Declaration of Emergency

The City of Oakridge has a Sanitary Sewer Overflow, the break has not been located. The break is allowing untreated sewage to enter the city storm water. The affected area is the outfall at Oakridge Sand and Gravel that enters the Willamette River near the end of Fairy Glen.

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Doing Business in Oakridge

If you are thinking about starting a new business or relocating an existing business, Oakridge has much to offer.  Below is information on the process of working with the City of Oakridge to start a business here.

Getting Started

Below is a list of questions to consider before starting a new business:

  • What do you intend to sell? Describe your product or service in as much detail as you can.
  • Who will buy what you intend to sell? Describe your ideal customer in as much detail as you can. Be as specific as possible as to who will be your potential customers.
  • How much will it cost you to deliver your product or service to your potential customers? Don’t underestimate the costs to deliver your product or service.
  • How will you market and advertise your product or service?
  • What will it cost to market and advertise your product or service?
  • Do you have adequate financing to start your business?  Don’t underestimate how much money you need to start and sustain your business.
  • Do you have the necessary licenses to start your new business? Refer to the Oregon Corporation Division link below.
  • Do you have a business plan? To be a successful business you should have one. Refer to the link below, Templates for Writing a Business Plan. 

Starting a New Business

Below is a summary of the requirements to start a new business in Oakridge:

  1. Obtain a business license.  There is an annual fee of $100 to obtain a business license to do business in Oakridge (within the city limits).  The $100 annual fee is waived if the businesses annual sales are less than $5,000.  To obtain a business license, contact Oakridge City Hall, PO Box 1410, 48318 E. First Street, Oakridge, OR  97463; 541-782-2258; or refer to the Supporting Document below, Oakridge Business Application.
  2. Register your business with the State of Oregon. Anyone doing business in Oregon is required to register with the Secretary of State.  Refer to the link, Registering Your Business Name for more information.
  3. Obtain any business licenses required from the State of Oregon.  The State of Oregon requires a business license for certain types of business (e.g. restaurants, taverns, beauty salons, childcare providers, contractors). Refer to the link, OR Business Licenses for more information to determine the licensing requirements for your business.

Resources for Relocating or Starting Your Business in Oakridge:

For help starting or relocating a small business to Oakridge, contact RAIN Business catalyst Jude Anderson at 631-897-3817 or jude [at] raincatalysts.org (jude[at]raincatalysts[dot]org) 

The Oregon Small Business Development Center Network provides free business counseling for new and existing businesses.  Their phone number is 541-463-2250; or refer to the link below, Small Business Development.

For Business Plans for an existing business please refer to the link, Existing Business Plan.

Web Links

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