The Business Review January 2022

A monthly online digital publication, The Business Review targets business leaders from the Rogue Valley and beyond. This means that your published articles and advertising message are being seen, read and remembered by those who are seeking your products or services in and around Jackson County and within more than 55 Oregon communities.

THE BUSINESS REVIEW THE CHAMBER OF MEDFORD & JACKSON COUNTY

JANUARY 2022

2022 A Forecast of Jobs & Economic Growth

CONTENTS JANUARY 2022 | VOLUME 22 | ISSUE 1 6

LEADERSHIP MATTERS 4 A Letter from the Editor CREATING A STRONG ECONOMY 6 A Renewed Sense of Growth and Prosperity in Southern Oregon’s Business Community 8 F ree At-Home Rapid COVID-19 Tests Now Available to Americans 10 N ovember 2021 Employment and Unemployment in Oregon’s Counties OREGON UPDATES 12 C OVID-19 Testing Guidance 14 R egence Healthcare Now Covering Over-The-Counter COVID-19 Tests PROMOTING THE COMMUNITY 18 T he Celebrate Oregon! REPRESENTING BUSINESS ISSUES 22 S outhern Oregon Historical Society Sponsors Logo Design Contest LOCAL SPOTLIGHT 24 H onoring Our Greeters of the Month 26 V irtual Seminar: Genealogy Potpourri 27 JCPH to Focus on COVID Outbreaks Rather Than Individual Cases 28 R ogue Credit Union Announces New President/CEO 29 O DF Southwest Oregon District Now Hiring for Fire Season 2022 PROVIDING NETWORKING Mural and Its Southern Oregon Representations

OPPORTUNITIES 30 D iscussing the Future of

Southern Oregon Businesses at The Chamber of Medford & Jackson County Forum

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

The Business Review | January 2022

Promote. Promoting the community. Create. Creating a strong local economy. Connect. Providing networking opportunities. Represent. Representing business issues. Our Strategic Objectives

Meet the Editorial Staff

Eli Matthews President & CEO eli@medfordchamber.com 541-608-8526

Irmes Dagba-Craven Vice President, Communications & Programs irmes@medfordchamber.com 541-608-8534

Kira Zavala Director of Business

Development & Partnerships kira@medfordchamber.com 541-608-8522

Cathy Watt Office Administrator cathy@medfordchamber.com 541-608-8515

The Chamber of Medford & Jackson County 101 E 8th St, Medford, OR 97501 (541) 779-4847 • medfordchamber.com

medfordchamber.com

January 2022 | The Business Review

LEADERSHIP MATTERS A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

2022 is going to be a busy year for The Chamber. We hit the ground running and are excited to share many upcoming events and opportunities with you. The Chamber Leadership Program is accepting applications now through March 1, 2022. The program includes eight educational sessions, which begin in April. Participants meet the third Tuesday of each month from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. for a curriculum centered around a main topic. There will also be behind-the-scenes tours, demonstrations and interactive activities, lectures, and briefings. Additionally, we are introducing a new subject to the Leadership Program — personal development activities. This will help participants reflect, grow self-awareness as leaders or future leaders, and learn interpersonal skills. We welcome business and community leaders to apply, and learn more on our website. Then on Valentine’s Day, The Chamber is celebrating this day of love at our next Forum. Similar to January, February’s Forum will be a hybrid event, with the option to attend virtually, or in person at the Rogue Valley Country Club. The presentation will start at 12 p.m. You can register for Forum on The Chamber website. Our weekly Greeters will also be hybrid, although with the recent increase in COVID cases, we are holding it entirely virtual for now. The health and safety of our members and staff is paramount, so we are taking the proper precautions. Additionally, The Chamber’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) will be returning soon. YPN's mission is to connect, develop and empower young professionals to become the region's future leaders. If you are passionate about making an impact in our community and your career, stay tuned for more details about future events. First and foremost, The Chamber is focused on making connections between our members and the community. We understand many companies are seeking employees, so we created the Chamber Job Board to connect businesses with employees in need of work. Employers who are Chamber's members may post their jobs at no charge. You may view the Job Board and learn more on our website. The Chamber has many exciting things planned for 2022. We are entering the new year with a positive attitude, and creating safe, educational, and rewarding events for our members and the community.

Sincerely,

Irmes Dagba-Craven Editor in Chief/Vice President of Communications & Programs The Chamber of Medford & Jackson County

The Business Review | January 2022

January 2022 | The Business Review

CREATING A STRONG ECONOMY

A Renewed Sense of Growth and Prosperity in Southern Oregon’s Business Community Medford, OR | January 2022 | Contributed B usinesses endured many ob- stacles during the pandemic, some of which they are still

dealing with today. These include supply chain issues, difficulty find - ing employees, changes in man- dates, and other challenges. But now, Southern Oregon is seeing growth from projects which will propel the region forward after the economic distress caused by pandemic. There will be several new commercial and residential projects, which will create jobs, housing, and improve the local economy. Rogue Credit Union has two large projects coming up, including the creation of their Support Services/ West Medford branch. Additionally, the new Rogue Credit Union/City of Medford Community Complex, slated to open in 2023, will have a huge impact on the community and economy. It will provide recreational services for locals, as well as a large space to hold more sports tournaments. In turn, this will lead to more visitors coming to the Rogue Valley and more dollars spent at restaurants, hotels and other local businesses. In the medical space, Asante is expanding their medical center and building the new Asante Heimann Cancer Center. The latter will open in January. Expanding treatment services will result in more health- care jobs and better patient care. Additionally, the tourism market is rebounding after the

The $62 million Rogue Credit Union Community Complex broke ground in September 2021, making it the largest building the city of Medford has ever taken on. The idea for the project had been in the works since 2016.

