INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Tourism Industry 1

2017 EOVA Guide 2

Tram Party 3

CJD Agenda, Announcements 4

Press Releases 5

4th of July Supporters 6

Labor Market Information 7

SBDC Services 8

Inserts:

EOVA Story Kit Form

Bowlby Bash

TamKaLiks

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Joe Wanner, President

Nancy Rudger, Vice President

Susan Gilstrap, Treasurer

Cynthia Warnock, Past President

Kathy Casper, Director

Michael Vali, Director

Ruby Lathrop, Director

Jenni Word, Director

Bridget Brown, Director

Jessie Cunningham, Director

Liz Neveau, Director

Pat Wortman, Director

Marc Stauffer, Director

John Williams, Director

Heather Tyreman, Director

Doris Woempner, Ambassador

CHAMBER STAFF

Vicki Searles, Executive Director

Diane Knox, Admin. Assistant

WALLOWA COUNTY

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

309 South River Street, Ste B

PO Box 427

Enterprise, OR 97828

Phone: (541) 426-4622

July 2016

PORTLAND, Oregon – May 24, 2016 – The Oregon Tourism Commission, dba Travel Ore-gon, confirms that 2015 was the travel industry’s sixth consecutive year of accelerated growth and economic impact, reaching new heights in revenues for the state. Independent findings by Dean Runyan Associates indicate that travel-related spending increased by nearly $500 mil-lion last year to achieve a record $10.8 billion in revenues.

“The travel and tourism industry continues to drive economic development in the state of Ore-gon and is helping to build strong and sustainable local economies,” said Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon. “Travel-related spending, employment and earnings are increasing across the state, spurring job growth in our cities as well as our suburban and rural communities.”

The report, which provides detailed statewide, regional and county travel impact estimates:

Visitors to Oregon generated $10.8 billion in revenue for the state in 2015. This is a 6.6% percent increase in spending in real dollars over 2014 and marked the sixth con-secutive year of growth.

Last year 27.7 million overnight visitors traveled to Oregon destinations, increasing hotel room demand across all of Oregon’s tourism regions by 4.8 percent.

Domestic visitor air arrivals to Oregon grew 8.9 percent for the year. Travel-generated employment increased 4.1 percent over the prior year, resulting in

105,500 travel industry jobs across the state. Re-spending of travel-generated revenues by businesses and employees generates

additional impacts. In 2015, these secondary impacts were equivalent to 54,800 jobs with earnings of $2.4 billion.

The gross domestic product of the travel industry was $4.3 billion in 2015. Overall, the travel industry is one of the three largest export-oriented industries in rural Oregon counties.

Findings reported by Dean Runyan Associates demonstrate the economic significance of the travel industry in Oregon. To read the report in its entirety, including specific regional and county breakouts, go to Industry.TravelOregon.com/EconomicImpact.

About Travel Oregon The Oregon Tourism Commission, dba Travel Oregon, works to enhance visitors’ experiences by providing information, resources and trip planning tools that inspire travel and consistently convey the exceptional quality of Oregon. The commission aims to improve Oregonians’ quality of life by strengthening economic impacts of the state’s $10.8 billion tourism industry that employs more than 105,000 Oregonians. Visit TravelOregon.com to learn more.

TOURISM SPENDING IN OREGON SURGES FOR SIXTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR Travel and tourism industry grows to $10.8 billion, fuels economic activity

statewide with travel-related spending and employment

New! Why do Visitors

Come to Wallowa County

Wallowa Lake 133

Wallowa Lake Tramway 156

Joseph, Arts & Galleries 134

Hells Canyon & Over Looks 91

Hells Canyon Scenic Byway 95

Wallowa Mountains 52

Wallowa Valley & View Points 31

WC Events 46

Fishing, Hunting, Outdoor Rec. 61

Visit Family & Friends 1

Family reunions, wedding, etc. 4

Other: Oregon’s 7 Wonders 11

Chamber Visitor Report for June

Information Contacts June 2016 May 2016 Year to date June 2015

Walk-ins: Visitors/Business 288 284 730 296

Information Packets Mailed Out

35 37 179 62

Phone Calls, Web & Emails 486 502 1551 443

Total Contacts 809 823 2388 801

Website Visits (not hits)

16,026* unavailable 37,344 9987

Membership Referrals 1971 1721 6175 2020

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Oregon Media Selected to Publish the

