Ashland is known as a place for innovation and creativity boasting a highly educated citizenry with an estimated 56.5% of people, ages 25 and over, who have a bachelor’s degree or higher underscoring an historic legacy of education and culture.
As home of Southern Oregon University, Ashland has been recognized as a place of independent thought for over 140 years educating students and impacting the region as the number one employer.
At 16%, Ashland has a high percentage of self-employed workers that is significantly higher than the regional, state or even national average. Numerous independently run businesses offer local products, services and solutions for residents and visitors.
A creative culture fosters over 80 restaurants, micro-breweries, wineries, numerous galleries, unique shops, music and theatre cultivated by being the home of the 84 year old world-class Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The cultural and culinary amenities combined with year-round outdoor recreation makes Ashland a visitor destination for nearly 350,000 visitors a year.
Ashland residents have a deep respect for nature and share a common dependence on our natural environment for clean water, air and wise land use. Many businesses apply sustainable practices with a number of leading-edge green businesses located here. Technology innovators and high performing companies doing global business make Ashland their home drawn by the incredible quality of life.
Ashland business owners are involved serving in positions of leadership and participating in networking functions with various organizations to grow their businesses while giving back to the community. Family run businesses with second, third and even fourth generations of ownership create a personal connection between their customers, the community and their business donating time, financial resources and personal commitment to enhance Ashland.
