Springfield Chamber of Commerce

01/27/2025

✍️The Springfield Chamber recently submitted public comments to Willamalane Park and Recreation District regarding their System Development Charges methodology update. System Development Charges (SDC) are one-time fees collected to fund public infrastructure needed for new development. In Springfield, SDCs support stormwater, wastewater, transportation, parks, and Willamalane’s projects, such as new park development, trail expansions, and community improvements outlined in its updated 20-Year Comprehensive Plan.

READ MORE ON THE BOTTOM LINE: https://springfieldbottomline.com/2025/01/springfield-chamber-submits-public-comment-on-willamalane-system-development-charges

The Springfield Chamber recently submitted public comments to Willamalane Park and Recreation District regarding their System Development Charges methodology update. System Development Charges (SDC) are one-time fees collected to fund public infrastructure needed for new development. In Springfield,...

01/24/2025

Last night, we had the pleasure of honoring our Chamber Champions and Impact Investors at our annual Champions and Investors Social Hour, hosted in the stunning Urban Lumber Company space. 🌟

Chamber President & CEO Vonnie Mikkelsen shared our bold new strategic vision, emphasizing how the commitment of these community-minded members will help drive workforce development, economic vitality, and advocacy for a thriving business landscape in the Springfield area. 💼💡

As a token of our appreciation, we handed out custom mini-shovels – a fun nod to the “groundbreaking” work the founding Impact Investors are doing to pave the way for our region's bright future. 🛠️✨

Thank you to Sheild Catering for providing the yummy food and Urban Lumber Company for once again welcoming us into their beautiful venue.

01/23/2025

See you there!

We’re just ONE WEEK away from the 2025 State of the City Address with Mayor Sean VanGordon!

📅 Date: Thursday, January 30th
🕔 Time: Doors open at 5:00pm; Presentation begins at 5:30pm
📍 Location: Richard E. Wildish Community Theater, 630 Main Street

🎶 Don’t miss the Springfield High School Jazz Band and inspiring updates from your City Councilors. Together, we’ll celebrate our community and look ahead to Springfield’s exciting future.

Let’s move Our Way Forward together!

01/23/2025

🎊 This week, the Springfield Chamber celebrated the official closing of our 75th Anniversary Time Capsule! We marked the occasion with a Martinelli's toast, Bundtinis, placing items into the capsule, and remarks from Chamber President & CEO Vonnie Mikkelsen and Mayor Sean VanGordon - Springfield, OR.

To be opened in 25 years (the Chamber's 100th official year of operation), the Time Capsule will serve as a reminder of where we've been and our collective hopes for the future of Springfield.

Thank you to the dedicated committee members who dreamed up this project and worked hard to collect contributions and mementos from the community for the past year:
Liz Tate - Mereté Hotel Management (committee co-chair)
Jessica Ahrenholtz - NextStep (committee co-chair)
Madeline McGraw - Springfield History Museum
David Van Der Haeghen - NW Natural
Jenna Fribley - Campfire Collaborative: Architecture & Design
Elyse Ditzel - City of Springfield, Oregon Government
Adam Tamarkin - Springfield Chamber of Commerce

Thank you to The Chronicle for being there to document the fun and Nothing Bundt Cakes for the delicious treats! 🧁

01/22/2025

🩵Join us in learning about Chamber member Riverview Center for Growth, a Springfield-based nonprofit organization that provides emotional, behavioral and mental health therapy for children, teens, adults and families throughout Lane County. We chatted with Meghan L. Melton, Executive Director.

"We’re incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received from our community, whether through donations, partnerships, or simply spreading the word about what we do. As we look to the future, we hope to expand our services and deepen our impact. If you or someone you know is in need of mental health support, or if you’re interested in partnering with us, please reach out."

READ MORE ON THE BOTTOM LINE: https://springfieldbottomline.com/2025/01/member-profile-riverview-center-for-growth

Join us in learning about Chamber member Riverview Center for Growth, a Springfield-based nonprofit organization that provides emotional, behavioral and mental health therapy for children, teens, adults and families throughout Lane County. We chatted with Meghan L. Melton, Executive Director. Tell u...

