers, whether required to financially contribute or not, have mandated actions and responsibilities related to the “Paid Leave Oregon” program. Phillip Hudspeth, Outreach Program Analyst with the Oregon Employment Department presented our members with valuable information and resources at the November 14 lunch program. For those members unable to attend, Mr. Hudspeth provided the chamber with a copy of his presentation, CLICK HERE.

Following are links to additional resources and information about who is required to participate in the program, what information employers must provide to employees, what is an equivalent plan, deadlines and more.

Resources

Employer Toolkit

Resource (most resources are available in up to 12 languages):

Model Notice – Needs to be posted prior to January 1, 2023

Employer Guidebook

Equivalent Plan Guidebook

OFLA, FMLA, Paid Leave Comparison Chart

Contact Information

Paid Leave Oregon

PO Box 14151

Salem, OR 97311

833-854-0166

Website: paidleave.oregon.gov

Finalized Rules

The finalized statute can be found at Chapter 471, Division 70 “Paid Family Medical Insurance Leave” HERE.

Definition of wages are from 471-070-0400 to 471-070-0465

Archived News (6/30/2023)

Chamber Opposes ODF's Draft Habitat Conservation Plan

In a letter to the Oregon Board of Forestry, the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce addressed the numerous concerns it has with the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) draft Habitat Conservation Plan. READ YOUR CHAMBER’S LETTER REGARDING ODF’S DRAFT HCP.

Archived News (6/30/2023)

Chamber Launches "Job Board"

Have open positions with your company or organization? Of course you do! In early April, the Roseburg Area Chamber launched a new “Job Board” page on its website. Members of the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce with job/career openings can have those open positions posted on the chamber website.

Members may either email a PDF of the job description(s), their logo and/or a link to posting(s) on their company’s website to [email protected]. The chamber will share it on its “Job Board.” The chamber also links the Job Board from its “Move Here” page, which gets significant traffic from new residents and those interested in relocating to Roseburg and Douglas County.

Archived News (4/1/2023)

Four Receive Community's Highest Honor for Distinguished Service

Each year the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce has the immense privilege of recognizing community leaders who have, over many years, given selflessly of their talents, time, expertise, heart and so much more. On March 24, the chamber honored four such individuals. These outstanding First Citizens’ long-time dedication and distinguished service reflects their love for our community, and we are a better, more fortunate community because of them.

Celebrating our 2020 honorees, Sue Van Volkenburg and Steve Loosley and our 2021 honorees, Andrea Zielinski and Dave Leonard!

For details about the distinguished service of our 2020 and 2021 First Citizens, see the Press Packet for the chamber’s annual meeting of the membership and awards dinner. For a list of all our past First Citizens, CLICK HERE! Check out the chamber’s Instagram or Facebook pages for posts and photos of our 2021 Business of the Year honorees.

Archived News (4/1/2023)

Chamber Celebrates Business Excellence Recognizing 2021 Business of the Year Honorees

The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce recognized three local businesses as their 2021 businesses of the year, at the annual meeting of the membership and awards dinner on March 24.

The 2021 small business of the year award went to Gordon Wood Insurance & Financial Services. Douglas County Farmer’s Co-op was recognized as the chamber’s medium-size business of the year for 2021, with Lone Rock Resources celebrated as the 2021 large business of the year honoree.

Gordon Wood was founded in 1961 by Gordon Wood. Gordon Wood & Financial Services provides personal and business services to assist in planning for the future. The business is now owned and operated by Kelsey Wood, Gordon’s son. The chamber’s small business of the year, Gordon Wood Insurance was recognized for its integrity, reputation, long-standing commitment to serving clients and years….and years…of active involvement, of owners and employees, in our community. This local business, and when we say local, we mean local, from father to son to now a third generation working in the business, our small business of the year has been a recognizable name in the Roseburg/Douglas County community for over 60 years. Gordon Wood Insurance & Financial Services celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2021.