A long-awaited expansion of Northgate Marketplace could begin next summer, offering a hotel, office buildings and more shops for north Medford. The project, under development by Northgate Center LLC, would be built just north of Chick-fil-A and would house six buildings and a large parking area.

The Business Review | January 2022

The principal goal was to create a flexible, healthy and sustainable complex that would be viable for the longevity of the credit union. The project is expected to be completed in June of 2022.

pandemic, which includes the addition of many new hotels. The Springhill Suites in Navigators Landing and the Margaritaville Hotel in South Medford are just two of the new hotels being built. These hotels will generate jobs and increase tourism. That means more dollars spent throughout the Rogue Valley, which will boost the local economy. The creation of new hotels, businesses and medical centers will have a profound impact in Southern Oregon. These projects will create more jobs, and some of those employees will relocate from other areas. Available housing is already a concern in the region, but there are plans for new developments to help increase the housing inventory. New housing projects include the Northgate Marketplace expansion (400 apartments), the Genesis housing project (63 units), and a MURA project will build 100 low-income housing units. The pandemic affected businesses, housing prices, and much more. But in Southern Oregon, new opportunities abound. These changes will have a positive impact on many parts of our region and encourage growth after the pandemic. n

An architectural rendering of the Asante’s Heimann Cancer Center opening January 2022.

Located near Harry & David headquarters, the Margaritaville Hotel will provide an intimate island-inspired paradise for travelers searching for the Margaritaville state of mind. This brand-new hotel will feature an outdoor pool and 111 guest rooms with signature bedding and casual comforts that are ready to help guests relax, rejuvenate and escape the very day.

A new hotel from SpringHill Suites by Marriott is under construction in Navigator’s Landing near the Rogue Valley International Airport. It is slated to be completed in 2022.

January 2022 | The Business Review

CREATING A STRONG ECONOMY

Free At-Home Rapid COVID-19 Tests Now Available to Americans Washington, DC | January 14, 2022 | Press Release

T he Biden Administration is Buying One Billion Tests to Give to Americans for Free; Online Ordering of a Half-Billion Tests Begins on January 19th; Builds on Significant Actions to Expand Testing Capacity and Increase Access to Free Testing. Testing is an important tool to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Public health experts and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that Americans use at-home tests if they begin to have symptoms, at least five days after coming in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, or are gathering indoors with a group of people who are at risk of severe disease or unvaccinated. To help ensure Americans have tests on hand if a need arises, the Biden Administration is purchasing one billion at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests to give to Americans for free. A half-billion tests will be available for order on January 19th and will be mailed directly to American households. There will be free tests available for every household, and to promote broad access, the initial program will allow four free tests to be requested per residential address. Starting January 19th, Americans will be able to order their tests online at COVIDTests.gov, and tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering. To ensure equity and access for all Americans, the Administration will also launch a call line to help those unable to access the website to place orders, and work with national and local community-based organizations to support the nation’s hardest-hit and highest-risk communities in requesting tests. In addition to this new program, there are many other options for Americans to get tested. There are now over 20,000 free testing sites across the nation, including four times as many pharmacies participating in the federal pharmacy free testing program as there were in January 2021, as well as federal surge free testing sites, with more free testing sites opening each week. Millions of free, at- home COVID-19 tests have been delivered to thousands of community health centers and rural health clinics to distribute to their patients, with more delivered each week. In addition, the Administration provided schools $10 billion in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding to get tests to K-12 school districts. And, the Administration invested nearly $6 billion in ARP funding to cover free testing for uninsured

individuals, and support testing in correctional facilities, shelters for people experiencing homelessness, and mental health facilities. Just this week, the Administration also announced that starting January 15th, private health insurance companies will be required to cover at-home COVID-19 tests for free— and made an additional 10 million COVID-19 tests available to schools nationwide, each month. Since January 2021, the Administration has taken significant action to dramatically increase the nation’s overall COVID-19 testing supply, the number of tests authorized for use in the U.S., and the number of places where Americans can get a test, while lowering costs for consumers and increasing access to free tests. This comprehensive approach has produced important results: Today, there are nine at-home, rapid tests on the market in the U.S.—up from zero when the President took office. In December, there were more than 300 million at- home, rapid tests available in the U.S. market, up from 24 million in August—a more than 10-fold rise. This month, the number of at-home, rapid tests available to the U.S. market will rise to 375 million—in addition to the free tests available through COVIDTests.gov. Distributing At-Home, Rapid COVID-19 Tests to American Homes for Free: This program will ensure that Americans have at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests available in the weeks and months ahead—in addition to the number of other ways they can get tested. The Administration is quickly completing a contracting process for the unprecedented purchase of one billion at-home, rapid tests to distribute as part of this program. The Department of Defense, in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services, has already awarded several of the contracts that will result from this process—with over 420 million tests already under contract. Given the incredible volume of tests being procured and the diversity of manufacturers, additional contracts will continue to be awarded over the coming weeks. For more information on the ordering process and to read the rest of the article, click here.

