We’re listening to what you’d like from your Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce Team! As a result of your requests, each month we’re going to send out a quick recap of the highlights from the previous month. We’re always interested in your questions or feedback on our current direction and program development, so please reach out to our staff if you’d like to follow up on any of our monthly “Chamber Chat” topics.

For August 2019, our Yamhill County Economic Development grant for Workforce Development Marketing (a program we’re calling the “Chehalem Valley Spotlight”) has been forwarded to the Yamhill County Commissioners, with a recommendation for full funding. These funds will be used to produce 12 videos promoting local traded-sector and skilled-workforce career opportunities to our students, to help them prepare for successful transitions after high school.

Our 4th Quarter Visitor Center Report was approved by the City Council; this was the final quarterly report that addressed TLT funds being spent by our Chamber on behalf of regional tourism and marketing. Those funds are now managed by our new destination marketing organization (DMO), Visit Newberg and Exec. Director Leslie Caldwell.

Newberg School District has hired a full-time Post-Secondary Success Coordinator, Jordan Terriere Dobroglio. Together with NHS Principal Tami Erion, Jordan and Chamber CEO Shannon will revisit a youth workforce development program, including an expansion of Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities for our local students.

Our Certificate of Origin process has been revised and we will require site visits for all first-time certificates, including for Chamber Members. Please call our office to schedule your site visit, if needed.

Our Chamber is co-hosting an information/business networking series with Headwater Investment Consulting and First Federal Community Bank called, “Newberg Perk,” on the 3rd Wednesday of each month for a 90-day trial run. Each session will have a different, business-related topic and will feature local business people as educators on each subject. Our first event is Wednesday, Sept 18th, 7:30am-8:30am at the First Federal Newberg Community Room, featuring speakers from A.R.E. Manufacturing (Alvin Elbert) and Newberg Steel (Jeff Lane) speaking on the effects of rising tariffs on local small businesses. The event is FREE for our entire community and includes coffee and a light breakfast.

Shannon and Josh were also fortunate to attend the 4-day Western Association of Chamber Executives Academy, hosted by the California State Chamber in Sacramento. Josh also recently attended a 2-day software training event in Vancouver, Washington, on Chambermaster, the program we use to stay organized in our relationships with members. We appreciate the opportunity to grow as professionals and learn the best tools and practices to continue supporting your success.