Rainier Chamber of Commerce

03/14/2025

FYI...

03/14/2025

Save the dates!

03/14/2025

Spotted (and drank!) at the Annual Chamber Breakfast yesterday morning! ☕

Come discover Fern Hill Coffee, a local Rainier business, at the upcoming Rainier Spring Bazaar on April 12th from 9am-4pm.

03/12/2025

Latest Columbia County SBDC Director's Report out. Catch up below.

As we step into March, we're embracing longer days, fresh energy, and new opportunities for our local businesses. Spring is a season of growth and renewal. It is the perfect time to refresh your marketing strategy, build new connections, and set your business up for success in 2025. Our team is ready with resources and guidance to help you make the most of this season of opportunity.

If you want to level up your business visibility and attract more customers, don't miss our upcoming Munch N Learn: Marketing 101 classes on Thursday, March 20th, led by Chrissy Jackson Marquardt, our new Director of Operations and Engagement for the Columbia Economic Team. Chrissy has over a decade of digital marketing experience—from running her web design agency and coaching business to leading marketing campaigns as Executive Director for the South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and Marketing and Events Manager for the Columbia Pacific Food Bank. We're excited to have her on board and as one of our subject matter experts in marketing.

These classes are always popular and provide great insights. Marketing can feel overwhelming to small business owners, but you don't have to navigate it alone. We'll help break down marketing fundamentals, giving you simple, actionable strategies to improve your outreach and grow your customer base. Whether you're just starting or want to refine your current approach, this class will help you make an impact.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/2025-munch-n-learn-series-3898863
Locations: 9 AM to 10 AM, Vernonia City Hall; 12 PM to 1 PM South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, St Helens.

As we shake off the winter months and welcome a new season of possibilities, take some time to focus on your business goals and invest in the tools that will help you grow. If you need guidance, support, or want to discuss new ideas, the Columbia Economic Team and Columbia County SBDC are here to help.

Looking forward to seeing you at our March events and beyond! Again, we appreciate everything you do for our community and we're here to help build a stronger, more resilient Columbia County.

Stay Inspired, Stay Connected, and Keep Growing,

Jason Moon
Director, Columbia County SBDC

03/11/2025

Thank you Mee Maw’s Attic for becoming a sponsor of the upcoming Rainier Spring Bazaar (April 12th from 9-4pm; see our event page) and efforts to create a Small Business Corner at the Rainier Library (ETA late Spring). ❤️

03/10/2025

Looking to join the Rainier Chamber of Commerce?

No matter what size business you have, even if you're a solopreneur working from home, we welcome you to get involved with the local business community. Engagement is how real change happens.

We have monthly membership meetings (open to the public) where you can connect with other local and regional business owners and resource centers, and spread the word about your own business or projects you're working on.

We hope to see many of you at the Rainier Chamber Annual Breakfast this coming Thursday morning at 8:30am. Details on our event page.

03/10/2025

Calling local students… great internship opportunity to begin building a resume and gaining valuable skill sets in a guided environment. One more week to apply.

There's one week left to apply for this year's Engineering Internship. This is a full-time, paid position for local high school seniors or college students interested in engineering. Application materials are available at crpud.net/internship.

03/10/2025

03/06/2025

Summertime fun time! ☀️🪘🎷🎸🎺🎤 ...Save the dates.

The sun is shining and we're thinking about summer and Rivertime in Rainier 2025. We are so pleased to bring our next summer schedule so you can plan on attending. Thank you in advance for donations to keep this series alive onsite. New this year is an activity challenge for all ages. We know the kids will love it based on last years interactions. For older people - this will make you young again! Consider it the Fountain of Yourh! Plan now for a summer of music and fun. Please contact us for sponsorship and vendor opportunities via pm. We want to continue something good!

03/06/2025

SCAMMER ALERT: Saw a comment to someone asking about submissions from someone named Mary Helen who was directing people to contact them directly for the vendor form and to take payment.

The form is online and is not sent directly. Any communications or invoicing for payment will come from a board member of the Rainier Chamber of Commerce (BreeAnna Grissom or Nicole Jordan).

If you see comments or posts directing you otherwise, please flag it. Unfortunately, scammers come out in droves with events like this and we have to be on guard and aware. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

- The Rainier Chamber of Commerce

03/06/2025

FYI... mark your calendars for this informative session.

Enjoy FREE business classes and FREE food in this monthly class series! Proudly sponsored by Wauna Credit Union. Classes are open to all Columbia County OR based business owners, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and employees. Locations rotate monthly.

