Key to the City, Regional Representation & What’s Next

News on Main Street

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This month we’re celebrating recognition, strengthening regional partnerships, and continuing strategic work to support Gold Beach’s growth. Continue reading this month’s edition to learn more…

Key to the City & State of the City Highlights

At the recent State of the City Address, Gold Beach Main Street was honored with the Key to the City by Mayor Tamie Kaufman in recognition of our “outstanding accomplishments and dedication to our community and city.”

We are deeply grateful for this acknowledgment. Our work is fueled by volunteers, partners, business owners, and residents who care deeply about the vitality of Gold Beach. This recognition belongs to all of you.

Two additional community leaders were also recognized:

Citizen of the Year: Trey Littlejohns
Business of the Year: Karen Kennedy & RE/MAX Ultimate Coastal Properties

Congratulations to each of these award recipients for their meaningful contributions to our town.

City Council Discussion & Community Feedback

Following the State of the City, City Council held a meeting to review and discuss feedback gathered through recent Town Hall meetings and the transportation analysis presented by Kittelson & Associates and ODOT.

The results of the community survey were clear and decisive — there was overwhelming public support for a three-lane configuration through the 101 corridor.

The discussion centered around reviewing the data, evaluating next steps, and continuing collaboration with ODOT as the refinement process moves forward.

As always, Gold Beach Main Street remains committed to:

Encouraging constructive civic dialogue
Elevating community voice
Supporting thoughtful, data-driven solutions that enhance safety, accessibility, and economic vitality along our 101 corridor

We appreciate everyone who participated in the survey and attended the Town Hall meetings. Your input is helping to shape the future of our downtown.

What’s Ahead

Women in Business at Gold Beach Main Street!

RSVP with CCD Here!

Gold Beach Main Street is proud to serve as the venue host for the Curry Women in Business (CCD) monthly networking event:

Chocolate & Peanut Butter Networking, February 25, 5:00–7:30 PM, Gold Beach Main Street, 29975 Harbor Way, Suite D, Gold Beach, OR.

Curry Women in Business (CCD) brings together entrepreneurs and professionals from across Coos, Curry, and Douglas Counties for connection, learning, and collaboration. We are excited to welcome this regional gathering to Gold Beach for the second year.

Meeting Features

Small Business Spotlight
South Coast Development Council (SCDC) will share information about upcoming programs and opportunities designed to support local entrepreneurs.
Chocolate & Peanut Butter Networking
An interactive networking experience where attendees share who they are, what they do, what they need, and how they can support one another — because great businesses, like chocolate and peanut butter, are even stronger together.
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready
Learn about free online learning tools available to small business owners and hear how these resources are helping entrepreneurs grow.
Raffle & Community Sharing
Attendees are invited (optional but encouraged!) to bring a product, gift card, artwork, or small item to contribute to the raffle — a fun way to showcase local creativity and shop small.

Representing Gold Beach at the TSOC Network Conference

Visit TSOC

Gold Beach Main Street will be attending the Travel Southern Oregon Coast (TSOC) Network Conference this month, February 23-24 at Ko-Kwel Casino Resort — a regional gathering focused on collaboration, tourism strategy, economic vitality, and community development along the South Coast.

As part of the conference, GBMS has applied for a competitive grant award of $1,000–$5,000. We are one of eight organizations selected to present and compete for this funding opportunity.

If awarded, the funds will support Courage Lane, a future development along Ellensburg Avenue that includes a dedicated park space honoring veterans. The project includes the installation of a sea otter sculpture, made possible through previous grant funding, which will serve as a public art anchor for the park.

This initiative reflects our commitment to:

Strengthening Main Street through placemaking
Promoting local culture and the arts
Enhancing public spaces that honor community and heritage
Supporting projects that attract visitors while serving residents

Participating in regional partnerships like TSOC ensures Gold Beach remains visible, competitive, and connected in conversations about tourism, funding, and coastal economic development.

We’re proud to represent our community and look forward to sharing updates.

Main Street Faces

Protecting Gold Beach’s Identity

Sometimes community impact happens in small but meaningful ways.

Thanks to Tucker Nunn of Along Ellensburg and the Gold Beach Chamber of Art, Culture, and Commerce, it was brought to our attention that several local parks were inaccurately listed under the wrong city in public-facing materials. While it may seem minor, these details matter — especially as we continue building tourism visibility and strengthening Gold Beach’s regional presence.

Through a chance encounter with Joe Kenick, Park Manager with Oregon State Parks, we were able to address the issue directly. As a result, Geisel Monument and Otter Point are now accurately labeled as Gold Beach, Oregon destinations.

We are continuing to work toward proper designation of additional locations to ensure accurate representation across platforms.

Correct labeling supports:

Stronger tourism visibility
Accurate mapping and wayfinding
Increased local economic impact
Community pride in place

We encourage community members to stay attentive and advocate for accurate representation of Gold Beach whenever you see inconsistencies. Small corrections make a big difference when it comes to visibility and economic vitality.

Thank you to those who continue to champion our town and help ensure Gold Beach is represented clearly and correctly.

View the OSP Map

Funders & Friends

Gold Beach Main Street is proud to be an affiliate of Oregon Main Street and Main Street America, part of a nationwide network dedicated to strengthening historic downtowns and rural communities through thoughtful, community-driven development.

The Main Street Approach is more than a framework — it is a philosophy rooted in preservation, entrepreneurship, placemaking, and local pride. Across the country, Main Street communities are revitalizing corridors, supporting small businesses, investing in public art, improving walkability, and fostering economic resilience while honoring the character that makes each town unique.

Through our participation in this network, Gold Beach remains connected to statewide and national initiatives focused on sustainable growth, small business development, cultural promotion, and long-term economic vitality. We are committed to carrying forward these principles in ways that reflect the spirit of our coastal community — balancing progress with preservation, opportunity with identity.

Our work is intentional. It is collaborative. And it is rooted in the belief that thriving small towns don’t happen by accident — they happen when communities come together with vision, strategy, and care for the place they call home.

To our funders, partners, volunteers, and neighbors — thank you for believing in this work and investing in the future of Gold Beach.

Thank you for being a loyal supporter of Gold Beach Main Street!

Stay tuned for more community news, projects, and updates. Feel free to share the love by forwarding this newsletter to friends who care about Gold Beach. They can sign up using the link below to stay connected.

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