As we approach the final weeks before the November 5th, General Election, I want to take a moment to highlight several critical legislative and community issues that directly impact our business environment and economic future. Your engagement is essential in these matters, and I strongly encourage you to take action where needed.
Candidate Forum – October 24, 2024: Your Opportunity to Shape Business Policy
The upcoming Candidate Forum on October 24 is one of the most important opportunities for our business community to engage with candidates and influence the direction of local government. These candidates will have a direct impact on the policies that affect businesses in McMinnville, including taxes, regulations, economic development, and workforce housing.
Why your attendance matters: This forum is your chance to hear the answers to tough questions, ensure that candidates understand the needs of the business community, and get clarity on their positions. Whether it’s about the impact of houselessness on our community, improving access to childcare, or ensuring a skilled workforce and workforce housing, the business perspective must be front and center in these conversations.
I strongly encourage you to attend and participate in the discussion. It’s vital that we, as business leaders, make our voices heard to ensure a pro-business climate for McMinnville’s future.
Event Details:
Date: October 24, 2024
Time: 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Location: Oregon Mutual Insurance Community Room
400 NE Baker Street McMinnville, OR
LINK
Open to the public
Supporting the Chemeketa 2024 Bond: Investing in Workforce Development
Workforce development is key to the success of local businesses, and Chemeketa Community College plays an essential role in training the next generation of workers. The Chemeketa 2024 Bond will provide much-needed funding to expand and improve technical and vocational programs that benefit our entire region.
To help our members get more informed, our Chamber Greeters event on October 18 will be held at Chemeketa Community College Yamhill Valley Campus. This is a fantastic opportunity to hear directly from Chemeketa representatives, ask questions, and get detailed information about the bond and how it will impact the community. We encourage you to attend and learn more about how this bond can benefit workforce development in our region.
Supporting this bond means ensuring that McMinnville businesses have access to skilled labor and can continue to grow and compete. We urge you to vote YES.
Event Details:
Date: October 18, 2024
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 am
Location: Chemeketa Community College Yamhill Campus
For more details about the bond, visit: Chemeketa 2024 Bond.
Our Opposition to Measure 118: Protecting Businesses and Consumers
The McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce is united in its opposition to Measure 118, and we urge you to vote NO. We have been actively involved in statewide advocacy and education efforts, both for our members and the broader community, to ensure that everyone understands the harmful impacts of this measure.
Why Measure 118 is Bad for Oregon:
- Massive Tax on Sales: Measure 118 is a gross receipts tax on businesses with more than $25 million in annual sales, meaning companies would be taxed on sales rather than profits. This $6.8 billion tax could force businesses to raise prices, cut jobs, or even shut down.
- Tax on a Tax: The measure adds a 3% tax at every step of the supply chain, making products more expensive as they move from manufacturer to retailer.
- Less Competitive Local Businesses: Oregon businesses have already faced a 43% tax increase in recent years, and this measure would further disadvantage them against out-of-state competitors, potentially driving jobs and revenue out of the state.
- Higher Consumer Prices: At a time when the cost of living is skyrocketing, Measure 118 would increase prices on essential goods and services like food, medicine, and electricity, disproportionately impacting those who can least afford it.
For more information and to learn how you can get involved in opposing Measure 118, visit: No on Measure 118.Newberg-Dundee Bypass: Pushing for Transportation Infrastructure
Transportation infrastructure is vital for McMinnville’s business community, particularly in moving goods efficiently and reducing congestion. The Newberg-Dundee Bypass is a key project that we have been advocating for over the years, and its completion is essential for the long-term economic health of our region.
Our advocacy for the bypass includes sitting on the Joint Transportation Taskforce and participating in the Workgroup on Finishing 2017 Priorities, where the bypass is a named project. With Phase 1 completed and Phase 2a funded and moving into construction, we have momentum, but completing the bypass remains a priority for our region’s future.
Why the bypass matters:
- Reduced Traffic Congestion: The bypass will alleviate the heavy traffic through Newberg and Dundee, improving mobility and safety.
- Economic Impact: A completed bypass will create new opportunities for commerce and tourism, driving growth for McMinnville and beyond.
- Federal and State Investments: This project has already secured $40 million in federal grants and significant local investment, making it a crucial priority for future transportation funding.
We will continue to push for the necessary funding and support to ensure that this project is completed.
Your Role: Stay Engaged, Stay Informed
As members of the McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce, your voice and involvement are key to the success of our community. Whether it’s attending the Candidate Forum, voting against harmful measures like Measure 118, supporting workforce development through the Chemeketa Bond, or advocating for crucial infrastructure projects like the bypass, your actions can make a real difference.
If you have any questions about these issues or want to get more involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Chamber of Commerce. Let’s continue working together to make McMinnville a great place to live and work.
Learn more about the Chamber of Commerce HERE!
