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Astoria-Warrenton Area

Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Chatter

June 26, 2025

Photo from AWACC

Registration is open now for the Great Columbia Crossing 10K Run/Walk on October 12.


See your photo here! Submit an image for consideration.

Show us the view from your business, your shot of the beauty of our area,

or take us behind the scenes with your crew.

NEW MEMBERS


Charter Communications

Adam Aguilera 

419 Gateway Avenue

Astoria, OR 97103

(541) 816-5817 



Reach out to

David, if you would like to suggest a potential new member or

apply online.


Astoria Warrenton Community Calendar

Members: Log in to

submit your events

or use the public form

to add an event.

Sponsor the 4th of July Fireworks


Once again, the chamber is putting on one of the best fireworks shows in the region and you can help. Each year dozens of member businesses sponsor the fireworks, simulcast music, and promotional advertising. Please contact our director, David, to learn more and add your name to the list.

MEMBER RESOURCES


Our Member Resources page is there to help answer any questions about your membership, set up your online profile, and to make the most of your benefits with us.

 

Want to post your own listings to our events calendar, job postings, or hot deals?

Just LOG IN to your Chamber membership account!


Having trouble logging in? Contact David or call (503) 325-6311.

PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE SPONSORS

July 2024 to June 2025

Custom Level


Astoria Warrenton

Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival

Co-Presenting Sponsors:

Fred Meyer

Pacific Northwest Toyota Dealers Association


Supporting Sponsors:

NW Natural

Wauna Credit Union



Great Columbia Crossing

Presenting Sponsor:

CMH-OHSU Health Cardiology Clinic


Supporting Sponsors:

Gimre's Shoes

North Coast

Runners Supply

Coastal Family

Health Center

Coast

Auto Repair

Georgia Pacific

Natural Grocers

Wauna Credit Union


Chamber Annual Meeting & Banquet Presenting Sponsor:

Pacific Power


Chamber Networking Meeting

Coffee Sponsor:

TLC, A Division of Fibre Federal Credit Union


Chamber Business After Hours

Presenting Sponsor:

Columbia River Maritime Museum


Chamber Nonprofit Bootcamp

Title Sponsor:

Lewis & Clark Bank

Platinum Level

Wadsworth Electric Company


Gold Level

Clatsop Care

Health District

Columbia River Bar Pilots

Providence Seaside Hospital


Silver Level

Anchor Graphics

Astoria Brewing

Company Pub

Bowline Hotel

Clatsop Community College

Clatsop Distributing

Columbia Steel & Welding Supply

P&L Johnson

Port Hopper


Bronze Level

Astoria Riverwalk Inn

City Lumber

Energy Trust of Oregon 

Hyak Tongue Point, LLC

Knutsen Insurance

Lewis & Clark Bank

Ocean Beauty Seafoods

Pig 'N Pancake Restaurant - Astoria

Teevin Bros Land & Timber

Walmart



These sponsors have invested in our community on your behalf.


Questions?


Please contact

David or call

(503) 325-6311.

MORE NEWS FROM THE CHAMBER

Questions for Business Growth

PUBLICATION DEADLINES


To submit your news

or photos for our publications, please

keep these deadlines

in mind.


Monthly

Chamber Works

Due on the 15th

by End of Day

(i.e. May 15 for June issue)


Weekly

Chamber Chatter

Due Wednesdays

by End of Day


All submissions can be emailed to Regina.

QUICK ACCESS


Old 300 Trolley


Local & Regional Transit


Cruise Ships


ODFW Fishing & Hunting Updates


Englund Marine

Fishing Report


Oregon's North Coast Collaborative


City of Astoria


City of Warrenton


Clatsop County



CHAMBER EVENT INFO


Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival


Great Columbia Crossing 10K



4th of July

Chamber Networking Events

Join us at these social events.

Business After Hours (BAH)

It is time for the annual Chamber BAH-B-Q at

Lewis & Clark Golf & RV

92294 Youngs River Rd

Astoria, OR

Thursday, July 10

begins at 5:30pm

with returning guest grillmaster Jack Ficken serving up his Portuguese New York strip steak.

Vegetarian option will be available.


Get together with your fellow business leaders for a casual evening of networking. Membership cash pot drawing is at $400.


Business After Hours member cash pot prize drawing is generously sponsored by

Columbia River Maritime Museum

Chamber Networking Coffee

Tuesday, July 29 @ 7:45 a.m.

at Astoria Brewing Company Pub

144 11th St., Astoria

Networking starts at 7:45 a.m.; program at 8 a.m.

Speaker: Mark Kujala, Columbia Memorial Hospital discussing the BuildCMH project.


Coffee is free, courtesy of Coffee Sponsor: 

Ribbon Cuttings & Milestones


Join us at a future ribbon cutting to celebrate new businesses, milestones, remodels and more.


Would you like to schedule a ribbon cutting with the Chamber at your business? Contact David or call (503) 325-6311.

Clatsop WORKS Intern Joins our Chamber Team for the Summer

 

The Chamber is excited to participate once again in the Clatsop WORKS Internship program this summer. The Clatsop WORKS Program provides local students, ages 16 and up, with professional, paid internships in Clatsop County, with the goals of community building, economic development, promoting local career opportunities, and retaining local talent.

 

Help us welcome Ahlena Green to the team. You may be hearing from her as she work on projects to support our membership or meet her as she attend meetings and networking events with our staff. 