2017 Eastern Oregon Visitor Guide

EOVA Members and Key Contacts

I am happy to announce that we have selected Oregon Media to publish the 2017 Eastern Oregon Visitors Guide. Many of you have worked with Heather and Ross Johnson previously via 1859 Magazine. They have sold that portion of their business, and are now focusing on the publishing side with a special niche in pro-ducing exceptional visitor guides, such as the Central Oregon Visi-tors Association and Yamhill County guides. You will be hearing from the Oregon Media team shortly regarding ad sales. I will be meeting with the editorial team from Oregon Media on July 6th in Baker City. We will be running through the layout and storyline up, so that the editorial content can be collected and writers can go to work immediately. So I know you know what is coming next… Please send me your new, unique, quirky, story ideas! Think of it as those very special places, events, people, craftsman, artists, makers, “only in Eastern Oregon” stories, that you would share with your best friends when inviting them to visit the region. I don’t need the entire story…just a line or two about what makes it so special and why a visitor might really care to know about, participate, or eat it. Also inclusive in this request is for the DMOs to submit your top four events. Sorry I know this is tough, but let’s see if we pick some real favorites that again set us apart. A form is inserted with this newsletter to assist in story ideas col-lection. Please ASAP ideas back to your DMO or directly to EOVA. Thanks. Alice Trindle

Alice Trindle 15477 Sky Ranch Lane Haines, Oregon 97833 Phone: 541-856-3272 Cell Ph: 541-519-7234 Email: eova@eoni.com

Ideas for the 2017 EOVA Guide?

Look for the form for story ideas you would

like to submit for the 2017 EOVA Guide.

Please coordinate with the WC Chamber on

your ideas.

Page 3

It was the Tram Party —

AND it was a GREAT TIME! Mike Lockhart and Bill Whittemore provided a tram ride and dinner for everyone. Later, they decided to provide music for the gathering and arranged for Janis Carper and Carolyn Lochert duo “Jezebel’s Mother”. The music was perfect for this event and the food great. We appreciate those who came to support Wallowa County.

THERE WERE 133 TICKETS SOLD OR GIVEN AS SPONSORSHIPS!

A special thank you to Mike Lockhart and Bill Whittemore of the Wallowa Lake Tramway as our host of the Chamber er Business Hour Social “The Tram Party”.

We would like to also thank Ed Millar of Terminal Gravity as a sponsor of the event. Ed provided the beer! The perfect touch to the evening.

2016 Radio Program Marketing Wallowa County Events

A $13,500 radio campaign cooperative launched in June for Boise ID and Tri Cities WA. This campaign is sponsored by the Chamber and Wallowa Lake Tramway. The campaign represents partners working together to maximize the successful market-ing program - Oregon’s 7 Wonders. The Wallowas are recognized in Oregon along with Crater Lake, Mt. Hood, Oregon Coast, Columbia Gorge, Painted Hills and Smith Rock—Bend area..

Lodging Tax Set to Increase on July 1

On March 3, 2016 Oregon lawmakers passed HB 4146. HB 4146 raises the state lodging tax rate from 1 percent to 1.8 percent of the total price charged for lodging. The increased rate applies to payments received on or after July 1, 2016. The bill also states that the rate will drop to 1.5 percent on July 1, 2020. The Oregon Department of Revenue sent letters to lodging tax collectors in April with additional information about the rate change.

Page 4

Page 5

New Minimum Wage Takes Effect Friday, July 1

Oregon's new minimum wage law takes effect on Friday, July 1, 2016, and employers have a few things to do in order to be prepared. Each employer's to-do list depends on the type of workers they have: If your business employs workers who report to a fixed location and work there every day, be prepared to pay the new minimum wage for all hours worked beginning July 1, 2016. NOTE: This wage also applies if you have workers who make deliveries as part of their job, starting and ending their day at the same fixed location. The wage you pay depends on the wage region where your business is located, so be sure you know which one you are in:

1. Portland Urban Growth Boundary wages will rise to $9.75 per hour (enter your address here if you are not sure);

2. Nonurban region minimum wages will rise to $9.50 per hour. This region includes all businesses in Baker, Coos, Crook, Curry, Douglas, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, and Wheeler counties;

3. Urban/suburban region wages will rise to $9.75 per hour. This region includes all businesses in Benton, Clatsop, Columbia, Deschutes, Hood River, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Tillamook, Wasco, and Yamhill.

If your business employs workers who spend more than 50% of their work hours in a region that is different than the com-pany's primary fixed location, follow the rules above, but base employees' pay on the region where the employee spends more than 50% of their time. If your business has employees who work in multiple regions in a single pay period, you must pay either:

The minimum wage for each hour in each region where the work is performed. In this case, the employer must keep track of where the work was performed, provide this information on the employee's pay stub, and maintain it in pay-roll records; or

The highest wage rate required in any region where the employee worked during the pay period. If your business chooses this option, you do not need to track the location where the employee performed the work.

