• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

shland Living and Doing Business Guide 2012 What other people say about shland…. Top 10 Best Places to Live – CNN Money Magazine, 2009 Photo by Graham Lewis Top 10 Best Outside Towns to Live – Outside Magazine, June 2010 Top 10 places in the world to visit based on Geo-tourism, tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place – its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents. - National Geographic Adventure, 2010 Photo by Sean Baghshaw Home to one of the Top 20 Best Schools in America, Southern Oregon University for education and access to outdoors – Outside Magazine, 2009 Top 25 Best Towns to Retire – CNN Money Magazine, 2010 Most Beautiful Villages and Towns of the Pacific Northwest, Photo by Rich Carlson Joan Tapper 2010. Best Town for Trail Running – Trailrunner Magazine, June 2010 The “jumping off point” for adventure – PDX Magazine 2010 Tony Award-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival Photo by Graham Lewis Cover photo by Graham Lewis What Ashland residents say are the Top 10 reasons they live in Ashland.... 1. Great place to raise a family and grow a business Photo by Sean Bagshaw 2. Common values that support sustainable green practices & organic farming 3. Small town charm – vibrant downtown – unique shops 4. Great restaurants, artisan foods, wines and organic produce 5. Cultural amenities – plays, music, Photo by Sean Bagshaw museums, galleries, local events 6. Scenic beauty, four season climate – access to outdoor recreation 7. University town – educational and cultural opportunities for citizens 8. Lithia Park – Ashland creek, duck ponds, band shell and walking Photo by Sue Newman trails 9. Preservation and value of historic buildings – residential & business 10. Educated and involved citizenry – people can and do make a difference Photo by Christopher Briscoe Welcome Nestled at the base of the convergence of the Siskiyou and Cascade mountain ranges at an elevation of 2,000 feet, Ashland residents have a deep respect for nature and share a common dependence on our natural environment for clean water, air and wise land use. Ashland is dependent Photo by Sean Bagshaw solely on its watershed for its water. Southern Oregon is one of the 13 most bio- diverse regions in the world with a climate that supports sustainable and organic agriculture boasting a rich environment for farms and vineyards with a growing interest in urban farming in Ashland. Ashland is known as a place for innovation and creativity and enjoys an historic legacy of education and culture that is authentically deserved. In 2012, Ashland is Photo by Sean Bagshaw celebrating 140 years of higher education with Southern Oregon University that supports a population that has a proportionately high level of educational attainment. As home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival since its founding in 1935, Ashland’s educated citizenry is complimented by an exceptionally highly educated visitor population. These visitors and residents support businesses that provide rich offerings in the performing and visual arts, outstanding cuisine in over 80 restaurants, artisan foods, compelling independent shops and stunning galleries. Photo by Graham Lewis In Ashland, many businesses apply sustainable practices with a number of leading-edge green businesses as well as technology innovators and high performing companies. Residents of Ashland have intense civic pride and are involved in volunteer activities that range from City commissions to non- profit organizations, spiritual organizations Photo by Christopher Briscoe and civic groups. We welcome diversity of race, thought and lifestyle. 4 www.ashlandchamber.com Photo by Christopher Briscoe LIVING AND CONTENTS: DOING BUSINESS GUIDE Ashland’s History ............................................ 4 Chamber History ..............................................6 Executive Director’s Message ........................ 6 Chamber Leadership ....................................... 8 Chamber Programs ........................................ 10 Our Climate & Geology .................................. 12 shland Water - Past & Present....................................13 Outdoors ....................................................... 16 World Class Recreation ................................. 18 Cultural ........................................................... 21 Culinary ...........................................................27 Community Events .........................................30 Community .................................................... 32 Community Resources ...................................33 Education ....................................................... 34 Guanajuato, our Sister City .......................... 39 Healthcare ..................................................... 40 Retirement & Senior Services ...................... 49 Housing & Real Estate ...................................50 The Economy ................................................. 54 Demographics ................................................55 Educational Attainment ............................... 56 Labor Market .................................................57 Economic Development ................................60 The Role of Tourism ...................................... 61 Retail Trade ................................................... 65 Ashland High-Performing Businesses and Support Services ................................66 2012 Featured Companies ..............................68 Green Businesses ...........................................74 Financial & Transportation ............................75 World’s Only Wildlife Forensics Lab .............76 110 East Main Street • PO Box 1360 • Ashland, OR 97520 Ashland Marketplace .....................................78 (541) 482-3486 • (541) 482-2350 Fax Member Directory ........................................ 79 Contacts ......................................................... 88 CREDITS: Ashland Chamber of Commerce LIVING AND DOING BUSINESS GUIDE 2012 Project Manager: ........................................... Sandra Slattery Copywriting:................ Katharine Flanagan, Sandra Slattery and Rebecca Reid Data Collection: ......................................... Kelsey Holderness Copy editing, Advertising & Sales: .............. Dana Fortmiller, and Katharine Flanagan Graphic Design and Production: ......................... Dana Welsh Photo by Sean Bagshaw Living & Doing Business 5 shland’s History Ashland Mills circa 1878 t is clear that the land we call home has long, varied County Ohio, had tried their hands unsuccessfully. and fascinating roots. Much of what we know is Helman, having crossed the Siskiyou Mountains not written — it is lore passed on by people who remembered a creek that ran strong, sheltered by the have passed on beliefs, traditions and a value system, mountains, in what looked to be a fertile valley. Upon Ithrough storytelling and legends. Much of their message his recommendation the two men decided to stake resonates today. Estimates based on carbon dating claims in that place. They decided that supplying miners show that various tribes lived in our region as far back as would be far more lucrative than actually mining itself. 6,000 BC. These various tribes are responsible for many They built a lumber mill first. They did so well that they of our current names (Lithia water, Siskiyou Mountains). started a flour mill in 1854. Thus the town of Ashland The early Southwestern Oregon Native Americans were Mills was born. The fledgling settlement gained some highly mobile hunters and traders. Many of their food stability in 1855 when Helman donated twelve building resources, such as salmon, acorns, seeds, and berries sites around the mill to create a central business district. were seasonal. Other species, such as shellfish, elk, deer Wooden structures sprung up including a blacksmith, and smaller ground animals, were available year-round. meat market, cabinet shop and livery. This gathering The original Native American hunting and trading trails place soon became known as the Plaza. It is still called became the fur trading routes of early trappers and that today. The Plaza has always been an intersection explorers, and later the wagon train routes that would and arena for civic activities and social gatherings. It was lead eventually to our current system of roads, such also a sought after meeting place for Ashland seniors, as I-5 freeway. As time progressed, and villages were who gathered daily to soak the sun, swap stories and more developed, they built houses by digging shallow sip the town’s healing elixir, Lithia Water. Prior to the pits and roofing them with structures of poles, bark immigration of settlers, Native Americans used the and brush. Two primary tribes in the Ashland area were mineral waters surrounding Ashland in the care of the the Athabascan-speaking tribes of the Takelma and sick and the aged. At one time, in the 1930’s, there Shasta Indians. The City of Ashland is built on the ruins was hope that Ashland would become a renowned and of a Shasta Indian village. In the pioneer settlement of profitable spa similar to those found in Europe. When the area, as in much of the nation, there were intense the pipeline maintenance costs became prohibitive and conflicts and battles with the Native Americans. Many with the advent of World War II, interest and enthusiasm members of the tribes that existed in the Rogue Valley waned. were taken to reservations to live. Even though many

Load more

  92

Copy Link