Where Business
Takes Root.
Medford, Oregon — where low costs, skilled workers, and an unmatched quality of life create fertile ground for businesses to take root, for talent to grow, and for a whole community to thrive.
How Can We Help You Grow?
Medford offers fertile ground for every stage of business. Choose your path, or let our AI assistant guide you instantly — any time, day or night.
Start a Business
Step-by-step launch checklist, permits, licensing, and a full ecosystem of funding and support resources.
Grow Your Business
Expansion programs, workforce hiring incentives, and partner retention support for established businesses.
Invest & Develop
Urban Renewal, federal Opportunity Zones, Downtown Medford Association (DMA) storefront grants, and downtown development projects.
Site Selectors
Commercial district intelligence, cost comparisons, zoning and permitting, fee estimates, and verified incentive programs — built for companies evaluating Medford.
Rankings Don't Define Us. They Help Us Grow.
Oregon ranks 39th in CNBC's 2025 Top States for Business and 47th in Business Friendliness. We don't shy away from those numbers — we use them. Around here, we know that the best fertilizer doesn't usually smell like roses. It makes our soil richer, our roots deeper, and our businesses tougher.
CNBC's methodology weights categories based on what states emphasize in recruitment marketing — not what actually drives business success in a remote-enabled, talent-driven economy. Oregon's cost structure and regulatory complexity are real challenges. But rankings built on a recruitment-era model systematically undervalue what makes places like the Rogue Valley competitive: placemaking, quality of life, and communities where talent chooses to live.
Source: CNBC Top States 2025
While the state conversation evolves, Medford has been quietly planting seeds. People and businesses are already choosing this place — and the data reflects it.
Sources: U.S. Census Population Estimates · Oregon Secretary of State · Census Building Permits Survey · Full citations and refresh dates in the Economic Indicators dashboard.
Roots already taking hold:
Ready to Make Medford Yours?
Explore Why Medford →Why Medford, Oregon
At the crossroads of California and the Pacific Northwest, Medford is where fertile ground meets real momentum. Whether you're a business exploring expansion, a site selector evaluating the Rogue Valley, a resident invested in your community's future, or an entrepreneur looking for the right place to put down roots — you'll find the data, programs, and people here to help you grow. Explore the highlights below, then dig into the Economic Indicators Dashboard for the full picture — or open MEDA, our AI-powered assistant, anytime for personalized guidance.
Data & Research
Live economic indicators for Medford and Jackson County
Data sources & acronym glossary — what every citation below means
Every chart and KPI on this dashboard is sourced from official, publicly available datasets. The short codes you see (e.g., ACS S1901, BLS QCEW) reference the exact table or program. Here's what each one stands for:
Definitions provided so non-specialist readers — entrepreneurs, residents, and partners — can interpret every data point without leaving the page.
Medford's economy tells a post-pandemic comeback story. Employment rebounded from the 2020 dip and now exceeds pre-pandemic levels, while unemployment at 3.8% sits below the state average — signaling a tight but healthy labor market. The Medford-Grants Pass CSA (the Rogue Valley) reaches ~309,000 residents across Jackson and Josephine Counties, giving businesses access to a substantial consumer base without the cost structures of Portland or California metros.
The business formation surge (+8.3% year-over-year, or YoY) reflects genuine entrepreneurial energy, not just pandemic-era Limited Liability Company (LLC) filings. Combined with $31M in U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) lending flowing into the region, capital is accessible and new ventures are being funded — a strong signal for anyone considering launching here.
The honest challenge: Median household income at $52K is below Portland ($78K) and national metro averages. This means consumer spending power per capita is more modest — but for businesses, it also means lower wage costs and a workforce that values stable employment.
Medford is served by a full-service commercial airport — known by its three-letter International Air Transport Association (IATA) code MFR — providing direct connectivity to West Coast hubs and beyond. Regional accessibility is a critical site-selection factor for businesses evaluating Medford.
