shland Living and Doing Business Guide 2013 Welcome Ashland is nestled at the base of the convergence of the Siskiyou and Cascade mountain ranges at an elevation of 2,000 feet. It’s 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 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. For over 140 years, Southern Oregon University has supported a residential population that has a proportionately high level of educa- tional 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. 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 and civic groups. We welcome diversity of race, thought and lifestyle. 1. & 3. Photos by Graham Lewis 2. Photo by Sean Bagshaw Outdoor Exposure 4. Photo by Christopher Briscoe 2 www.ashlandchamber.com LIVING AND CONTENTS: DOING BUSINESS GUIDE Chamber Leadership ................................... 2 Chamber History ........................................... 4 Chamber Programs ....................................... 5 Ashland’s History ......................................... 8 Climate & Geology ....................................... 9 shland Water - Past & Present ................................ 13 Outdoors .................................................... 15 Outdoor Recreation .................................... 18 Cultural ....................................................... 21 Culinary ....................................................... 28 Community Events ..................................... 30 Green / Best Practices Committee ............. 31 Community ................................................ 32 Community Resources ............................... 33 Guanajuato, our Sister City ....................... 34 Education ................................................... 35 Higher Education ........................................ 36 Health Care ................................................. 40 Ashland Street Map .................................... 46 Retirement & Senior Services ................... 48 Housing & Real Estate ................................ 50 The Economy .............................................. 56 Demographics ............................................. 57 Educational Attainment ............................ 58 Labor Market............................................... 59 Economic Development ............................. 62 The Role of Tourism ................................... 63 Retail Trade ................................................ 67 Technology .................................................. 68 Financial ...................................................... 69 Transportation ............................................ 71 World’s Only Wildlife Forensics Lab .......... 72 Ashland Marketplace ................................. 73 110 East Main Street • PO Box 1360 • Ashland, OR 97520 Member Directory (by category)............... 74 (541) 482-3486 • (541) 482-2350 Fax Member Directory (alphabetical) .............. 84 Contacts ....................................................... 87 CREDITS: Service Clubs & Organizations .................. 88 Religious & Spiritual Organizations .......... 88 Ashland Chamber of Commerce LIVING AND DOING BUSINESS GUIDE 2013 Project Manager: ..................................................... Sandra Slattery Copywriting: .................... Katharine Flanagan, Sandra Slattery Cover photo by and Rebecca Reid Sean Bagshaw Data Collection: ................................................. Kelsey Holderness OutdoorExposurePhoto.com Copy editing, Advertising & Sales: ................ Dana Fortmiller, and Katharine Flanagan Graphic Design and Production: ............................ Dana Welsh Photo Coordinator..................................................... Graham Lewis Living & Doing Business 1 Chamber Leadership President’s Message – Lisa Beam As a native to the Rogue Valley, I was well aware of what a spectacular place Ashland is to live. Having spent some years outside of Oregon, it only reinforced my positive perspective of Ashland and Southern Oregon. Ashland is a quaint town with it all; creative and entrepreneurial people, a strong arts community, year-round outdoor recreation and residents who truly invest and take pride in where they live. This guide along with the information presented on the Chamber website will give you a wonderful overview of what Ashland has to offer. Whether you are considering a life-changing transition or are just seeking a wonderful vacation getaway, I have no doubt that you will be encouraged and motivated to see Ashland for yourself first-hand. Lisa Beam Chamber President Co-Owner, Pasta Piatti Co-Owner, Sesame Asian Kitchen Chamber Board 2012-13 Left to Right: Meiwen Richards, US Bank; Alex Amarotico, Standing Stone Brewing Co.; Annie Hoy, Ashland Food Cooperative; Mark Marchetti, Ashland Community Hospital; Marie Donovan, Ashland Homes Real Estate; Livia Genise, Camelot Theatre Co.; Lisa Beam, Pasta Piatti/Sesame Asian Kitchen; Jim Teece, Project A/Ashland Home Net; Cindy Bernard, Rogue Valley Roasting Co.; Mary Gardiner, SOU International Programs; Drew Gibbs, Alchemy Restaurant & Nancy Morgan, Yala. 1., 2. & 4. Photos by Judith Pavlik 3. Photo by Christopher Briscoe 2 www.ashlandchamber.com Executive Director’s Message - Sandra Slattery Improving the economic health, vitality and livability of Ashland is at the cornerstone of the Chamber’s programs. Our core values stem from an appreciation and support for what small business contributes to society through jobs, financial donations and volunteerism. We value cultural diversity, quality education, a clean environment, healthy business sector, and a family-friendly small town. The services we offer our visitors, residents and businesses underscore these values and work to strengthen our collaborative partnerships creating a sustainable community. Dedicated, caring and creative individuals working tirelessly year-round is what has made the Chamber the positive force it is for over one hundred years. I am grateful to be a part of it and humbled by those who give of their time and resources for the betterment of society enhancing our quality of life. Sandra Slattery Executive Director, Ashland Chamber of Commerce Chamber Board 2012-13 Chamber Staff 2012-13 (Left to Right, Back to Front): Graham Lewis Volunteer Coordinator/ Staff Photographer Katharine Flanagan VCB, Sales & Marketing Director Kelsey Holderness Projects & Special Events Coordinator Dana Fortmiller Membership Development Manager Sandra Slattery Executive Director Dana Welsh Operations Manager/ Graphic Design/ Website Administration Living & Doing Business 3 The AshlAnd ChAmber of CommerCe Historically grounded since 1889, the Chamber, formerly the Ashland Board of Trade and Ashland Commercial Club, promotes businesses and the community by providing business resources, creating events, maintaining strong community partnerships, promoting tourism, conducting community issues discussions and collaborative problem solving while providing community leadership. C.B. Watson Business people working through the Chamber in large and He helped the Club see the benefits of “boosting” tourism by small ways have provided the leadership in the Chamber to converting industrial mill lands into a park. This effort exemplified help guide major efforts whose legacy’s we benefit from today. the City Beautiful movement, converting blunt frontier utility to Many of these former Ashland “heros” are unknown to many now, more aesthetically pleasing and cultured presentation, an ethic but without their efforts we would not enjoy the life we have especially appealing to the women of town. Alongside his wife, today. The following are just a few of their accomplishments: Ella J. Chitwood Watson, he assisted at the organizational meeting of the Ashland Woman’s Civic Improvement Club, where he shared his vision for a grand park, extending along Ashland Creek The Early Years: from the town’s Plaza eighteen miles up to the summit of Ashland The Ashland Watershed – Butte (present day Mt. Ashland – a name change promoted The Ashland Board of Trade met with the newly elected city council by the Ashland Commercial Club to add ‘grandeur’). At the and mayor in December 1891 and agreed to petition to reserve the Commercial Club, Watson gave his “well-known and pronounced Ashland watershed. The petition delivered to President Cleveland views favoring every movement that will enhance the beauty