Chamber tells council Lake Oswego added 270 businesses in 2025; asks city to fund targeted marketing

Matt Evans, representing the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce, presented the Chamber—9s third annual report under the 2022 economic development strategy at the council—9s Dec. 2 meeting.

"In the first 10 months of 2025, 270 new businesses were registered under the city's business licensing program," Evans said, pointing to steady business formation compared with 2024. He said about 73% of local businesses have fewer than five employees, and that the downtown office vacancy rate is about 4.3%.

Evans recommended three broad actions to strengthen the local economy: a robust shop-local marketing effort, targeted outreach to draw visitors within a 50-mile radius, and a consistent mix of digital and traditional advertising. He flagged a time-sensitive opportunity to reserve a Travel Oregon ad through Mount Hood Territory: the ad space must be reserved by Dec. 19, with a $3,500 subsidy available from Mount Hood Territory and an estimated net cost of about $8,500 plus design expenses.

Councilors praised the chamber's outreach and recommended that staff consider the chamber—9s pilot proposals as part of the 2026 goal-setting and budgeting process. Mayor Buck and several council members said that recent changes to the business-license fee were intended to create a funding source for marketing and business-support programs like those the chamber described.

The council did not take a formal funding vote at the meeting; staff agreed to note the request for future budget conversations and to coordinate next steps with the chamber.