The Business Review | January 2022

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January 2022 | The Business Review

CREATING A STRONG ECONOMY

November 2021 Employment and Unemployment in Oregon’s Counties Medford, OR | January 2022 | Article written by SOREDI I n November 2021, 35 of Oregon’s 36 counties experienced over- the-month decreases in their unemployment rates. Seventeen rates in November were Benton (3.2%); Washington (3.5%); and Clackamas, Malheur, Sherman, and Yamhill (3.8% each). Twelve counties had unemployment rates at or below the nationwide and statewide rate of 4.2% to recover from pandemic job losses; the state has now recovered roughly three- quarters of jobs lost in March and April 2020. The largest job increases since

November 2020 occurred in the Willamette Valley (4.5%). The Portland 5 area (3.7%) and Central Oregon (3.5%) also experienced large over-the-year employment increases. Southern Oregon, Eastern Oregon, and the Coast regions added 2.2%, 2.1%, and 1.9%, respectively. n

counties experienced a 0.3 percentage point decrease or more over the month including Baker, Clackamas, Clatsop, Coos, Crook, Curry, Gilliam, Klamath, Multnomah, Tillamook, Union, Wasco, Grant County had Oregon’s highest seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in November at 6.2%. Other counties with some of the highest unemployment rates included Klamath (6.0%), Crook (5.9%), Curry (5.8%), and Lincoln (5.7%). Wheeler County registered the lowest unemployment rate for the month at 2.8%. Other counties with some of the lowest unemployment Yamhill, Hood River, Deschutes, Lane, and Lincoln counties.

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased in all six of Oregon’s broad regions between November 2020 and November 2021. Most areas still have room

The Business Review | January 2022

January 2022 | The Business Review

OREGON UPDATES

COVID-19 Testing Guidance Medford, OR | January 14, 2022 | Press Release A s we experience a surge of COVID-19 cases that is larger than we have previously experienced, we are seeing a limitation in how many tests are available to

our community. The medical community is doing everything it can to meet testing needs, but the realities of limited staff and tests mean we cannot fully meet these needs. To help ensure that those most in need of COVID-19 tests are able to access them, we are requesting help from everyone to make wise choices about when you seek testing and which type of test you request. If you think you may need hospital level care (difficulty breathing, chest pain, blue lips/face, confusion, persistent high fevers, persistent uncontrollable vomiting/diarrhea, etc.), please seek testing and care. If you are at higher risk for complications due to underlying conditions, please seek testing. If you are only mildly ill, please stay home and follow current isolation guidance. If you are seeking a test for screening to travel or attend an event, please consider postponing. If you have been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 but you are low risk (vaccinated, boosted, young, no or few underlying conditions), please consider foregoing a test. PCR testing is excellent for picking up on a COVID-19 diagnosis early in the course of infection. However, these tests can remain positive in some people for 2-3 months, so do not use a PCR test to determine whether or not you are still infectious, nor to determine if you can return to work.

Antigen testing is excellent for helping determine if you are infectious. However, a test to return to work is not required in the current isolation and quarantine guidelines. If you have not had a fever without the use of meds and your symptoms are improving or you never had symptoms, you can return to work on the 6th day of quarantine or isolation without the use of a test. We acknowledge that accessing a test is ideal; unfortunately, during a crisis such as this COVID- 19 surge, we cannot always enact the ideal plans. Please consider forgoing a test if you do not absolutely need one. And please consider which type of test you choose to help preserve medical supplies and medical care for those in greatest need. A lot of guidance is changing right now, and we appreciate everyone’s patience and desire to help the community as we work to get through the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to do what we can to increase testing capacity. If you have questions about isolation, quarantine, COVID-19 infection, please utilize the new OHA Hotline at 866-917-8881 or visit www.oregon.gov/positivecovidtest If you need help finding a testing site, please call 211 or visit https://jacksoncountyor.org/hhs/General/News- Information/covid-19-testing-information n

The Business Review | January 2022

January 2022 | The Business Review

OREGON UPDATES

Regence Healthcare Now Covering Over-The-Counter COVID-19 Tests

Oregon | January 15, 2022 | Press Release A ccess to COVID-19 testing is a critical component of public health and safety, enabling you to navigate the pandemic. Federal guidelines were released this week on coverage of over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests. These call for your health plan to cover the cost of FDA authorized at-home tests without cost sharing during the public health emergency and without need for a provider’s order.

