Chamber Press Releases
Klamath County Chamber of Commerce Represents Local Business at the State Capitol
Klamath County Chamber of Commerce Represents Local Business at the State Capitol
The 2017 Legislative Agenda presented by the Chamber promotes and defends economic vitality and prosperity.
Salem, February 9, 2017: A delegation of representatives from the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce and local businesses toured the State Capitol this past Tuesday, February 7th and Wednesday, February 8th in an effort to bring the issues of rural communities to the forefront of legislative concern.
Meeting with such dignitaries as Secretary of State Dennis Richardson (pictured with Klamath County Commissioner Derrick DeGroot) and Senator Alan DeBoer, as well as Karmen Fore (Transportation Advisor for Governor Kate Brown) and many other Representatives and Senators, the Klamath County group remained focused on efforts to promote and defend economic vitality through advocacy and leadership, delivering the message that rural communities are an asset to the overall betterment of the State of Oregon.
Spearheaded by the Chamber’s Executive Director, Heather Tramp, the committee was comprised of County Commissioners, Government Affairs Members, Business Representatives, and members of the Klamath County Economic Development Association.
The group represented Klamath County on the following issues:
- Commitment to infrastructure improvements to Highway 97, creating a secure route of transportation corridor for products and disaster recovery
- Commitment to infrastructure improvements at Kingsley Field, home of the 173rd Oregon National Guard and only Department of Defense national training facility for the F-15 fighter jet
- Commitment to infrastructure improvements at Crater Lake Klamath Regional Airport
- State business recruitment incentives focused on rural communities targeting large industrial companies
- Improvements in the timeliness of DEQ waste water renewal permits to enable economic growth of rural Oregon
“Klamath is really moving in a positive direction and this trip was an opportunity to deliver that message to legislators while also providing ideas for how they could help our region grow and prosper,” Tramp noted, “Our message to elected officials focused on Klamath’s connection and vitality to the rest of the state.
Improvements to highway 97 would benefit not only our community but all Oregonians.” While transportation was a focus point, the Chamber’s delegation also championed a message that urged officials to continue commitment to Kingsley Field, support air service, and look for opportunities to help economic development efforts.
The Klamath County Chamber of Commerce, incorporated in 1905, is the oldest active business advocacy organization in Klamath County. The Chamber represents nearly 500 businesses located in or near Klamath County. The Government Affairs Committee partnered with Associated Oregon Industries (AOI), Oregon State Chamber Of Commerce (OSCC), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Oregonians for Food and Shelter, and the Medford/Jackson Co Chamber of Commerce on a variety of advocacy outreach efforts in 2015 and continues to advocate on behalf of business in and around Klamath County.