03/03/2025

Happy Monday, a quick update from the Rainier Chamber of Commerce regarding the Rainier Spring Bazaar on April 12th (@ Big Green at 103 W. C St.)

1. First, ❤️THANK YOU❤️ to ⚡️ Columbia River PUD ⚡️for being the first official sponsor of the Rainier Spring Bazaar and contributing to the creation of a Small Business Resource Center at the Rainier Library for all to enjoy. We appreciate your support. We’re looking for additional sponsors. If interested, please reach out.

2. We have a number of outstanding vendors who initially submitted and we’re in process of confirming final vendors. Reminder, this is an opportunity specifically for Rainier-based residents. We appreciate the interest and enthusiasm from outside Rainier.

The Rainier Spring Bazaar is right before Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduation and who knows how many birthdays. It’s a perfect time to find a unique gift while shopping hyper-local.

Confirmed vendors to date:

⭐️Kiss My Glass: Kiln formed glass
⭐️Sewings by L, Totes: aprons, eye glass cases, and quilt items.
⭐️Boursaw Creations: Handcrafted wood items; cutting board, ⭐️wooden games/puzzles, child rocking chair, wooden holiday spring decor
⭐️Serious Moonlight Studios: 3D printed items - figurines and framed art
⭐️Columbia River Bar: Castille Soap
⭐️Thistle Hill Farm: Sourdough breads, and other baked items
⭐️Creative Designs: Illustrations, Paintings, Cards, and Metal
..and more to be announced.

Here is the official vendor submission form (do not try to pay through the form; we will send an invoice via email)

3. You’ll soon see social posts to share as promotion. Please do so as this is shaping up to be an extra fun day in Rainier. The Rainier Historical Museum is hosting its opening from 1-4pm the same day and we will encourage any visitors to the Spring Bazaar to also visit the new museum, and walk around to discovery and visit other open local businesses.

Thank you for your support.

- The Rainier Chamber of Commerce

02/25/2025

Update: The link for formal vendor forms for the Rainier Spring Bazaar (April 12th) will be sent today to people who have submitted so far. We currently have 15 or so vendor sign-ups and space for 4-5 more. More soon...

Reminder, this Bazaar is open to vendors who are Rainier-residents.

02/21/2025

Update from Rainier Chamber of Commerce regarding 2025 Rainier Spring Bazaar on April 12th from 9am-4pm at the Big Green Building - We are confirmed + something fun!

We already have a number of vendor registrants with openings for a few more. You can submit initial inquiry at the link. Cost is $25/table. There will be a longer more formal engagement form sent to vendor registrants in coming days as we finalize some administrative details.

***KEY UPDATES***
The Rainier Chamber has allocated budget to help bring this to life to spotlight some of our local makers, bakers, artisans and other small business owners BUT we need additional support from local businesses interested in sponsoring to help cover operational and promotional costs. Please reach out if interested and we can send a formal sponsor request letter.

A large part of sponsor requests is because half of the profits (minus expenses) will be dedicated to procurring a range of materials and resources to **fund and create a Small Business Resource Center within the Rainier public library**. A similar model is already in effect in St. Helens and Clatskanie libraries and we want to ensure Rainier residents (and beyond) also have access to these important materials and education.

We appreciate the support in bringing this event to life that will encourage local tourism to our town (and further discovery of other local businesses), create sales opportunities for local business owners, and help fund a much needed library resource that will benefit the whole community.

https://docs.google.com/.../1E8w7KGXUbu2B8gg5l3zUX.../edit

More details soon, including an event page. Thanks and have a great weekend!

-The Rainier Chamber of Commerce Board

02/12/2025

Due to potential icy road conditions tomorrow morning, we are postponing the Annual Breakfast until March, date TBC but aiming for March 13th. More soon. Please share and let people know. Thank you. - The Rainier Chamber Board

01/23/2025

Here's a sneak peek at next week's newsletter 👀 We've updated the design and the community news section is stuffed with a ton of exciting updates.

If you have not already, subscribe to our newsletter for chamber and community news here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/2wRsrRN/rainierchamber

03/05/2024

Congratulations All About The Brisket on your official grand opening today! We were honored to celebrate it with you. Watch this video to see the ribbon cutting and meet the owners.

And go check them out at: 75754 Rock Crest St., Rainier (by the Deli Store & Shell Gas Station). They make delicious food!

02/20/2024

March Newsletter 2024

Congratulate Award Winners, Member News & More 2023 Annual Awards Breakfast Recap   Community Contributor Mike Kerger The Rainier Chamber of Commerce proudly celebrates Mike Kerger for his outstanding