At $365K median home price, Medford is roughly 34% cheaper than Portland and 50–65% cheaper than comparable California markets — a tangible recruiting advantage that lets employees' dollars go further. Median household income of $52,300 is below state and national averages, which creates an honest tension: strong purchasing power relative to housing costs, but wage growth is a retention factor employers need to watch.
The 49% renter cost-burden rate — households spending 30%+ of income on rent — is a workforce retention risk that the city is actively addressing through permitting acceleration, zoning updates, and the Downtown 2040 plan's mixed-use provisions. The 4.2% rental vacancy rate signals a tight market, supporting multifamily investment.
The honest challenge: The home price-to-income ratio has risen as in-migration from higher-cost markets pushed prices up faster than local wages. Poverty at 16.2% (above state average) reflects a service-sector economy with a significant low-wage workforce. These are real factors for employers in retail, food service, and healthcare — and real opportunities for affordable housing developers and workforce program funders.
Median household income vs. median home price across peer markets. The gap between income and home price — the affordability ratio — is a key workforce recruitment and retention signal.
Share of Medford renters by gross rent as % of household income (Census ACS B25070).
The Federal Housing Finance Agency's all-transactions House Price Index tracks appreciation over time. Medford's index has risen substantially since 2019 as in-migration accelerated — signaling equity gains for owners, but increased affordability pressure for new buyers.
Medford's 45% renter rate (above Oregon's 38% avg) signals strong rental demand and multifamily investment opportunity. Owner-occupancy trails state averages, a pattern common in in-migration markets.
Medford's industry diversification is a genuine competitive advantage. No single sector exceeds 22% of employment — meaning the economy doesn't rise and fall with one industry's fortunes. Healthcare's dominance (+18% projected 10-year growth) creates a stable employment anchor, while manufacturing and food/ag provide traded-sector depth that brings outside dollars into the region.
The 10-year projections show healthcare, professional services, and construction leading growth — all sectors where Medford has existing infrastructure and workforce pipeline advantages through Asante and Providence (regional hospital systems), Southern Oregon University (SOU), and Rogue Community College (RCC). For entrepreneurs, this means a growing customer base across multiple verticals.
The honest challenge: Government employment is projected to slightly decline (-2%), and some traditional sectors like timber-related manufacturing face long-term structural headwinds. The opportunity lies in the emerging tech sector — still small (8%) but growing as remote workers and cost-sensitive startups discover the Rogue Valley.
The 57.8% labor force participation rate tells two stories. On one hand, it's below the national average (~62%), reflecting Medford's older population and retiree community. On the other, it means there is latent labor supply — workers who could re-enter the workforce with the right incentives, flexible schedules, or remote options. This is a pool that many employers overlook.
The 4,200 annual graduates from Rogue Community College (RCC) and Southern Oregon University (SOU) provide a genuine local talent pipeline — particularly strong in healthcare (nursing, medical tech), business, education, and trades. Rogue Workforce Partnership (RWP) and Oregon's WorkSource job-matching system connect employers to these graduates and offer On-the-Job Training (OJT) funding that offsets training costs.
The honest challenge: Recruiting specialized tech, engineering, or executive talent can be harder in a smaller metro. However, remote work normalization is changing this calculus — Medford's quality of life becomes a draw for distributed teams. Employers who offer hybrid arrangements are finding unexpected success recruiting from Portland and California.
Medford's bachelor's+ rate (23.4%) trails Oregon (33.2%) and the U.S. (35.4%) — a structural workforce challenge for employers recruiting professional and technical talent. RCC and SOU are the primary pipelines for certificate, associate's, and bachelor's credentials locally.
A mean commute of 18.2 minutes vs. the 27-minute national average means Medford workers spend ~44% less time commuting annually — a real quality-of-life and retention advantage.
Medford is a net employment importer — more workers commute in from surrounding communities than residents commute out, confirming its role as the regional employment hub for Southern Oregon.
