Economy & Business

An increasingly diverse economy, an affordable cost of living, creative small-business programs, respectable personal income, lower property tax and no sales tax help make southern Oregon an ideal locale for business.

The Rogue Valley’s economy, once heavily dependent on natural resource-based industries such as agriculture and wood products, has been undergoing a substantial change in the last two decades.  Today, tourism, retirement and other service-related sectors are increasing in importance.  As the economy has become more diversified, the basic industries now include manufacturing, agriculture, health care and tourism.  Retail trade, construction, transportation, government and services also provide an increasing number of jobs.  The retail sector, in particular, has grown considerably and today the valley serves as a retail center for an area that extends well beyond its boundaries.