I am pro-business because businesses are the economic drivers of the community, and the well-being of the community is dependent on the economy. Businesses contribute value on multiple levels: jobs, community benefit, services, and growth.
I support the natural resources industries, farming, fishing, and timber, which are essential to our economy and to our way of life. I recently stood up for Oregon’s crabbing industry when it was threatened by a petition from a coalition of environmental organizations demanding rule changes that would have crippled our crabbing fleet.
I support tourism as a vital, growing leg of our economic stool. Many local businesses are dependent on tourists, and the cities and the county are dependent on transient tax dollars paid by the visitors.
I support the construction industry. Practically every aspect of construction reflects growth in the county. I consistently advocate for county services that support the industry, and I troubleshoot issues when asked.
I support developers. God knows we need more housing in Tillamook County, and developers are essential for housing solutions. In 2019 Tillamook County pioneered the housing production solutions fund, which has helped multiple workforce housing developments to move forward, resulting in hundreds of new units of housing.
I support every kind of housing development, including affordable housing, workforce housing, single family homes, multi-family units, mixed use housing, and luxury housing. We need all of it to be a vibrant, thriving community.
I support the tech industry. Aerostar Tillamook is a great example of an innovative, successful high-tech business in our community. I recently attended a conference at Aerostar’s invitation and made a pitch to invite adjacent industries to consider moving to the Port of Tillamook Bay. Aerostar could be the hub of an industry center based in Tillamook County.
I have been on the Economic Development Council (EDC) of Tillamook County board of
directors for 7 years, where I am chair. The purpose of EDC is to strengthen and grow the local economy through support, recruitment, and retention of businesses. Recent successes include expanding the Enterprise Zone to support local business growth and launching LevelUp Tillamook to support entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Currently, the EDC is applying for an Opportunity Zone designation that, if our application is successful, would provide funding for businesses and housing developers in South Tillamook County, where investment is desperately needed.
A healthy economy encourages people to contribute generously to resources that we all value, such as the Tillamook YMCA, and fundraising efforts like Tillamook High School Charity Drive. A thriving business community enables investments that contribute to quality of life in our community and opportunity for our kids.