Our medium-sized business of the year is another home-grown, Douglas County business. Since 1921, Douglas County Farmers Co-op has been supporting and growing with the Douglas County community. The Co-op has had several names and moved around town (most noticeably after the Co-op was leveled in the 1959 Blast). Douglas County Farmers Co-op was once a small business with a pretty specific customer. Over the years, D.C. Farmers Co-op has grown in size, locations, product offerings and customer base, all while never forgetting their core clientele. Having celebrated its 100^th anniversary last year, D.C. Farmer’s Co-op has been serving Douglas County ranchers, farmers and homeowners since 1921, and will continue to do so long into the future, especially with the anticipated completion and opening of a new location later this year. Their motto is, “Good people, good products, good advice.” But, let’s be honest, for many of us it’s all about spring time and the arrival of the baby chicks!

Our 2021 large business of the year, Lone Rock Resources, was founded by Fred and Frances Sohn. Fred emigrated from Germany as a young man in 1936, eventually making his way to the Pacific Northwest with wife, Frances. In 1950, the Sohns built a sawmill on the banks of the S Umpqua River. Fascinated with technology, Fred hired the best talent and used innovation to differentiate his company in the competitive world of post-World War II lumber manufacturing.

Over the next 50 years, Fred’s passion for innovation would change mill production worldwide. Taking the unprecedented step of assembling an electronics research team, Fred created the industry’s first fully computerized sawmill and later patented 3-D scanning technology to maximize log recovery. Today, every production mill in the world relies on that computer technology. Fred’s zeal for finding a better way extended to forest management as well. In the 1970s, the company aggressively began buying cut-over lands and restoring them, planting up to 1 million seedlings a year.

The 1990’s were a time of transition. Two of Fred’s five sons, Howard and Rick, moved into company leadership positions as the family and the company looked to the future. Continued investment in manufacturing was matched with significant additions to the forest land base. Company land holdings more than doubled over a 10-year period. Transitions continued as a new century began. In 2001, the Sohn family moved away from its manufacturing foundations selling it’s sawmill and veneer plant. Fred retired and his sons assumed leadership of the company focusing on its forest lands. The culture Fred established through investment in people, research, equipment, and technology remain integral to the company’s success today.

Rick Sohn’s retirement as president in 2008 marked a successful transition to non-family leadership. The board expanded to include directors with experience managing family businesses, as well as welcoming third-generation Sohn family members. Today under President and CEO Toby Luther, Lone Rock is a balanced and diversified real assets and natural resources investment company. This family-owned business is not only a standout leader in its industry, but the organization’s support of business, industry, local non-profit organizations; and, community and youth activities, is unparalleled. Lone Rock encourages its employees to be involved in our community resulting in the active participation with more than 40 local non-profit organizations, programs and events. During the 2020 Labor Day fires, this industry leader had 72 employees with nearly 7000 hours over 10 days, working to help contain the Archie Creek fire. Also deserving mention is Lone Rock’s aggressive diversification strategy, a diversification that added wine and Abby’s Pizza, under their already distinguished and respected brand.

Congratulations to our 2021 businesses of the years: Gordon Wood Insurance, Douglas County Farmers Co-op and Lone Rock Resources! Check out the chamber’s Instagram or Facebook pages for photos. For a list of all past recipients of the chamber’s Business of the Year recognitions, CLICK HERE!

Archived News (12/20/2022)

Grow Business With Exclusive Member-to-Member Program

Deadline to Participate in “Shop Chamber & Save” is December 16. There are many reasons why it is great to be a member of the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce. We live here…we work here…we play here…and, most importantly, we love this community.

Our members share a common goal, to see local businesses succeed. We can accomplish this together! One of the ways we do this is through out Shop Chamber & Save member-to-member discount program. Build clients, customers and relationships within our business community and support other member businesses by shopping locally.

To offer a chamber member-to-member discount in 2023, please download this flyer, fill it out and return it to the chamber. Call us if you have any questions!

Archived News (11/15/2022)

Economic Forecast 2023

Tickets are on sale now for Economic Forecast 2023. What can business expect in 2023? The November 14 program will take a look at the past year and the economic impacts on our businesses, our county and our state. Our presenters will explore current events and issues; the political climate; a few local industries having significant economic impact; and, share valuable information about trends to help members strategically plan for 2023.

This year’s panel will address the results and anticipated impacts of the statewide and national mid-term elections. Industry experts will delve into the timber/wood products industry, real estate trends, ongoing workforce shortages and more. Addressing the overall economy will be John Tapogna, Economist, ECONorthwest. Joining Tapogna, will be Travis Joseph, Oregon Forest Resource Council; Jeremy Rogers, Oregon Association of Realtors; and, John Horvick, DHM Research.