My name is Ahlena Green. I am a summer intern at AWACC in all aspects of business, but mostly working in marketing as part of the Clatsop WORKS program. I recently graduated from Knappa High School and this fall will be attending Oregon State University for a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing with a minor in Contemporary Music Industry Studies. I not only work at the Chamber but also am a waitress at The Logger out in Knappa. In my free time I love to go shopping, hiking, reading, singing, going to sporting events, hang out with friends and lastly enjoying the beautiful Pacific Northwest. 

Keep the Fireworks Popping


Our traditional July 4th fireworks event is in jeopardy this year due to unforeseen costs. Fireworks along the Astoria waterfront are spectacular because we are able to launch them from a barge in the river. That barge and the tug that gets and keeps it there have been donated in the past at great expense to the donor. This year that option is not available to us, which leaves us with a potential for a significant shortfall in our fundraising and no viable land-side alternative for the display at this late date.


So, we’re urgently asking for $2,500 sponsorships from the community so that we can keep this tradition going strong and celebrate America's birthday in Astoria style. Many have already contributed, but we need a few more to reach the total fundraising need for the costs to put on the show. Sponsors will receive significant mention in radio ads across Ohana Media Group's stations in the weeks leading up to the event along with mention and celebration in chamber communications.


Can you help us put this event on this year?

$25 to $2,500 - all contributions are appreciated. To get involved, contact David at (503) 325-6311 or david@oldoregon.com or use the donation form here.


***

Print a poster for the 4th of July activities (8.5x14") or stop by the chamber to pick one up for your bulletin board or window display.

News From, About & For Fellow Members

Office Furniture Available


The AAA Service Center in Warrenton is preparing for a move to downtown Astoria later this summer. They are looking to rehome a variety of office furniture, including items such as desks, armchairs, rolling chairs, cubicle walls, shelving units, and short filing cabinets.


While pickup won’t be until the end of summer, they’re making plans now to find new homes for their existing furniture. If you or your organization could use any of these pieces, reach out soon to claim what you need. Contact Kelsey by email to inquire about the items.



Northwest Oregon Economic Indicators 


Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates increased across Northwest Oregon in four of the five counties and remained above levels seen one year ago. This month we are taking a look at Oregon’s minimum wage jobs. On July 1, the minimum wage across Northwest Oregon will increase to $15.05. This $0.35 increase, and every increase since 2023, has been tied to inflation in order to maintain purchasing power for minimum wage earners. To learn more, check out this article on QualityInfo.org. View the June Economic Indicators report here.


If you have any questions about the information covered or about the labor market in our region, contact Shaun Barrick, Economist Oregon Employment Department at (503) 396-7355 or shaun.barrick@employ.oregon.gov.



CEDR Awards Draws Excitement, Prestige


The 2025 CEDR Awards, Clatsop County’s premier business event, drew a sold-out crowd this year as community leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators gathered to celebrate excellence in local business. Hosted by the Clatsop Economic Development Resources (CEDR), the annual awards ceremony highlights the achievements of businesses and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the region’s economic vitality and community development.

 

Each of the honorees was selected for their innovation, resilience, and commitment to community values - hallmarks of what makes Clatsop County’s business community thrive. Click here to read the report from the event including list of those recognized.


Immigration Actions Resume for Hotels & Restaurants


The Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association shared this message in a recently newsletter:


The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has lifted the exemption for restaurants, hotels, and farms, directing ICE to immediately resume worksite enforcement operations with no industry carveouts. Restaurant and lodging operators should ensure hiring and documentation practices comply with federal law, as ICE faces increased arrest targets and nationwide enforcement is underway. (See National Restaurant Association's flyer and recorded webinar)


When it comes to an immigration worksite raid, preparation is critical. Even if you are meticulous in confirming the work authorization of all of your employees, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could investigate your workplace in connection with a lead or complaint, or based on other factors. This informational flyer outlines Employer Rights and Responsibilities in the event of such activity.



Uppertown Adopt-A-Highway Crew Needed


The Astoria Uppertown Adopt-A-Highway sign [the green one] on Highway 30 is at risk of being removed unless we can consistently show up with a small cleanup crew each quarter. We’re not asking for a huge commitment—just 6–8 awesome folks who care about our neighborhood and want to help keep it looking great for a couple hours. If you'd like to help, send a note to astoria@uppertownbusinessassociation.com.


Data from Worksource Oregon Employment Department


Business News Around the State



Regional Newsletters & Updates


Oregon Business & Industry - 6/23/25


Clatsop SBDC Small Biz News - 6/16/25


Clatsop County Bulletin - 6/13/2025


Astoria Downtown - 6/24/25


Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce - 6/19/25


Seaside Weekly Wave - 6/23/25

Business & Employee Development Opportunities


Looking for ways to continue developing, growing and learning when it comes to your business? Wanting to provide your employees with ongoing training? Check out the opportunities listed below. Video recordings of some past trainings are available from these resources via the links.



SBDC & CCC Classes & Trainings

Many classes are available online and on demand, click the link above to access.


This summer, we are excited to announce a

group of classes themed as the Summer Tech Suite – which are intended to help individuals and local business level up their digital skills! These classes include:

Build Your Own Website

3 weeks, starting on July 3

Introduction to Canva

3 weeks, starting on July 9

Digital Marketing Essentials

6 weeks, starting on July 22


We are offering a 10% discount for our business skills courses offered this summer! Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber Members can use code “AWACC2025” when registering.



Lower Columbia SHRM


No monthly meetings or trainings during the summer months. 


Travel Oregon and Other Tourism-Led Opportunities




Laughter: The Best Medicine

Click the graphic to learn more about the artist/author.

Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce

PO Box 176 / 111 W. Marine Drive

Astoria, OR 97103

(503) 325-6311

www.oldoregon.com


Current operating hours:

Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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