COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL October 4, 2017
5B
CHAMBER NEWSLETTER
Our Mission: Th e Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce promotes economic vitality through
advocacy and collaboration with its members and the larger community.
Travis Palmer,
Executive Director
Director’s Note
October Business Aft er Hours
Th ere is never a shortage of things that we’re working
on at the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce and
October is no exception. Th e most recognizable of
October’s activities is the Halloween Howl or as
some know it, “Trick or Treat on Main Street.” Th is
event happens through collaboration between the
Chamber, City, Main Street Program, EBID and the
Sentinel. We all pitch in and encourage businesses
and organizations to participate by opening their
doors, decorating their businesses or setting up a
booth on Main Street from 3 to 5pm on Tuesday,
October 31 st for some old fashioned family-friendly
fun. We expect over 1,000 kids in costumes each
year and we are always impressed by the level of
support and participation from local businesses.
If you’d like to participate, call 541-942-2411 for
more details.
KNND AM 1400 will host Business Aft er Hours on Th ursday, October 19 at the radio station located
at321 E. Main Street from 5:30 – 7:00pm. Please join us for a time to network with other businesses,
learn something new, and have some fun! And don’t forget your business cards to share and enter
the door prize drawing. Your attendance reinforces the spirit in which the Chamber provides these
monthly activities. Cottage Grove and Creswell Chamber members are encouraged to attend this
classic, fun networking event!
Th rough another exercise in collaboration, there
will be a new event this month called Th e Cottage Grove Business Challenge. Th anks to a donation
from the New Breed Seed Company, local entrepreneurs are competing to win up to $10,000 in prize
money to start a new business in Cottage Grove. Twenty-four business plans were submitted but only
3 will be chosen by a panel of judges for funding. Anyone interested in starting a new business or
investing in a local business is encouraged to attend when we announce the winners on October 25 th at
the Village Green. Th e Cottage Grove Chamber is proud to be able to help plan this competition and
we are grateful for the contributions of New Breed Seed Company and the amazing support from the
Eugene Regional Accelerator & Innovation Network (RAIN) as well as Cottage Grove’s Community
Development Corporation and Economic & Business Improvement District. For more information
about this event, visit the website cottagegrovebusinesschallenge.com.
As we do on the 3 rd Th ursday of every month, the Chamber of Commerce invites representatives from
area businesses to meet and learn about each other at Business Aft er Hours. Not only are these monthly
events great way to learn more about the businesses who host them but they also off er an opportunity
to make new contacts and educate others about your own businesses. “Word of mouth” advertising
is the most cost effi cient and most eff ective way to market your business. We organize these monthly
networking events because new business relationships are created each and every month. On October
19 th , Business Aft er Hours will be hosted by our local radio station, KNND AM 1400 and will take place
in their studio located at 321 Main Street from 5:30 to 7pm. All Cottage Grove and Creswell Chamber
of Commerce members are encouraged to attend.
With regards to the inner workings of the Chamber of Commerce, October is also when we start our
strategic planning for the next year. We are currently recruiting new board members to replace the ones
who will retire at the end of 2017 and we are happy to report that we should start the New Year with
a full and diverse board that is well balanced by experience and enthusiasm. Our annual retreat will
include a thorough board member orientation as well as strategic planning which will be guided by the
Executive Director of the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce, Alison Hart. We strongly encourage
all of our business members to give us feedback about what the Chamber can do to strengthen the local
economy. We welcome all feedback and will continue to work toward making Cottage Grove a great
place to do business. Comments or questions about the Chamber’s Mission and Purpose can be sent to
info@cgchamber.com or visit www.cgchamber.com.
CHAMBER NEWS
Member Benefi t Highlight – Chamber Membership Directory
Th ank you for responding to the letters sent requesting that you review the information we have on
fi le for your business. Th ere is still time to make any corrections that you want to occur in the new
directory. Please return those letters ASAP to be sure your current information is included. Travis will
be contacting you to discuss a variety of ways you can promote your business through the directory.
Incentive discounts are being off ered.
For those of you who have thought about membership, and wish to be in next year’s directory, the
deadline for new members to be included in the directory is November 13. So now is the time to
move ahead with your plans to join the Chamber. Participate in chamber membership and watch your
marketing dollars stretch. To those of you who are already members, we thank you and hope you enjoy
this great chamber benefi t! Please contact Jessica Baker at the chamber offi ce (541) 942-2411 regarding
your intent to join so that we do not miss including your business in the 2018 publication.
Future Business Aft er Hours
November 16th – Village Green Resort
December 21st – Cottage Grove Sentinel
Reservations are being taken for Business Aft er Hours in 2018. Give us a call at 942-2411 and reserve your
month today!
Trick or Treat on Main Street!