Economic Forecast 2023 is Monday, November 14 from 8:45 to 11:30 am at the Douglas County fairgrounds. Advance ticket purchase is required. Get your tickets HERE. Deadline to purchase tickets is Wednesday, November 9 by 5:00 p.m. Economic Forecast 2023 sponsors are: Bowers Industrial, Cardinal Services, Inc., Con-Vey, Gordon Wood Insurance & Financial Services, Inc., Lone Rock Resources, Marco Pharma International, Roseburg Forest Products, Inc., Tyree Oil and Umpqua Insurance Agency.

Archived News (11/15/2022)

VOTE for Pro-Business Legislators in General Election

Roseburg Area Chamber Endorses Three in Oregon House Races. The board of the Roseburg Area Chamber voted unanimously to endorse two incumbents and one candidate seeking reelection/election to Oregon’s House of Representatives in this November’s general election.

The chamber endorses the honorable David Brock Smith, incumbent, Oregon House District 1 and the honorable Christine Goodwin, incumbent in House District 2, in her post-redistricting campaign for the Oregon House District 4 seat. These endorsements are, first and foremost, because these distinguished public servants have earned and maintained the chamber’s confidence by their support of Douglas County businesses during their service in the Oregon Legislature.

The chamber considers a number of criteria when endorsing incumbents, with the greatest weight given to the legislator’s voting record and active engagement with the Roseburg Area Chamber and Douglas County business community.

To round out its legislative endorsements, the chamber is supporting local business owner and candidate for Oregon House District 2, Virgle Osborne. The government affairs team (GAT) managed the chamber’s formal candidate review/interview process, recommending Osborne’s endorsement to the board. The board’s endorsement of Osborne reflects the alignment of his campaign platform with the chamber’s pro-business initiatives and advocacy positions.

All three endorsements are also reflective of board criteria related to electability, candidates existing relationships with local businesses and business organizations and a willingness to maintain a working relationship with chamber leadership. Please join us in November in casting a vote for business by supporting these candidates.

Archived News (11/15/2022)

2022 Membership Meeting Luncheon Schedule

Mark the Calendar / 2022 Scheduled Membership Meeting Luncheons

Monday, January 10, 2022–“State of the County” with Douglas County Commissioner Tom Kress

Monday, March 14, 2022–“What’s Happening in Washington, D.C.” with Chris Eyler, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Monday, April 11, 2022–“Education in Douglas County” with UCC President Rachel Pokrandt & RPS Superintendent Jared Cordon

Monday, May 16, 2022–“The Changing Landscape of Health Care” panel discussion, KC Bolton, Dr. Timothy Powell and Brent Eichman.

Monday, June 20, 2022–“Timber/Wood Products Industry” with Grady Mulbery, President/CEO Roseburg Forest Products

and Project Leadership Graduation

Monday, September 19, 2022–“Oregon by the Numbers” presented by The Ford Family Foundation’s Anne Kubisch and Kasi Allen.

Monday, October 17, 2022–“Protecting our Forestlands from Wildfire” with Pat Skrip, Douglas Forest Protective Association

Monday, November 14, 2022–“Paid Leave Oregon . . . Are You Prepared?” presented by Phillip Hudspeth, Oregon Employment Dept.

Archived News (3/19/2022)

Annual Meeting of the Membership, Celebration of Business & Awards Event

TICKET SALES CLOSED! The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting of the membership, celebration of business and awards dinner is March 24, from 5:45 to 8:00 p.m. at the Douglas County fairgrounds. The theme for 2022 is “Boldly Forward.” This year’s–COVID/post-COVID dinner will be a smaller, casual event than in the past. The event will still focus on the work of the chamber in 2020 and 2021 and the organization’s priorities for the future. The chamber will be recognizing small, medium and large businesses of the year for 2021, with the evening’s highlight, the honoring first citizens for 2020 and 2021.

There will be more details in the chamber’s March/April issue of Business Perspectives and future in “Chamber News” member emails, tickets are on sale now. PURCHASE TICKETS! We look forward to seeing our members on March 24!