If your business employs piece rate or agricultural workers who historically have not been subject to state minimum wage laws, nothing changes. However, employers should carefully review these workers' exempt status, as the new, higher wages mean higher penalties if that exemption is successfully challenged by a worker. And for all employers:

Make sure your minimum wage posters are up to date. BOLI has new versions available. Visit https://www.oregon.gov/boli/WHD/pages/minimum_wage_posters.aspx online - click here to view.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Kent Berkey, kberkey@fs.fed.us, 541-426-5669

Temporary Road Closure along Hat Point/4240 Road The Forest Service will be closing the Hat Point/4240 Road during log-ging operations associated with the Five Mile Fire Salvage project until the end of July. During the month of July the Hat Point/4240 Road, approximately five miles east of Imnaha, will be closed to the public during weekdays beginning on Mondays until Thursdays at 6 PM. The road will be reopened to the public during this period from Thursdays at 6 PM through Sunday evenings. The road closure is for public safety while fire-killed trees are removed adjacent to the Hat Point/4240 Road. During the closure, fire killed trees will be harvested that pose a risk to travelers on the road. To con-duct the operation without compromising public safety it is necessary for the road to be closed to the public during these times. For information and updates contact the Wallowa Mountains Office Front Desk at 541-4265546. Project information can be found at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=45982.

Page 6

A Special Thank You

Supporters of the 2016 Shake the Lake Fireworks

$1500 GRAND FINALE SPONSOR: TRIPLE CREEK RANCH

$1000-$1500 CONTRIBUTORS:

Triple Creek Ranch, Joseph Chamber of Commerce, Wallowa County Courthouse

$500-$999 CONTRIBUTOR: Wallowa Lake Tramway, Wallowa Lake Marina, Mt. Joseph Family Foods,

Steve Krieger Party

$100-$499 CONTRIBUTORS: Trout Haven, Wallowa River RV Park, Alder Slope Nursery, Edward Jones, 1910 Historic Enterprise House B&B, Wallowa Lake Resort/Flying Arrow Resort, Esprit, Lowell & Jan Euhus, Carolyn Parker

Gilbert, Thompson Auto Supply, Pat & Judy Wortman, Eagle Cap Chalets, Eagle’s View Inn & Suites, Bank of Eastern Oregon, Community Bank, Copper Creek Mercantile, Nancy Waters, Bronze

Antler B&B, Barton & Karen Nelson, Wallowa Lake Vacation Rentals, WC Chieftain, Matterhorn Village, Glenn & Suzi Brown, Bollman Funeral Home, Larry & Shirley Snook, The Sports Corral, Barney & Cindi

Locke, Barton & Karen Nelson, Mountain View Motel & RV Park

UNDER $100 CONTRIBUTORS Charles & Charleen Haines, Pat & Brian Adelhardt, Diane Knox, Vicki Searles, Good Time Properties, Robert Williams, Dick Burch, Mel Witters Laboratory, Patricia Ryan, Hancock Forest Management, Wil-derness Inn, The Ponderosa, Mad Mary’s, Bill & Nancy Rudger, William & Neva Reid, Wayne & Marilyn

Bloom, Marcy’s Skin Care, 5 Peaks RV Park, Les Bridges Agency, Dolo Cutter, Mike & Bethel Reid, Mike Reid Party, Patricia Brown, Phinney Gallery of Fine Art, Ann Hayes,

Judith & Lawrence Brown, Robin Lewis

FUNDS RAISED FOR THE FIREWORKS: $10,057 2016 GOAL WAS $12,000

WITHOUT THE VOLUNTEER GROUND WORK THERE WOULD BE NO FIREWORKS:

MOVING THE DOCKS FOR THE FIREWORKS WC Sheriff Department: Sheriff Steve Rogers

Chief Deputy Fred Steen (Marine Program Coordinator) Marine Deputy Lem McBurney and all other who helped

PROVIDING BOAT FOR FIREWORK’S CREW: Lem McBurney

DOCK PREPARATION FOR THE FIREWORKS Troy Berglund, Brandon Berglund, Gary& Susanna Parraga, Mike Musia, Ron Hayes, Kerry & Vicki Searles

WINNER OF THE GRAND PRIZE: HELLS CANYON ADVENTURE JET BOAT RIDE FOR 2

LARRY & SHIRLEY SNOOK

Page 7

Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce PO Box 427 Enterprise, OR 97828

Area Directors

Enterprise

Jenni Word, Enterprise City Council

Joseph/Wallowa Lake

Michael Vali,

Valis Restaurant

Wallowa/Lostine

Kathy Casper, Wheatland Insurance

Health Care

Bridget Brown WV Wellness Center

Education

John Williams,

WC Extension Office

Farm/Ranchg

Jessie Cunningham

Rural/Outlying

Liz Neveau, Double Arrow Veterinary

Natural Resources

Pat Wortman, Wortman Ranch

Public Relations

Ruby Lathrop, Umpqua Bank

Small Business

Marc Stauffer,

SBDC Business Advisor

Tourism

Heather Tyreman Bronze Antler B&B