Th e chamber is once again collaborating with the City, Cottage Grove Main Street Program, EBID and
the Cottage Grove Sentinel for this year’s Trick or Treat on Main Street! Th is year’s event will take place
on Tuesday, October 31 st from 3-5pm. Cottage Grove and Creswell area businesses are encouraged to
participate. Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffi c starting at 1pm so businesses can participate by
setting up a booth right on Main Street during the event. Contact Travis at 541-942-2411 to ask about
setting up a booth. Th ere is NO CHARGE to participate! Th is event provides a safe, family friendly
environment for over 1,000 people to enjoy each year. Don’t miss this opportunity to show off your
Halloween Spirit and creativity!
Mark Your Calendars Now for Christmas in Cottage Grove!
Plans are under way for this year’s Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting which will be held on Saturday,
December 2nd. Bundle up and join us for some family fun! To kick of the day, have breakfast with
Santa at the Fire Station, take advantage of various merchant discounts, participate in a scavenger hunt,
have your picture taken with Santa aft er the tree lighting ceremony, tour Dr. Snapp’s House on River
Road and fi nd that special gift for someone on your shopping list at their annual bazaar. What a great
way to start the Christmas season! Watch for a schedule of all the events in the coming months.
MEMBER NEWS
Elevate Lane County Career Event
On Wednesday, October 18th, Connected Lane County, Elevate Lane County, and the Technology
Association of Oregon are organizing THREE Experience Oregon Tech tours in Eugene for high
school juniors and seniors. We will meet at VALLEY RIVER CENTER AT 11:30 AM AND RETURN
TO THE SAME PARKING LOT AT 230 PM. Lunch will be provided for you and your students.
Is this something you’d like to participate in? If so, PLEASE CONTACT emaloney@lesd.
k12.or.us WITH YOUR NAME AND THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS YOU WOULD LIKE
TO BRING. Because this event is likely to be very popular, we’d like you to choose 10-15 of
your juniors and/or senior students. (If you have more students that would like to attend,
we can add them to the wait list and let you know if additional spots become available).
EACH GROUP OF STUDENTS NEEDS AN ADULT EDUCATOR TO ATTEND WITH
THEM. Th ere is no cost to attend and we can provide bus reimbursement if that’s needed.
If you would like someone from the Elevate staff to come to your school and talk with teachers,
administrators, and/or students, please connect with Erin at emaloney@lesd.k12.or.us and she will
schedule two members from the team to come out.
Th e chamber’s number one goal is to create a strong local economy. All of the programs and benefi ts
supported by your membership investment go toward achieving that goal. Your membership is also a
commitment to the entire community and a pledge of support for the economic growth and vitality of
the Cottage Grove area. Th ank you!
New Members in September - Please join us and welcome our newest chamber members
Lillibolero, Inc.
Jay Toman
Cottage Grove
(541) 942-7279
www.lillibolero.com
IT Management/Consultant
Renewing Members
Cottage Grove Speedway
We encourage you to support Chamber member businesses and our local economy.
“Shop Local and Shop Chamber Members fi rst”!
Community Calendar
2017 Chamber Board of Directors, Advisors and Staff
Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce
700 E. Gibbs • Cottage Grove, OR • P. (541) 942-2411
info@cgchamber.com • www.cgchamber.com
2017 Chamber Board of Directors:
Thank you for your hours upon hours of volunteer time, commitment, and service!
Offi cers
Candace Solesbee, President
Chloe Beckes, Vice President
Ruth Linoz, Secretary
Gary Manly, Treasurer
Joe Raade, Past President
Shampoo Dolls Salon
Jack Sprats
South Lane Wheels
Cottage Grove Sentinel
South Lane County Fire & Rescue
Directors
Cassie Barrong
Ryan Gifford
Dean Kruschke
Bret Munk
Layla Beth Munk
Shuana Neigh
Danny Solesbee
Don Williams
Lloyd Williams
Judd Van Gorder
Oregon Aviation Historical Society
Gifford & Gifford Attorneys at Law
Cascade Home Center
CG Body Studio
CG Body Studio
Busterʼs Main Street Café
Five Flying Monkeys
Retired, Past Board President
South Lane Television
Carousel House B&B and Catering
Advisors
Tim Herrmann
Celeste Krueger
Richard Meyers/Mike Fleck
Garrett Bridgens
PeaceHealth Cottage Grove Community Medical Center
Pacifi c Power
City of Cottage Grove
South Lane School District
Visitor Center Volunteers:
Heidi Abbott, Dotti Bittner, Tara Sue Hughart, Susan Jeppesen, Suzy Kanich,
Marie Longfellow, Judd Van Gorder, Sharon Van Gorder, Penny Westling, Nolene
Wheeler.
Staff:
Travis Palmer, Executive Director
Beth Martin, Offi ce Manager
Mavis Bradsby, Bookkeeper
Jessica Baker, Membership
Developement Coordinator
Five Year Vision Statement:
Th e Cottage Grove Area Chamber of
Commerce promotes Cottage Grove as
a prosperous destination community.
Economic vitality is at the heart of
everything we do. As a resource for
businesses, we are the conduit that provides
advocacy, marketing, education, and
networking opportunities to over 300
members.