Archived News (3/10/2022)

What the Heck is Happening in Washington, D.C.?

A question a lot of people are asking. Get answers to some of those questions at the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce March membership meeting lunch. TICKETS ON SALE NOW. TICKET SALES CLOSED!

The featured speaker at the March 14 lunch will be Chris Eyler, executive director for Congressional and Public Affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Chris will discuss what is happening in Washington D.C., from the 117^th United States Congress, to national and international issues and possibly some 2022 November general election predictions. Eyler will also share some of the US Chamber’s ongoing advocacy endeavors in D.C. on behalf of business.

Roseburg Chamber lunches are held at the Douglas County fairgrounds from 11:45 am to 1 pm. The luncheon buffet opens at 11:45. Advanced ticket purchase is required. Online ticket sales only. The deadline to reserve your ticket is 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9.

Archived News (3/4/2022)

Chamber Supports SB 1501 & SB 1502/ Oregon's Private Forest Accord

Last year private forestry representatives, small forestland owners and conservation groups struck a historic agreement designed to end decades of nasty conflict and expensive lawsuits.

The Private Forest Accord asks forest landowners and wood products manufacturers to make significant sacrifices, but here’s why the sacrifice is worth it:

For years, litigious environmental activists have threatened to lock up our forests with lawsuits over fish, salamanders and frogs. This compromise will put those fights to rest – for the next fifty years. So one of Oregon’s most important sectors can keep doing what it does best . . . actively manage our forests.

The Oregon Legislature needs to pass Senate Bill 1501 and Senate Bill 1502 to codify the agreement in state law.

On February 23, the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce voiced its support and urged elected officials in Salem to vote “Yes” on SB 1501 and SB 1502, to put Oregon’s new Private Forest Accord into state law.

In its urging for passage, the chamber expressed that we “understand that this Accord isn’t perfect. But the sacrifice is worth it to avoid unpredictable lawsuits over fish, salamanders and frogs that threaten to lock up our forests and create an uncertain and volatile future for important Oregon businesses and the tens of thousands of family-wage jobs they support.

The chamber asked legislators to “please back this compromise. It’s time to move on from the timber wars of the past. Please support Senate Bill 1501 and Senate Bill 1502 and give the Private Forest Accord a chance to work.”

Archived News (3/4/2022)

Chamber Opposes HB 4002A/Ag Overtime Bill

Overtime wages for agriculture workers – HB 4002A – continues to be the biggest labor debate of the 2022 session.

HB 4002A would require agricultural employers to pay farmworkers overtime payments for all hours worked over 40 per week by 2027. While this phase-in does include a tax credit that is phased-out at the same time, this is not a workable solution for those in agriculture. Our local farmers will be left without the resources they need to keep their business running or their workers employed.

The agricultural community has come to the table to find a workable solution for both farmers and their employees; however, labor advocates have refused to negotiate.

On February 23, the Roseburg Area Chamber urged legislators to OPPOSE HB 4002A. In a letter, the chamber asserted, that HB 4002A would “have a devastating impact on our local farms and rural communities. It has far-reaching impacts on so many of our essential industries, from dairies, to vineyards, to local berry farms and orchards.

Farmers and their employees work unique hours in order to plant, harvest and maintain crops and livestock. This requires a flexible workforce, meaning a straight across 40-hours threshold simply does not work.

Most farmers are price takers (not price makers) will not be able to afford the increased payroll costs. This will in turn hurt the very workers this bill proposes to help – providing them with fewer hours, fewer benefits, and fewer jobs. All this will lead to the loss of Oregon family farms and the deterioration of rural communities.

The agricultural community has offered several alternative solutions, but labor advocates have refused to come to the table.

Oregon’s family farms are the heart of our rural communities and an important driver of our local economy. HB 4002A will cost jobs, loss of worker income and, in the end, mean the closure of family farms and ranches across the state.”

The chamber asked legislators “to stand with our agricultural community and protect Oregon’s rural way of life. Please OPPOSE HB 4002A and work with farmers to find a lasting solution.”

Archived News (3/1/2022)

COVID-19 Pandemic News & Information

For the most current news, resource information and updates pertinent to our local businesses about the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce’s “COVID-19 Business Recovery Resource Center Library.”