Visit your state’s health department website or the CDC’s Vaccine Finder site to find out where all eligible people can get a COVID-19 vaccine. • Idaho • Oregon • Utah • Washington • VaccineFinder.org Here’s what Regence is doing to support you: • Covering COVID-19 vaccinations and testing • Expanding virtual care (telehealth) services • Allowing early medication refills • Contacting members hospitalized with COVID-19 to provide extra support We’ve made these changes in our Individual and family policies, as well as our fully insured group policies. If your coverage is through a self-funded group plan, you should consult your plan administrator for details. In addition, we’ve extended grace periods for premium payments (as required by state law). Extensions end when those mandates end. For group plans governed by ERISA*, we’ve extended the deadlines by which you must file any claims, appeals, and make special enrollment changes. The period from March 1, 2020, until 60 days after the National Emergency ends won’t count in determining these deadlines. n

The policy allows you to be reimbursed for up to eight OTC at-home tests per person enrolled in the plan per month used for diagnostic reasons, meaning you have symptoms or were in close contact with an infected person. Plans are not required to provide coverage of testing (including an at-home OTC COVID-19 test) for employment, surveillance, tracking or extracurricular activities such as travel or sports. The coverage begins Jan. 15 and is not retroactive, meaning you will not be reimbursed for tests bought before Jan. 15. For more information on where to get an OTC test please see the over-the-counter COVID-19 at-home tests FAQ section here. The COVID-19 vaccine is now widely available for most eli- gible people and rates of vaccination continue to increase. The best protection from COVID-19 and its emerging variants is to be fully vaccinated. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other agencies continue to use science and current available data to provide guidance on getting the COVID-19 vaccine. This includes the approved vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. Speak with your health care provider, such as your doctor or pharmacist, to make sure you are fully vaccinated and have the latest information to protect yourself and others. Regence members can also call our Customer Service team with questions using the number on the back of their ID card. As more people are fully vaccinated, public health guidance will continue to change by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. Visit the CDC’s website or your state’s health department website for the most current information for your area. If we all stay diligent, we can keep ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities safe.

*As a general rule, a plan is governed by ERISA if it is a plan for employees of an employer that is not a government (including a tribe) or church.

The Business Review | January 2022

LEADERSHIP CLASS April 21, 2022

Personal Development Activities Networking Interpersonal Skills Enhancement Self-awareness Growth Employee Performance Improvement Adaptation Etc.

Class Registration extended to March 1st, 2022. Scholarship application extended to March 18th, 2022

medfordchamber.com

January 2022 | The Business Review

The Business Review | January 2022

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January 2022 | The Business Review

PROMOTING THE COMMUNITY

The Celebrate Oregon! Mural and Its Southern Oregon Representations by Emily Hunter | Travel Medford Y ou might have seen a beautiful new addition to Medford’s airport. From a distance, the “Celebrate Oregon!” Cultural Trust mural is a vibrant tapestry from Oregonians and statewide partners, artists of all kinds apply for the Trust’s three competitive Cultural Development Grants.

of Oregon’s Cascade Mountains. Look closer, and the 127 symbols unearth stories of bright history and heritage. From award-winning food and wine, to the glorious hiking and biking scene, here are a few hidden messages you might’ve missed. WHAT IS THE OREGON CULTURAL TRUST? A testimony to how much Oregonians value culture, the Oregon Cultural Trust was created in 2001 to provide funding for artists and creators around the state. Established by the Oregon Legislature, the Oregon Cultural Trust currently works with over 1,600 nonprofits, 45 county and tribal Cultural Coalitions, and other vibrant cultural bounties across the state. Oregonians fund the Cultural Trust. They, in turn, fund the artists, potters, rappers, acrobats and dreamers who make Oregon, Oregon. From Burns to Astoria, every year Oregonians support the Trust through generous matching gifts to fuel Oregon culture. In 2019, Oregonians gave $4.5 million to the Cultural Trust! After donations

An integral part of communities everywhere, the Trust inspires Oregonians to take part and pride in supporting their local creators. No other state provides a 100 percent tax credit to inspire cultural giving. As uniquely Oregonian as public beaches and the bottle bill, the Oregon Cultural Trust provides an ongoing funding engine to support all facets of arts and culture. HOW THE CELEBRATE OREGON! MURAL CAME TO FRUITION For accurate historical depictions and storytelling, artists and designers were nominated by a diverse group of 33 individuals representing Oregon’s artistic and design community. Each nominator was invited to forward the creative brief to artists or designers they felt might be interested. After receiving 36 total submissions of interest, a diverse jury evaluated and recommended 20 artists be invited to submit preliminary concepts in exchange for a $250 honorarium.

