Creating A Strong Local Economy

The Chamber's number one priority is to help local companies grow their businesses by taking the lead in programs and efforts that create a strong local economy and make our community a great place to do business.

“I feel that my experience has been magnified because of my participation in the behind-the-scenes workings of the Chamber Latino Network.  Many people may not realize that we are more than a networking group.  Last year alone we gave 10 deserving students scholarships to various colleges and universities.”

                                                                                 --Chela Sanchez, New York Life

Following are some examples of how we create a strong economy:

• Work with our governmental agency partners to develop processes of cooperation between agencies and the business community that foster a positive and responsible climate for economic development.
• Co-sponsor the Southern Oregon Business Conference, which brings together close to 300 business professionals to learn about issues impacting southern Oregon.
• Support education - specifically by making the joint SOU/RCC educational center in downtown Medford our #1 legislative priority and through the Chamber Latino Network and Future First Citizen Scholarship funds.
• Support family wage jobs and firms.
• Focus on tourism, which brings visitors to southern Oregon, in turn bringing millions of dollars of revenue to businesses in our communities.
• Streamline the permit process.
• Unite the community by bringing together business people from The Chamber and the Latino community in a monthly meeting for the purposes of networking and education.
• Facilitate collaboration by bringing community members together to discuss issues surrounding transportation, technology, health care, education, legislation, etc. and formulate strategies to meet the needs of business people and make a positive difference for our community.
• Work for government policies that promote, rather than inhibit, job-creating investments in technology.  The investment in our technology infrastructure - its speed, availability, applications and security - is as vital to our economic base as other critical infrastructure. 
• Win public support for transportation, increasing funding, bolstering security and safety and reducing the red tape and regulations that can delay vital projects for years.
• Improve access to insurance for those who don’t have it, in southern Oregon, without jeopardizing the coverage of those who do.

Photo Credit: Delta Connection begins air service between Medford and Salt Lake City in March, thereby creating greater opportunities for business and leisure travel, which strengthens our local economy.