Archived News (1/6/2022)

"State of the County" Featured at January Membership Lunch

Tickets are on sale, online, for the Roseburg Area Chamber’s first membership meeting lunch of 2022. The annual “State of the County” presentation will be the featured program on Monday, January 10. Presenting is outgoing 2021 chair of the board of commissioners, the honorable Tom Kress.

Chamber lunches are held at the Douglas County fairgrounds from 11:45 am to 1 pm. The luncheon buffet opens at 11:45. Advanced ticket purchase is required. Online ticket sales only. The deadline to reserve your ticket is 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 5.

The chamber’s January membership luncheon program is generously sponsored by Avista Utilities.

Archived News (12/26/2021)

The Roseburg Area Chamber WANTS YOU TO SHOP LOCAL!

RACC Encourages Community to Shop Local and Shop Small on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and All Season Long

This holiday season let the small businesses in our community know how much we appreciate them. Please be sure to #ShopLocal and #ShopSmall, because the holidays are happier when we celebrate together.

November 26 is Black Friday . . . SHOP LOCAL!

November 27 is Small Business Saturday . . . SHOP LOCAL!

Support and spend where you live by shopping local and shopping small all season long, all year long!

Archived News (9/1/2021)

RACC Urges Members of Congressional Delegation to Oppose PRO Act

The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce asked members of our Congressional delegation to oppose the Protect the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act). The PRO Act would dramatically change the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) in ways harmful to workers, employers and the economy. Among other things, the PRO Act would negatively impact workers by (1) threatening private ballots during union organizing votes; (2) nullifying Right-to-Work laws, and; (3) undermining the gig economy. CLICK HERE to read the March 8 letter to members of our Congressional delegation. Unfortunately, the PRO Act passed out of the House and moves to the Senate. On April 8, the Roseburg Area Chamber sent a letter to Senators Merkley and Wyden urging they oppose this proposed legislation.

Archived News (9/1/2021)

Chamber Urges Immediate Post-Wildfire Recovery and Reforestation on Federal Lands

In a February 17 letter to members of our Congressional delegation, the Roseburg Chamber urged federal action to “re-green” our forests after devastating fires.

RACC believes that in response to last year’s devastating wildfires, the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management should take quick action to remove dead and dying trees from burned federal lands. Swift recovery of these dead and dying trees will provide funding to help replant new trees on these devastated forests, among other benefits.

The chamber is disappointed to learn these federal agencies face opposition from anti-forestry activists when they have proposed removal on less than two percent of the total acres burned in last year’s wildfires. This means that over 120,000 acres of federally managed land in Oregon will be choked with dead and dying trees, left to fuel future wildfires.

Our “ask,” of our congressional representatives, is to urge the Forest Service and the BLM to recover and reforest these federal lands. In addition to supporting reforestation efforts, removal of dead and dying trees assures safer access on public lands, supports Oregon jobs, generates new revenues for local public services, and removes fuels and reduces the risks of “re-burns” in the future.

The chamber supports post-fire recovery of dead and dying trees and reforestation on federal lands. Prompt removal of dead and dying trees:

Provides funding for re-replanting and other post-fire rehabilitation.
Assures safer access on public lands.
Supports Oregon jobs when dead and dying trees are made into wood products.
Generates revenues for local public services such as Sheriff’s deputies and public health.
Removes fuels and reduces the risks of “re-burns” in the future.

Archived News (9/1/2021)

RACC Joins Coalition Urging Liability Protections Related to Pandemic

The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce joined hundreds of local and state chambers of commerce and business organizations across the country urging the members of the United States Congress to pass temporary liability protections related to the COVID-19 pandemic. CLICK HERE to read the February 1 letter to Congress.

Archived News (6/29/2021)

House and Senate Bills Still "In Play" After April 13 Deadline

April 13 was the hard deadline for Oregon House and Senate bills to be advanced out of their policy committee of origin or, be considered dead for the 2021 legislative session. On April 14, the chamber had a better idea of the existing bills potentially impacting our local businesses. Following is a brief recap of the bills RACC previously weighed in on, planned/plans to in the future and/or bills we’re still watching.

Bills Still Alive

Good Bills

HB 2343: Authorizes local government to adopt resolution suspending enterprise zone employment requirements otherwise imposed as a condition of receiving enterprise zone tax abatements.