The Business Review | January 2022

After receiving several concepts, an expanded jury evaluated each one based on criteria derived from the creative brief. Unanimously recommended to the Cultural Trust Board of Directors, Liza Burns’ design was selected and approved in October. Frequently meeting with several content experts identified through the Governor’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Burns was able to create and finalize symbols included in the design. CREATING THE DESIGN Capturing “Oregon Culture” in a single piece is an extraordinary challenge as Oregon is a diverse and beautiful arrangement of many cultures, each with their own subcultures and nuances. This abundance became the foundation of the piece. The longer you look at the mural, the more your eyes will come to see. A unique place to dine, hike and play, Medford’s culture is filled with diversity. This extraordinary fact is what inspired artist Liza Burns to create a patchwork design - focusing on the abundance of cultures, big and small. Beginning with the unique and diverse landscape, the overlay of the mural features the river valleys, mountains and high deserts of the region. Second, a concept of “symbol overlay” was developed in order to take viewers on a journey of discovery, and foster the idea of an ever-evolving culture. A unique destination to dine, hike and play, discover the diverse culture of Oregon and the Rogue Valley! Get started planning your vacation in the Heart of the Rogue by viewing our Visitor Guide online, and learn more about this beautiful mural and it’s southern Oregon ties on Travel Medford’s blog! n

Click here to learn more about Travel Medford.

January 2022 | The Business Review

ROGUE VALLEY WINE COUNTRY BUCKET LIST

O Upper Rogue Wine Trail O Southern Rogue Wineries O Bear Creek Wine Trail O Applegate Valley Wine Trail O Jacksonville Wineries O Rogue Grape Wine Bar O Britt Festival O Vineyard Picnics O Lavender Fields O Flower U-Picks O Harvest Festivals O Oregon Wine Experience O Live Music at Wineries O Cellar Tours O Winemaker Dinners

“Wine Country the way it should be” - Sunset Magazine

The Business Review | January 2022 TRAVELMEDFORD.ORG

ROGUEVALLEYWINECOUNTRY.COM

January 2022 | The Business Review

REPRESENTING BUSINESS ISSUES

Southern Oregon Historical Society Sponsors Logo Design Contest Medford, OR | January 13, 2022 | Press Release “ The times, they are a changing”—and the Southern Oregon Historical Society is changing with the times! We need a new logo to reflect the new SOHS, and you are invited to create one for us. second largest in Oregon. And of course, SOHS

Hanley Farm, our 150-year- old “living history” property, continues to expand its offerings of programs, events, and rental opportunities.

Because of the broad public that we serve—members, volunteers, community individuals and organizations, school children, visitors, and guests from all over—we are making this a contest with a $1,500 prize for the creator of the entry we select. We want our new logo to reflect who we have been, who we are, and who we will be. We’re both live and virtual. We are moving forward with both a downtown Medford Event Center, and a new Museum. The latter—along with our SOHS Library and Archives—will showcase our 2- and 3-dimensional collection of over a million artifacts, the

You can learn more about SOHS on our existing website here. Also be sure to check out the beta version of our new website here. Logo design entries will be evaluated by a panel of graphic designers based on style, relevance, and multi- functionality. The top three selections will be forwarded to the SOHS Board of Trustees for a final selection. Each entry should include a one-paragraph statement describing the meaning of the design or the thought process behind it. Entries should be submitted to marketing@sohs.org in PDF format (minimum 300 dpi, 600 dpi preferred) by 5pm on Monday, February 28. The winner will be notified by the end of March. Click here for contest rules and details. SOHS will assume ownership of the winning entry and retain all rights to its use. SOHS will reserve the right to modify the selected design for purposes of clarity and resolution and to adapt the design as needed based on context, surface, and application. SOHS will acknowledge the logo design contest winner in a press release, in our e-newsletter, and on social media. SOHS also reserves the right not to use any winning entry; and, if no entry meets SOHS approval, the Society reserves the right not to declare a contest winner. We look forward to your creativity. And, if you are the winner, we look forward to having your design be the “trademark” of SOHS for years to come! For additional information, contact 541-245-3650 or marketing@sohs.org. n

The Business Review | January 2022

NEXT STOP: OAKLEAF RV STORAGE

There’s nothing like exploring the world in your RV. But sooner or later, wanderlust needs a place to park when you’re back in the real world. Here in the Rogue Valley, that place is Oakleaf RV Storage. This brand-new facility provides 24-hour video security and password-gated access. Each spot includes a 30 amp plugin, and there’s an easy-to-use on site service station providing water, air, and waste dump. And you can access your home-away-from-home 24/7. When the journey is over, we’ll be here.

oakleafrvstorage.com

BIG CLEANUPS REQUIRE A BIG BIN

LIFE CAN BE A MESS. The boxes in the garage you’ll get to “someday.” The attic full of “treasures” you no longer treasure. Even the everyday stacks and piles can seem overwhelming. A temporary cleanup bin from Rogue Disposal & Recycling can be a great solution. Each five-yard bin holds roughly the same as thirty 32-gallon trash cans. You can schedule the bin for up to three nights, and the cost includes delivery, removal and one dump of the bin. Bigger bins are available too. Cleaning day has never been easier.

roguedisposal.com

January 2022 | The Business Review

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT

Honoring Our Greeters of the Month

March 2020 Paul Ferris Blue Phoenix Branding

June 2020 Lisa Stadtmiller Youth 71 Five Ministries “I love The Chamber! Everyone is so kind, loving, and generous. It is amazing to have a group of people rally around each other in support. Many businesses/people support 71Five in giving to our events, and we are very grateful to each one of them! The Chamber is awesome!”

