Business & Economy
Introduction
Since the 1940's the Mt. Shasta Chamber of Commerce has been the voice of business for the Mt. Shasta area. Through the Chamber, local professionals and businesses work together to identify, define and find solutions for community issues.
The core industry and economic generator in Mt. Shasta is tourism. Tourism affects every business in Mt. Shasta, directly and indirectly.
The Chamber's Visitors Bureau is the leading marketing organization responsible for generating tourism in order to enhance the vitality of our economy. Our Visitor's Pavilion has almost 26,000 visitors per year requesting information, with another 68,000 visitors online.
Mt. Shasta is a city of great economic, social, recreational and spiritual diversity where residents find both creative and traditional means to achieve success. The community was built on the strong pioneering spirit of folks who came for the natural beauty and the opportunity to grow success in a sparsely populated area. Much remains the same today. Newcomers join beside natives who can trace their family back several generations in spinning the fabric of Mt. Shasta.
Water has played an important role in Mt. Shasta's economy from the days of the early 1900's when tourists came to drink the soda water at a number of resorts. Much of the tourism industry is built on water, in one form or another. Fishing, river rafting, boating at Lake Siskiyou and camping around alpine lakes attract many visitors every year. Snow supports booming business at the Mt. Shasta Board and Ski Park and the mountaineering industry. The quality of drinking water draws business interests from companies like CCDA Waters, LLC, which has a water bottling plant in Mt. Shasta. With the development of Roseburg Park, water may again attract business as developers court light industry. In 2006 Mt. Shasta received an award for "Best Tasting Water in California."
Large sources of employment in the area are complimented by a wealth of small businesses that occupy downtown shops, out-of-the-way warehouses and tucked away offices. Mail-order businesses, internet-based companies and Mt. Shasta's extensive spiritual community stimulate the local economy and create diversity.
The chamber strives to support that economic diversity as the city grows and new businesses come to the area. Through diversity we are building a strong foundation for our future where a high quality of life and conservation of this beautiful area are cornerstones of the community.
Employer and Business Development Resources
There is an abundance of local resources for business and employers in Mt. Shasta. Siskiyou County provides services in career assessment, testing and counseling, on-the-job training, financing assistance, business development, self-employment training, and job-seeking and placement assistance.
| Jefferson Economic Development Institute (JEDI) | (530) 926-6670 |
| Personnel Preference | (800) 479-8367 (530) 938-3909 |
| Siskiyou Training Employment Program (STEP) | (530) 938-3231 |
| Siskiyou County Economic Development Council (SCEDC) | (530) 842-1638 |
| Workforce Connection Yreka | (530) 842-7329 |
| State of CA, Employment Development Department | (800) 300-5616 |
| Cascade Small Business Development Center | (530) 226-2770 |
Economic Development Resources
| Siskiyou County Economic Development Council | (800) 842-1638 (530) 842-1638 |
| Jefferson Economic Development Institute (JEDI) | (530) 926-6670 |
| Great Northern Corporation | (530) 938-4115 |
| Center for Economic Development | (530) 898-4598 |
| Superior California Economic Development District | (530) 225-2760 |
Employment Industries
Economic Growth & Trends
| 2000 | 2002 | 2004 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Taxable Retail Sales (Co.) | $225,732 | $260,430 | $308,900 | $340,511 | $351,621 | na |
| Total Taxable Retail Sales (City) | $41,663 | $48,126 | $58,703 | $63,584 | $64,717 | na |
| Population (Co.) | 44,281 | 44,604 | 45,171 | 45,628 | 45,607 | 45,725 |
| Population (City) | 3,621 | 3,659 | 3,677 | 3,657 | 3,612 | 3,583 |
| Dwelling Units (City) | 1,798 | 1,827 | 1,856 | 1,872 | 1,882 | 1,888 |
| School Enrollment, (County) | 7,423 | 6,942 | 6,932 | 6,357 | 6,275 | 6,187 |
Siskiyou County Largest Employers 2008
| County of Siskiyou | 797 employees |
| Klamath National Forest | 400 employees |
| Wal-Mart | 350 employees |
| Mercy Medical Center Mt. Shasta | 350 employees |
| Siskiyou Hospital Inc. | 290 employees |
| Nor-Cal Products Inc. | 192 employees |
| Roseburg Forest Products | 161 employees |
| Personnel Preference | 150 employees |
| Scott River Ranger Dist. Salmon River | 150 employees |
| Mount Shasta Resort | 120 employees |
Siskiyou County Largest Women-Owned Employers 2008
| Personnel Preference | 150 employees |
| Creative Tent Inc. | 55 employees |
| Robert Ochoa | 50 employees |
| Siskiyou Telephone Co. | 35 employees |
| Tulelake Potato Distributors | 30 employees |
| Yreka Transfer LLC | 23 employees |
| Siskiyou Home Health Services | 20 employees |
| McCloud Market Inc. | 18 employees |
| Mount Shasta Title & Escrow Co. | 15 employees |
Statistical Resources
Center for Economic Development
California State University, Chico
(530) 898-4598
Publishes annually an extensive resource for regional nine counties of Northern California
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Center for Economic Development
California State University, Chico
(530) 898-4598
Publishes annually an extensive resource for regional nine counties of Northern California
RAND California
An online source for California and U.S. Statistics by subscription. The reference desk of your local library may be able to access it for you.
Transportation
Interstate 5, the major artery through central Siskiyou County connects the rural towns to California's major freeway.
Rail
Amtrak (800) 231-2222
Union Pacific (Freight Only) (888) 870-8777
McCloud Railway (Freight Only) (530) 964-2141
Truck
Numerous common carriers providing interstate and intrastate service. Overnight delivery provided in California (and 5-7 day delivery any place in the U.S.)
Local carriers:
Erickson Trucking (530) 926-6181
Stidham Trucking (530) 842-4104
Peters Truck Lines (530) 842-4134
Airports serving our area
Redding, California
United Express (800) 241-6522
Horizon Air (800) 547-9308
Sacramento, California
Administration (916) 929-5411
Medford, Oregon
Administration (541) 776-7222
General aviation:
local Siskiyou County airports (530) 842-8295
Ground Transportation
Greyhound Bus Terminal
(800) 231-2222
Local (530) 938-4454
S.T.A.G.E. County Bus
(800) 247-8243
Local (530) 842-8295
Hertz Car Rental
(800) 654-3131
Local (530) 841-0211