HB 2433 / SB 842: Exempts federal stimulus benefits from taxation up to maximum allowed deduction of state taxes.

HB 3389: Unemployment tax rate relief on employers, particularly those whose experience ratings were negatively impacted by pandemic.

SB 330: Establishes income tax credit for amount of unpaid rent forgiven by landlord and certified by Housing and Community Services Department. Amortizes tax credit over five years.

Bad Bills

HB 2021: 100% Clean Energy bill; phases out electricity generation by natural gas.

HB 2238: Disallows compensation to property owners or businesses whose property or businesses are taken or ordered closed under emergency rules or orders.

HB 2253 / HB 2457: Imposes a tax/assessment of forgiven PPP loans.

HB 2358: Overtime wages for agriculture workers.

HB 2379: Imposes severance tax on owner of timber at time of harvest at five percent of value of timber.

HB 2598: Imposes severance tax on all timber harvested from public and private forestland.

HB 2474: Expands eligibility under Oregon Family Leave Act.

HB 2814: Requires DEQ to study program and policy approaches to reducing diesel engine emissions attributable to “indirect sources” of air contamination including construction sites.

HB 2839 / SB 137: Disconnects from Federal CARES Act business tax benefits.

HB 2840: Suspends all tax abatement programs (Opportunity zones, Enterprise Zones, etc)

HB 3296: Increases privilege taxes imposed upon manufacturer or importing distributor of malt beverages, wine or cider.

HB 3305: Bans the retail sale of diesel fuel in Oregon by January 2027.

SB 139: Eliminates Oregon’s “small business tax cut” and reinstates personal income tax rates for pass-through businesses.

SB 483: Creates presumption that any adverse employment action taken on an employee within 60 days of that employee lodging a “whistleblower” complaint is considered prohibited retaliatory conduct.

SB 582: Creates new $100 million recycling system in Oregon in which every store, restaurant, warehouse, office, publisher, manufacturer, or delivery service will be impacted and required to help pay for these new programs.

Bills That Died

Good Bills

HB 2638: COVID liability protections for businesses following state health directives.

HB 3177: Disallows closure of restaurants and gyms during future emergency declarations

SB 531: Establishes right to reimbursement for actual damages resulting from business closures required by emergency rules or orders.

Bad Bills

HB 2043: Bill restricting insurance companies tools for determining automobile insurance rates.

HB 2205: Private Attorney General Act allows attorney and/or nonprofits to bring suit against employers for violations of OSHA or BOLI regulations on behalf of the state.

HB 2489: Re-classification of independent contractors as W-2 employees.

HB 2588: Requires employers to monitor daily outdoor air quality and determine whether employees who perform outdoor work activities will be at risk of exposure to unhealthy air quality

HB 2674: The -1 amendment created multiple taxes to fund diesel engine retrofits and replacements.

HB 2974: Provides that conditioning employment on refraining from using any substance that is lawful to use in Oregon is unlawful employment practice.

HB 3025 / SB 488: Presumption of workplace exposure of Covid-19 for workers’ compensation claims.

HB 3171: Added insurance in to Unlawful Trade Practices Act, resulting in added litigation and increased premiums.

HB 3351: Would have increased minimum wage to $17/hr in 2023.

SB 208: Insurance “bad faith” legislation that would result in added litigation and increases premiums.

SB 335: Requires State Forestry Department to study and make recommendations to interim committee of Legislative Assembly regarding operation of State Board of Forestry.

SB 477: Provides that employee need not prove that alleged unlawful conduct is sufficiently severe or pervasive, only that employee was treated less favorably than another similarly situated employee for discrimination claims.

SB 489: Workers’ comp – removes restriction on authorization of retroactive temporary disability compensation.

SB 650: Would have allowed the Oregon Health Authority to levy “fair share” tax assessments on employers that do not provide health insurance.

SB 802: This bill would have effectively prohibited the ability to self-insure for workers’ compensation as it required all self-insured companies to use SAIF Corporation for claims processing.

Archived News (6/29/2021)

RACC Adds Voice to Coalition Urging Congress to Extend PPP Deadline

The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce joined hundreds of local and state chambers of commerce and business organizations across the country urging the members of the United States Congress to extend the current PPP application deadline from March 31 to December 31, 2021. Our small local businesses continue to struggle and will need access to those funds long past the current deadline at the end of this month. CLICK HERE to read the March 3 letter to Congress.