May 2020 Tamara Fielding Northridge Senior Living “The Chamber has been encouraging and supportive through the loss of our building. They have provided us with so many opportunities that have helped us with our business.”

February 2020 Genie Gilliam Siskiyou Vital

“The Chamber has provided us with amazing network opportunities.”

“The Chamber has been invaluable in providing us visibility and resources to run our business.”

September 2020 Catherine Greenspan New York Life

October 2020 Tom Parker LifeVantage

August 2020 Tom Ewing US Cellular

“I moved to The Rogue Valley in 2019 and my membership with The Chamber jump- started my deep connections with local businesses and the community at large.”

“The Chamber has provided us with

“I have made many connections with people and businesses in our community. We have been able to meet needs and solve problems for them, and they for us!”

connections and exposure to people, and businesses, with a desire to take charge of their future.”

The Business Review | January 2022

January 2022 | The Business Review

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT

Virtual Seminar: Genealogy Potpourri Medford, OR | January 13, 2022 | Press Release O n February 5, 2022, the Rogue Valley Genealogical Society hosts “Genealogy Potpourri,” a virtual seminar presented by Author and Professional Death Decoded: Documenting Death Records with or without a Death Certificate Ms. Rollins will show you how to find a variety of documents identifying date, place of death, and how to understand what the documents are telling you.

Genealogist, Jane Neff Rollins. As “chief cook and bottle washer” at Sherlock Combs Genealogy, Ms. Rollins has presented at several societies, including the National Genealogical Society, Federation of Genealogical Societies, International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies, Northwest Genealogy Conference and Genealogy Jamboree, as well as several Southern California societies. To learn more about Ms. Collins, visit https://www.apgen.org/users/ jane-neff-rollins. Seminar sessions include: Special Delivery: Birth Records with or without a Birth Certificate When there is no birth certificate, you’ll learn how to find alternatives that identify date, place of birth and, sometimes, parents’ names. A Picture is Worth a 1,000 Words: Dating Your Earliest 20th Century Family Photos You’ll be shown how to identify clues in your photos that will help to pinpoint when and where the photo was taken, and who the people in the photo might be.

Sensitive Subjects: What to Conceal, What to Reveal

In your research, you might discover secrets or sensitive situations that your ancestors may have kept secret. Ms. Rollins will share her personal experiences, and how she handled them with examples form her own family research. To register, visit: https://rvgslibrary.org/FormPage. asp?FormID=17. The seminar is $45 for RVGS Members, and $55 for non-Members. Once you’ve registered, you will receive an email the day before the class with the Zoom invitation.

GENEALOGY POTPOURRI Saturday, February 5 • 10am-4pm RVGS Members: $45 • Non-Members: $55

The Business Review | January 2022

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT

JCPH to Focus on COVID Outbreaks Rather Than Individual Cases Portland, OR | January 2022 | Press Release

O regon Health Authority is moving to an opt- in model for investigating COVID-19 cases, launching a new website and hotline as a way for people who test positive for the virus to get advice and report results from an at-home test kit or testing provider. People using the new Positive COVID Test website and COVID-19 Case Support Hotline, 866-917-8881, can complete an online survey linked from the web portal to report their positive case, or get help completing the survey through the hotline. They can also get information on isolation and other ways to keep themselves and those around them safe while they recover. The launch of the services follows an OHA decision to revise its guidelines for investigating COVID-19 cases to focus less on interviewing individual cases and conducting contact tracing, and more on outbreaks in high-risk settings, such as those in congregate care, K-12 education and food chain industries. As a result of this change, Jackson County Public Health will no longer be conducting individual case investigation and contract tracing, but rather focus on outbreaks in high-risk settings. OHA is adopting an “opt-in” approach to case investigation, with a focus on ensuring that people who test positive for COVID-19 or who are exposed to the virus can quickly access information and resources to safely isolate and quarantine. The first offering is the website, Oregon. gov/positivecovidtest, which contains a link to a mobile- friendly Case Investigation Survey. The survey, soon available in 12 languages – it’s now accessible in English, Spanish and Russian – can be used by anyone who tests positive to provide additional information to public health. OHA does not require individuals to report their at-home test results, but it highly recommends people do so, and let their close contacts know they may have been exposed so they can take steps to limit exposure to others. Hospitals,

COVID-19 Case Support Hotline, 866-917-8881

health care providers, laboratories and local public health authorities are required to report test results. The COVID-19 Case Support Hotline, 866-917-8881, will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Support staff will be available to provide general health information; answers to questions about isolation and quarantine; answers to questions about how to tell close contacts they may have been exposed to COVID-19; information about resources to help them during isolation; and help filling out the online Case Investigation Survey so callers’ positive tests can be reported. Staff will provide support in English and Spanish, with interpreter services available for additional languages. Those staffing the COVID-19 Case Support Hotline include members case investigation and contact tracing team from OHA’s COVID Response and Recovery Unit (CRRU), so they are well qualified to answer questions about isolation, quarantine and available resources. Availably of the hotline also will allow local public health authorities to reduce or eliminate phone-based case investigation, allowing them to redeploy those resources to higher-value mitigation efforts. Hotline staff will also be able to triage calls that might normally go to local public health authorities, forwarding them only if they require local follow-up. n

