Why Douglas County’s Future Depends on Diversifying Our Economy.
If you’ve lived in Douglas County for any length of time, you know how deeply rooted the timber and forest industries are in our history. Generations of families have built their lives around these jobs. The values, the work ethic, the pride — they’re a core part of who we are.
And let me be clear: the forest sector is still important, and it’s not going anywhere.
But if we want Douglas County to thrive in the decades ahead, we need to face a simple truth:
our economy can no longer survive on a single industry. Not anymore.
What the Numbers Tell Us
The forest sector makes up only 13.2% of total employment in Douglas County.
(Source: Douglas Timber Operators, Economy & Employment Data)Statewide figures show that wood products manufacturing still accounts for a meaningful share of Oregon’s manufacturing economy, including here at home.
(Source: Willamette Week, April 2025)Across rural Oregon, forest-sector jobs represent about 6% of total employment, compared to only 2% in metro counties.
(Source: Oregon Employment Department, 2023)
These numbers confirm what many of us already know:
Timber still matters.
Timber still puts food on the table for many families.
Timber is part of our identity.
But it also shows something else:
87% of Douglas County jobs are already outside the forest sector.
And yet, we haven’t built a strong, balanced economy to sustain those other sectors — or the families that rely on them.
Why Dependence on a Single Industry Holds Us Back
Relying too heavily on one industry makes our county vulnerable to:
Market downturns
Federal timber-policy changes
Mill closures
Automation
Wildfire impacts
Supply-chain disruptions
When those swings hit, our families feel it. Our schools feel it. Our businesses feel it. Our county budget feels it.
A thriving community doesn’t happen by accident — it requires broad opportunities, good-paying jobs across multiple fields, and a plan for long-term stability.
Our Kids Deserve More Options than “Move Away to Succeed”
Too many young people leave Douglas County because they can’t find the careers they want here. They love this place, but they don’t see a future that matches their skills, passions, or goals.
That has to change.
A healthy economy should offer:
Trades jobs
Tech jobs
Healthcare jobs
Manufacturing jobs
Creative and cultural jobs
Renewable energy jobs
Business and entrepreneurship opportunities
We shouldn’t lose our next generation simply because we refused to build a wider foundation for them.
Diversification Doesn’t Replace Timber — It Strengthens It
This isn’t about turning our backs on the forest sector. It’s about making sure the families who depend on timber have a stronger, more resilient community to live in.
By expanding our economy, we:
Increase local wages
Stabilize the county budget
Support small businesses
Keep young families here
Improve public services
Attract new industries that complement our existing strengths
A diverse economy doesn’t weaken the forest sector.
It protects it by ensuring that when the industry faces challenges — as it has many times — our entire county doesn’t suffer.
Douglas County Has Incredible Potential
We have:
Abundant natural beauty
Affordable land
Strong rural values
A workforce that knows how to get things done
A location perfect for industry, logistics, recreation, and innovation
What we’ve been missing is leadership with the honesty, courage, and vision to take the next step.
It’s Time to Build a Stronger Future
Douglas County deserves an economy that works for everyone — not just people in one sector, not just people with connections, not just people who happen to benefit from the “good ole boy” system that has kept us stagnant.
Diversifying our economy is not optional.
It’s not political.
It’s not controversial.
It’s common sense and it’s long overdue.
Our past is rooted in the forest.
Our future belongs to every person who calls Douglas County home.
And together, we can build an economy that gives our community strength, stability, and opportunity for generations to come.