Archived News (6/29/2021)

Chamber Testimony Opposing HB 2674-1 Amendment Adverse to Local Business

RACC submitted written testimony opposing HB 2674-1 Amendment, which would levy a full suite of new taxes to fund diesel engine retrofits and replacements with large impacts on construction, trucking and agriculture. CLICK HERE TO READ BILL AMENDMENTS.

In 2019, legislators on both sides of the aisle passed legislation to phase out older diesel engines in the Portland metropolitan area and make smart investments in newer technologies. The bill that ultimately passed, HB 2007, was a compromise to encourage the retrofit and replacement of older on-road engines in heavy traffic areas, while exempting ag trucks, log trucks and small truck fleets.

Unfortunately, just two years later, that agreement is already falling apart. The amendment to HB 2674 completely rewrites the bill imposing a suite of new taxes on Oregonians to fund clean diesel engine retrofits and replacements:

3% excise tax on the retail sale of tires;
5% privilege tax for businesses who sell or lease off-road equipment;
5% use tax on off-road diesel equipment purchased outside of Oregon;
5% rental tax for rentals of off-road diesel equipment;
2% rental tax for rentals of all other qualified heavy equipment (note: this tax goes to counties not diesel retrofits);
Privilege tax on heavy-duty trucks and light-duty vehicles; and
Gas tax on all red dyed diesel used in off-road equipment.

This is an appalling overreach by our policymakers, particularly when many Oregon families are struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, devastating wildfires in 2020, and the recent ice storms.

At its core, this amendment creates a suite of new taxes on construction, forestry and agriculture to fund engine upgrades in Oregon’s most populous metropolitan areas. It’s fundamentally unfair to working families who are barely struggling to get by.

HB 2674-1 is being heard by the House Committee on Energy and Environment on Wednesday, March 3, 2021.

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The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce has weighed in on several proposed bills during Oregon’s Legislative Session, which the chamber believes is bad for our local businesses. So far, those bills include:

SB 137 and HB 2839: Disconnects businesses from Federal CARES Act tax benefits. RACC Opposes.
SB 139: Repeals the Oregon Small Business Tax Cut. RACC Opposes.
SB 137-1: This amendment is a tax increase on Oregon businesses, as the proposed amendment would disconnect Oregon businesses from the benefits of the bipartisan CARES Act legislation, which would raise taxes by $115 million on Oregon businesses. RACC Opposed.
SB 335: Reduces number of forest and land management representatives on Oregon’s Board of Forestry. RACC Opposed.
SB 483: Retaliation presumption for employment actions taken within 60 days of whistleblower complaint. RACC Opposes.
SB 716: Requires employers to reasonably accommodate employee’s work schedule availability related to childcare. RACC Opposes.
SB 801 and SB 802: Workers’ comp COVID presumption. RACC Opposes.
HB 2043: Directs insurer to consider only specified information in determining rates for motor vehicle liability insurance policy, disallowing tools such as credit, education and occupation, resulting in higher automobile insurance costs. RACC Opposes.
HB 2205: If passed, this bill would deputize third parties/plaintiffs attorneys to file class action lawsuits against employers for any violation of Oregon law–wage and hour, workplace safety, etc. RACC Opposes.
HB 2253 and HB 2457: Related to taxing of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)/Levies state tax on PPP loans. RACC Opposes.
HB 2358: Overtime payments for agriculture workers. RACC Opposes.
HB 2474: This bill would fundamentally change the law on family leave in Oregon. Among the proposed changes are reducing the number of employees from 25 to 1 for purposes of eligibility of employers subject to the law, amending the definition of “family member” and reducing the waiting period for employee eligibility under OFLA from 180 days to 30 days. RACC Opposes.
HB 2489: Reclassification of independent contractors as employees. RACC Opposes.
HB 2379 and HB 2598: These bills propose new timber taxes at the worst possible time in light of the pandemic and the devastating wildfires of 2020. RACC Opposed.
HB 2839: House counterpart to SB 137, which would disconnect Oregon from Federal CARES Act tax provisions that allow for the immediate monetization of businesses losses through the tax code to help with cash flow issues as a result of the pandemic. RACC Opposes.
HB 3296: If passed, this bill would increase beer and wine taxes to nearly 30 times their current levels. This bill is the largest tax on beer, wine, cider and spirits ever proposed in the U.S. RACC Opposes.
HB 3305: Proposed legislation would begin to ban the sale of “petroleum” diesel by “non-retail dealers” as soon as 2024 in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties and statewide by 2027. RACC Opposes.