January 2022 | The Business Review

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT

Rogue Credit Union Announces New President/CEO Medford, OR | January 3, 2022 | Press Release

R ogue Credit Union announces that the Board of Director’s has named current President, Matt Stephenson, the new President/CEO effective April 1, 2022 following the retirement of long-time CEO, Gene Pelham. Pelham’s retirement will bring to a close a remarkable career and more than 18 years of service to Rogue Credit Union. Stephenson joined the credit union in 2004, serving as the Executive Vice President for the last 10 years and President over the past year. His leadership has played an instrumental role in many significant projects over the years including the purchase and assumption of Chetco Federal Credit Union, a core system conversion and a merger with Malheur Federal Credit Union. As a lifelong credit union member, Stephenson’s passion for the credit union movement will continue to propel Rogue into the future. He said, “I have been blessed to work with an amazing team at Rogue for many years. I am extremely honored and humbled to have been selected to lead Rogue in our continuous pursuit of providing our members with the personalized exceptional service they’ve come to expect.” Upon Pelham’s retirement in March, Stephenson will become just the fifth President/CEO in Rogue’s 65-year history. “It was important to the Board of Directors to select a President/CEO who would continue to provide strategic vision, leadership development, commitment to community and doing what is right for the members at Rogue,” stated Board Chair, Philip Smith. Gene Pelham leaves a lasting legacy with over 40 years of experience in the financial services industry. Gene spent the majority of his career pursuing his passion for service as part of the not-for-profit credit union movement. Pelham joined the credit union in 2003 and has served as its fourth President/CEO since 2007. Under his leadership, Rogue Credit Union experienced tremendous success, growing from serving 39,400 members with $303 million in assets to serving over 183,000 members with $3 billion in assets. Pelham propelled the credit union to new heights - successfully leading Rogue through the Great Recession, the purchase and assumption of Chetco Federal Credit

Matt Stephenson, new President/CEO of Rogue Credit Union

Union, and most recently, the merger with Malheur Federal Credit Union. During his tenure, Rogue expanded from seven branch locations to a network of 27 locations, employing over 550 dedicated team members. Under Pelham’s leadership the credit union introduced the Rogue Rewards Ownership Account, which celebrated the cooperative ownership of a not-for-profit member owned financial services provider.” n

The Business Review | January 2022

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT

ODF Southwest Oregon District Now Hiring for Fire Season 2022 Entry-level and experienced firefighter, dispatcher and detection specialist positions available Jackson & Josephine Counties, OR | January 6, 2022 | Press Release T he Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District is recruiting for multiple positions for the upcoming fire season, including entry-level The deadline to apply for all positions is June 30, however interviews will take place from March on; applying early is highly encouraged. Job descriptions and applications can be found here: Firefighter (Entry): https://tinyurl.com/entryfirefighter Firefighter (Experienced): https://tinyurl.com/ experiencedfirefighter

and experienced firefighters, dispatchers and detection specialists, totaling approximately 130 jobs in Jackson and Josephine counties. These seasonal positions generally span from June through October, however, duration may vary depending on conditions. Both Medford and Grants Pass offices are actively hiring; benefits include medical, dental and vision health coverage and paid holidays, as well as personal business, vacation and sick leave.

Forest Officer: https://tinyurl.com/forestofficer Dispatcher: https://tinyurl.com/swodispatcher Detection Specialist: https://tinyurl.com/swodetection

For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry, please call or visit the Southwest Oregon District unit office nearest to you: • Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point – (541) 664-3328 • Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Dr., Grants Pass – (541) 474-3152 Additional information is also available online on our website, www.swofire. com, our Facebook page, @ODFSouthwest and our Twitter account, @swofire.

January 2022 | The Business Review

PROVIDING NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

Discussing the Future of Southern Oregon Businesses at The Chamber of Medford & Jackson County Forum Hybrid Forum with Colleen Padilla, Executive Director of SOREDI. Sponsored by: U.S. Bank, January Forum T he theme of January’s Forum centered around change. Colleen Padilla, Executive Director of SOREDI, noted how much change local businesses Southern Oregon, in addition to reaching out to companies and promoting the qualities of the region. “The number one thing that matters most to companies is if they’ll find the workforce they need to help their company thrive in Southern Oregon, even during pre-pandemic times,” Padilla said.

have undergone because of the pandemic, wildfires, and shifts in the economy. She explained SOREDI has remained active during these unprecedented times, especially the past 20-24 months.

Companies also require industrial land that fits their needs. However, Oregon has the most restrictive land use laws in the nation, according to Padilla. This has been a huge struggle for businesses to overcome because it creates additional restraints on companies which may want to do business here. “But we are still a strategic and desirable location, especially being on the I-5,” she added. However, Southern Oregon has experienced a lot of growth recently, including two Rogue Credit Union building projects, investments with Asante, and the Margaritaville Hotel in South Medford, among others. Even amidst the pandemic and wildfires, there have been key indicators of change happening throughout Southern Oregon. “Most jobs are back, but there are many

Chartered in 1987, SOREDI provides business development services which focus on helping traded-sector, scalable companies. “Our vision has always been for South- ern Oregon to become the most busi- ness-friendly region on the West Coast,” said Padilla. Padilla then introduced SOREDI’s three core services — to launch, prosper and relocate — and went in-depth about each one.