01/21/2025

While natural disasters, mass casualty events, and other unplanned “bad days” are an accepted reality, preparing for them isn’t always top of mind for business owners. ❄️🔥🌊

Coinciding with the one-year anniversary of the damaging ice storm that blasted over much of Lane County in 2024, business owners and members gathered at the Chamber Depot January 17 for the Chamber’s first Small Business Solutions Hub of 2025 – to hear from experts about how to best prepare for the next catastrophic event.

Speakers included representatives from the Oregon Department of Emergency Management – Kayla Thompson, Community Preparedness Coordinator, and Sonya McCormick, Public Private Partnership (P3) Program Manager.

👀 READ MORE ON THE BOTTOM LINE: https://springfieldbottomline.com/2025/01/experts-delve-into-disaster-preparedness-in-januarys-small-business-solutions-hub

01/18/2025

Did you know? The third Saturday in January is officially ! 🎉 It’s the perfect excuse to shop local and support our unique Springfield businesses with a Springfield Chamber e-gift card (formerly the Willamette Valley e-gift card).

✨ Use your card at participating retailers, restaurants, and services throughout the Springfield area! Find the full list here: https://app.yiftee.com/gift-card/springfield--or-springfield/.

💳 Need a thoughtful gift idea? Purchase a card for friends, family, coworkers—or treat yourself—and SHOP, STAY, PLAY while supporting our one-of-a-kind local businesses.



Addi's Diner All American Pet Budget Blinds of Eugene & Springfield Busy Bee Cafe Cascades Raptor Center Celeste Watch Company Common Bond Creative Awnings & Shelters Escape The Room Oregon
Hometown Pets - Springfield Iris Vineyards LifeSlice Photography Main Street Market Marshall's Heating and Cooling New Leaf Hyperbarics & Wellness Eugene Nothing Bundt Cakes PARR Lumber Perfect Climate Pegasus Playhouse Plank Town Brewing Company PublicHousehub Sherwin-Williams The Pump Cafe

01/18/2025

🧯Disaster Preparedness was the name of the game for our first Small Business Solutions Hub program of the year!

Thanks to speakers Sonya McCormick, Public Private Partnership (P3) Program Manager, and Kayla Thompson, Community Preparedness Coordinator at the Oregon Department of Emergency Management for providing such great resources and answering questions about keeping our businesses and communities prepared for anything. ☔️

Thank you to our title sponsor Kaiser Permanente, SBSH partners Ask Erik Computer Services in Eugene, Chambers Construction, EARS, Hershner Hunter LLP, OCCU - Oregon Community Credit Union, and WaFd Bank, and lunch sponsors 911 Restoration of Willamette Valley and Dry Pro!

01/17/2025

🏡 Learn more about Chamber Member HomeSmiles Eugene in our latest Member Profile! Get to know them through a conversation we had with owner Ray Leipold on The Bottom Line.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to lead HomeSmiles Eugene and work with a dedicated team to serve our community. I believe in the power of collaboration and continuous improvement, and I am always looking for ways to enhance our services and expand our impact."

READ MORE ON THE BOTTOM LINE: https://springfieldbottomline.com/2025/01/member-profile-homesmiles-eugene

Searching for some extra help around your home or property? You may be interested in HomeSmiles Eugene! Get to know them through a conversation we had with HomeSmiles Eugene owner Ray Leipold. Tell us a little about HomeSmiles.HomeSmiles is dedicated to providing comprehensive annual property mainte...

01/15/2025

📚✨ The Leadership Eugene Springfield (LES) class gathered for Education Day on January 8, diving deep into the education systems shaping our community and its workforce.

Highlights included:

➡️ A workshop on Telling Your Story led by Kelsay Rychener, followed by a State Education Panel with leaders Gwyn Bachtle (Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care) and Dan Farley (Oregon Department of Education)

➡️ Discussions on Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health led by Jaime Hock and Sydney Stringer (Mental Health Specialists, Eugene School District 4J)

➡️ Insights from higher education leaders like Dr. Stephanie Bulger (Lane Community College), Reed Mueller (Bushnell University), and Jamie Moffitt (University of Oregon)

➡️ A thought-provoking Superintendent Panel featuring Todd Hamilton (Springfield Public Schools - OR), Kraig Sproles (Bethel School District), and C**t Gill (Eugene School District 4J)

➡️ Tour of LCC’s Industry and Trades Education Center with Grant Matthews, and an engaging session on the value of Career and Technical Education (CTE) with speakers Mark Harrington (Chambers Construction), John Stapleton (PIVOT Architecture), Stacey Tuers (Springfield Public Schools - OR), and Shareen Vogel (Lane Education Service District)

We explored how partnerships between schools, businesses, and community stakeholders create a stronger, more skilled local workforce. 🌟

📷 Check out the photos from this impactful day ⬇️

Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce

01/14/2025

Get to know Chamber Member Queen Bee Tattoo and Salon! To learn about their business and the people who make it special, we spoke with owner and artist Erin Smith, who opened the studio in 2015.