Archived News (6/29/2021)

Chamber Testimony in Support of SB 330 Income Tax Credit for Rent Forgiveness

The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce submitted written testimony in support of SB 330, which would provide tax credit for local property owners for the rent they have forgiven over this past year due to the pandemic, while also providing immediate relief to tenants. CLICK HERE TO READ THE BILL.

SB 330 is being heard by the Senate Committee on Housing and Development on Tuesday, March 2, 2021.

Following is a list of bills the Roseburg Area Chamber supports and either has or will at the appropriate time submit written testimony in support:

SB 330: Income Tax Credit for Rent Forgiveness. RACC Supports.
SB 531: Would establish a right to reimbursement for actual damages resulting from cessation of business operations required by emergency rules or orders. RACC Supports.
SB 727: May allow Oregon businesses to claim federal ‘State & Local Tax’ (SALT) deduction in excess of $10,000 federal limit. RACC Supports.
SB 780: COVID liability protections for health care facilities and providers. RACC Supports.
SB 842: Tax exemption for federal stimulus payment to Oregon taxpayers. RACC Supports.
HB 2343: Allows local government to suspend Enterprise Zone requirements. RACC Supports.
HB 2638: Would limited liability fro Oregon employers following COVID directives. RACC Supports.
HB 3177: This bill, if passed, would prevent the Governor from shutting down restaurants and gyms in any further emergency declaration. RACC Supports.

Archived News (6/29/2021)

Chamber Testimony Supporting HB 2638 in Defense of Local Businesses

The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce submitted written testimony in support of HB 2638, COVID Liability Protections for Business, which would offer COVID liability protection for businesses, frontline medical providers and other entities. HB 2638 would ensure that businesses acting in good faith would be protected from unwarranted lawsuits. It recognizes the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 emergency and provides timely and targeetd protections for businesses at a time when they need it most. CLICK HERE TO READ THE BILL

HB 2638 is being heard by the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Civil Law on Wednesday , February 24.

Archived News (6/29/2021)

Roseburg Chamber Provides Testimony in Support of SB 531

The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce submitted written testimony in support of SB 531, which would establish a right to reimbursement for actual damages resulting from cessation of business operations required by emergency rules or orders. The written testimony was presented to Oregon’s Senate Committee on Veterans and Emergency Preparedness at its February 18, 2021 hearing.

Archived News (6/28/2021)

Chamber Weighs In On Proposed "Bad-for-Business" Legislation

-1 amendment to SB 137: This amendment is a tax increase on Oregon businesses, as the proposed amendment would disconnect Oregon businesses from the benefits of the bipartisan CARES Act legislation, which would raise taxes by $115 million on Oregon businesses. RACC Opposed.
HB 2379 and HB 2598: These bills propose new timber taxes at the worst possible time in light of the pandemic and the devastating wildfires of 2020. RACC Opposed.
HB 2839: House counterpart to SB 137, which would disconnect Oregon from Federal CARES Act tax provisions that allow for the immediate monetization of businesses losses through the tax code to help with cash flow issues as a result of the pandemic. RACC Opposes.
HB 2205: If passed, this bill would deputize third parties/plaintiffs attorneys to file class action lawsuits against employers for any violation of Oregon law–wage and hour, workplace safety, etc. RACC Opposes.

Archived News (6/28/2021)

Let's Make Sure the Voice of Businesses in Rural Oregon are Heard!

It is so important that our members testify on bills that are important to them, their industry(ies) and our local, rural business community. The Oregon Legislative Assembly has established a process to accept remote verbal public testimony on bills by video or phone during this time, in addition to written public testimony.

Detailed information about how to testify in the 2021 Oregon Legislative Session is outlined in this “How to Testify” guideline. Be sure and download it for use during the session!