First, their loan program is a large part of how SOREDI helps launch businesses. “In fiscal year 2020-2021, we lent $1.6 million to nine businesses which helped create and retain 72 jobs,” said Padilla. Additionally, SOREDI is actively helping scalable businesses. Padilla urged anyone in attendance to direct upcoming entrepreneurs to seek out information from SOREDI about investments and other financial resources. Next, SOREDI is focused on helping businesses prosper. “We have worked in 15 different jurisdictions and with 516 businesses, and awarded over $7 million in funds through our Grant Administration,” Padilla explained. Recently, SOREDI received grants from the EDA for pandemic relief. They gave $77 million of these funds as sub-grants to partner organizations and small cities. Third, SOREDI helps with relocation services. This includes receiving inquiries from businesses who want to move to

Colleen Padilla, Executive Director of SOREDI

unfilled positions. Unemployment is down and consumers are saving a lot of money,” said Padilla. “Wages are rising, but inflation definitely hurts. Then, housing inventory is still lagging and the prices are very high.” However, Padilla said SOREDI is an organization of doers and they are optimistic about what the future holds for Southern Oregon businesses. “One of the best things you can do is pay it forward,” said Padilla. “Be business friendly and promote Southern Oregon to others.” n

The Business Review | January 2022

January 2022 | The Business Review

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

RENEWING MEMBERS THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Asante Foundation Member since 1993 541-789-5025 Avista Utilities Member since 1935 800-227-9187 Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon Member since 1960 206-332-4969 Britt Music and Arts Festival Member since 1980 541-779-0847 Brophy Schmor LLP Member since 1945 541-772-7123 Eagle Point Golf Course Member since 1996 541-826-8225 Fashion Floors Member since 1985 541-779-0996 Foster Denman, LLP Member since 1980 541-770-5466 Hays Oil Company/BI-MOR Stations Member since 1970 541-772-2053 Insurance Marketplace, Inc. Member since 1980 541-779-0177 Jackson County Fairgrounds/The Expo Member since 1989 541-774-8270 Jackson County Health and Human Services Member since 2000 541-774-7878

Rogue Disposal & Recycling, Inc. Member since 1960 541-779-4161 Rogue Valley Manor Member since 1978 541-857-7777 US Bank Member since 1935 541-776-2685 Valley Immediate Care, LLC Member since 1999 541-858-2515 WCP Solutions Member since 1979 541-779-0400 Montero & Associates, LLC Member since 2000 541-779-0771 Alpacas at Lone Ranch Member since 2003 541-821-8071 Centennial Golf Club Member since 2006 541-773-4653 Ferrellgas Member since 2006 541-826-4664 Hancock Forest Management Member since 2006 541-494-4400 Jackson County Member since 2007 541-774-6003 Renal Care Consultants Member since 2020 541-842-9428 Sandeen Masonry, Inc. Member since 2020 541-479-8844 Lithia Springs Resort Member since 2010 541-482-7128 Progress Estates, LLC Member since 2010 541-779-7113 Oregon Architecture, Inc. Member since 2020 541-772-4372 Rogue Valley Zipline Adventure Member since 2011 541-821-ZIPN (9476) Jim Wright - Civic Member Member since 2013 541-734-7407 Rogue Valley Timbers Soccer Club Member since 2013 541-301-3681

Eureka Payments, LLC Member since 2013 877-476-0570 Prestige Senior Living Arbor Place Member since 2014 541-773-5380 Northridge Senior Living Member since 2018 541-779-6943 Global Consulting and Investigations LLC Member since 2015 541-621-6812 Biomed Diagnostics Inc. Member since 2016 541-830-3000 The Hilton Garden Inn Member since 2016 541-842-9808 Advantage Plumbing LLC Member since 2020 541-621-9232 Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites Member since 2017 541-482-8310 High Grade Excavation, LLC Member since 2019 541-261-8188 Rogue River Cabin, LLC Member since 2019 541-621-5466 Chick-fil-A Crater Lake & Pacific HWY Member since 2019 541-772-0604 Buncom Ranch Member since 2019 541-899-7656 Cornerstone Property Management Member since 2019 541-261-6912 Keller Williams Realty Southern Oregon Member since 2020 541-608-0447 GP Energy Member since 2020 541-291-4425 All-Ways Trucking, Inc. Member since 2020

KMVU-TV Fox 26 Member since 1995 541-772-2600

Propel Insurance Member since 1999 541-245-1111 Lava Lanes of Medford Member since 2000 541- 245-2755 Mahar Homes Member since 1993 541-776-1200 The Village @ Medford Center Member since 2015 310-235-0444 x1 Neilson Research Corporation Member since 2020 541-770-5678

541-608-6514 KDA Homes Member since 2021 541-944-9561 Central Pipeline, Inc. Member since 2020 541-210-2354

The Business Review | January 2022

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