By Linda Whitmore
There’s a book of June Drake photographs published in the 1920s from which one can get an insight into how Silverton’s economy functioned in the past. There are pictures of several lumber mills, a flour mill, a bottling plant and thriving stores that sold everything residents of the town and the surrounding farms might need – food, clothing, work-related tools, household furnishings and animal feed.
Silverton’s businesses were owned, operated and utilized by its residents.
Through the years the balance changed. Mills shut down. Many shop owners couldn’t afford to sell their wares at the lower prices that lured away their customers to bid-city discount stores so they closed their doors. The closures meant a loss of jobs in manufacturing and sales.
The employment/employee balance was further tilted by cheap gas that made it possible for people to live in Silverton and commute to Salem or Portland for higher paying positions.
“Silverton for a long time has been described as a bedroom community,” said Stacy Palmer, executive director of Silverton Chamber of Commerce.
In today’s economy, the picture is changing again. High gas prices are causing some folks to consider working closer to home. Are there good-paying jobs around?
Manufacturing jobs are few. Several years ago Square Deal Lumber Co. closed and that property sits mostly empty. Earlier this year the Champion Homes plant closed. And there are smaller commercial facilities that lie vacant as well.
But Palmer sees a bright future. New opportunities for employment are coming, she said.
Silverton Hospital is growing. “They employ quite a few,” she said, “They are probably the largest employer, with the school district second. There are some opportunities there, especially for professionals.”
At press time, sale of the former Champion Homes site was in process, with the new firm bringing jobs to make up for those lost.
But perhaps the greatest potential is to come by the end of summer.
“There will be a huge spike in employment with the opening of The Oregon Garden Resort,” she said, citing staffing needs in food service, sales, outdoor facility maintenance and lodging positions in housekeeping and the reservation desk.
“I don’t know the number yet, but it will have a huge impact on this small community,” Palmer said.
Not only will there be the service jobs created at the resort hotel, “there will be a domino effect,” she said.
People coming to attend conferences at the hotel will come into the historic downtown to shop, dine, participate in community events and play golf, adding to local commerce.
These visitors are coming soon.
“Several conferences are scheduled already,” she said.
Silver Spur RV Park also affects the economy with the travelers who stay at that facility. “They have been very actively soliciting groups,” Palmer said.
With more visitors frequenting shops and restaurants, “that translates into more employees needed.”
Granted, service-industry jobs tend to be lower paying, but “family-wage earning” jobs in manufacturing are affected by Silverton’s setting.
“We’re not close to freeways or a port – but we are close to agriculture,” Palmer said. “It’s a matter of finding what would fit in our neck of the woods.”
Surrounded by growers, Silverton “lends itself to agricultural producers, food processors and nursery stock providers,” she said.
Palmer keeps informed about available shops and manufacturing sites so she can pass along the information to interested parties inquiring about locating in Silverton. “We’re not casting out a net but we’re working with the leads that we get.”
But Palmer’s work involves more than soliciting new employers to the region, she said. She works with existing businesses that are planning to expand. Sometimes they only need one or two more workers, “but that is a positive impact,” she said.
While there are no training initiatives or special programs to generate job growth, “there are grants based on job creation. Oregon lottery dollars aim to reinvigorate the employment base.”
A new service for Chamber members is a job posting list on the Chamber’s Web site.
Palmer acknowledges work is more difficult to find in the current economic scene.
“We’re not seeing the ‘help wanted’ signs at places that usually pick up in the summer. That’s an indicator that times are tougher.” But steps are being taken to open up employment.
Palmer’s responsibilities at the Chamber of Commerce include giving support to existing businesses as well as finding new employers to add to the mix. “We are looking for companies that are financially solid and demonstrate good business practices.
“I believe there are parties interested in bringing jobs – people that are committed to Silverton.”