READ MORE ON THE BOTTOM LINE: https://springfieldbottomline.com/2025/01/member-profile-queen-bee-tattoo-and-salon

Get to know Chamber Member Queen Bee Tattoo and Salon! To learn about their business and the people who make it special, we spoke with owner and artist Erin Smith, who opened the studio in 2015. Where and how did you get started in this type of business?Our family has always had a passion for art an...

01/10/2025

Scorpion Creek Ranch(SCR), a trailblazing initiative addressing teen homelessness, is excited to announce its Community Gathering on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at the Richard E. Wildish Community Theater from 5:30 to 7:30pm.

READ MORE ON THE BOTTOM LINE: https://springfieldbottomline.com/2025/01/scorpion-creek-ranch-to-host-community-gathering-at-the-wildish-theater

01/06/2025

Last January, Springfield faced one of its most challenging weather events in recent history. The devastating Ice Storm damaged infrastructure, cut off resources, and closed businesses. One year later, the City of Springfield, Oregon Government recounts the destruction and damage, but also the resilience and collaboration that embody Springfield:

https://springfieldbottomline.com/2025/01/city-of-springfield-reflects-on-2024-ice-storm-a-year-of-recovery-resilience-and-lessons-learned

We are reminded today of why preparation is essential for businesses like yours. You can take steps to weather any storm – literal or figurative. Join us for the Small Business Solutions Hub Friday, January 17, to explore practical strategies to safeguard and strengthen your business:

https://business.springfield-chamber.org/events/details/small-business-solutions-hub-13410

Let’s keep building a resilient business community together! 💪

January marks the one-year anniversary of the 2024 Ice Storm, one of the most significant weather events in Springfield’s recent history. The storm brought widespread challenges, from severe damage to infrastructure and homes to power outages and road closures, but also demonstrated the resilience...

12/20/2024

🥳⛄️ This week's SPRINGFIELD GREETERS Cozy Cabin Holiday party was a rockin' good time!

Featuring holiday tunes from the The Side Hustle, breakfast from Sheild Catering, annual Greeters awards, table games, and a raffle🎅🎁

Thank you Greeters for all you do for our business community!

12/17/2024

The 2024-25 Springfield Magazine + Directory is now live online!

Flip through to discover the stories and diverse business offerings that make Springfield a unique and thriving community.

VISIT THE ONLINE MAGAZINE + DIRECTORY: https://publuu.com/flip-book/751278/1666090

12/13/2024

📣The newest online issue of The Bottom Line is now available!

This month we are presenting our latest issue – ‘ALLIANCE’ – with a roundup of great articles, programs, events, and updates.

READ MORE ON THE BOTTOM LINE: https://springfieldbottomline.com/2024/12/latest-issue-alliance

The Bottom Line: Alliance features recent stories from the Chamber and around our community. Read about recent programs, new partnerships, hyper-local happenings, and all the valuable, community-focused content you’ve come to expect in The Bottom Line. Inside the Issue Featured Content Business Ne...

12/13/2024

EVENT RECAP: On November 12, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed 140 attendees to the Holiday Inn Express Eugene - Springfield for an unforgettable day of professional growth and leadership development. The Sixth Annual Leadership Summit, themed "Beyond Limits: Embody Innovation", inspired attendees to push beyond boundaries and embrace innovation in their leadership journeys. The success of the 2024 Leadership Summit would not have been possible without the generous support of many program sponsors, including presenting sponsor Kaiser Permanente.

READ MORE IN THE BOTTOM LINE:

On November 12, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed 140 attendees to the Holiday Inn Express for an unforgettable day of professional growth and leadership development. The Sixth Annual Leadership Summit, themed Beyond Limits: Embody Innovation, inspired attendees to push beyond bounda...