Medford's population has grown to nearly 86,000 — the broader Jackson County metro exceeds 223,000 and is the dominant economic center between Sacramento and Portland. The median age of 39.4 mirrors Oregon's average, but the age distribution tells a richer story: a 16% retiree population anchors the healthcare sector, while a growing 25–44 cohort signals household formation, consumer spending, and workforce expansion.
The Hispanic/Latino population (16.8%) is the fastest-growing demographic — a significant and underserved market for bilingual services, culturally relevant businesses, and inclusive hiring. Cross-referencing with the workforce tab, this cohort is also an important labor supply channel for healthcare, agriculture, and construction sectors.
The honest challenge: At 16.2% poverty (above state average) and a median household income below state and national norms, discretionary spending per capita is modest. The mean commute of just 18.2 minutes — well below the national 27-minute average — confirms Medford's role as an employment center where workers live close to their jobs, reducing commute friction and supporting workforce retention.
Medford is a car-dependent metro — but the short mean commute time (18.2 min vs. 27 min national avg) signals a compact, accessible employment geography that reduces workforce friction.
$3.8 billion in bank deposits concentrated across 42 local branches signals a community with substantial banking infrastructure and capital reserves. Umpqua Bank's $1.24B market share reflects deep local roots — they were founded in Southern Oregon and understand regional businesses. For entrepreneurs, this means lenders who know the market and will meet with you face-to-face — a stark contrast to dealing with faceless national banks.
$31M in U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) lending (2024) demonstrates active federal capital deployment into the Rogue Valley. The mix of SBA 7(a) and 504 loans means both working capital and real estate/equipment financing are flowing. Craft3 — a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), meaning a federally certified mission-driven lender — adds capital for businesses that don't fit traditional bank criteria.
The honest challenge: Access to venture capital (VC) and growth equity is limited locally — the nearest VC ecosystem is Portland or the Bay Area. High-growth startups seeking Series A+ funding may need to look beyond the region. The Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) bridges this gap with statewide angel networks and pitch competitions.
BLS does not publish a Medford-specific CPI. The Pacific region index (which includes Oregon) is the closest relevant benchmark. Medford's lower housing costs typically keep effective cost-of-living below the Pacific regional average.
Quality of Life as Business Infrastructure
Third places, outdoor access, and cost of living — reframed as business inputs
Cost, location, and workforce get a company to Medford. What helps it stay — and what helps its people stay — is the texture of life around the workday. Downtown, the outdoors, and the region's food and wine scene function here as social infrastructure: the places where hires get made, clients get hosted, teams decompress, and relocating families decide they'll stick. For employers, that infrastructure is unpriced leverage.
Downtown cafés, breweries, wine bars, and public markets give founders and teams room to meet that isn't a conference room. Early hires, referrals, and local partnerships tend to start in rooms like those.
Crater Lake, the Rogue River, Mt. Ashland, and the Cascade–Siskiyou backcountry are close enough to use on a weeknight. 276 sunny days a year extend the usable calendar. Burnout is a retention cost employers don't have to carry when the reset is this accessible.
A walkable downtown, neighborhood-scale civic events, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) arts calendar nine miles south in Ashland, and family amenities shorten the integration period for relocating employees and their households. The people who feel settled inside six months are the ones who stay.
Remote-era candidates compare places, not just offers. Medford gives employers something concrete to sell: a credible life at a credible cost, within direct-flight or drive range of Seattle, Portland, the Bay Area, and the Oregon coast.
The International Economic Development Council's 2025 State of the Field report, drawing on 691 practitioner responses, finds that economic developers increasingly tie success to quality of life — the availability of housing, infrastructure, and community amenities — alongside traditional measures like job creation and tax base. That maps onto the concept of third places: the cafés, bars, parks, and shared tables outside home and work where trust, referrals, and belonging take shape. Downtown density, walkability, and cultural anchors aren't amenities in the marketing sense — they're the social infrastructure that turns a job offer into a life decision.
The places where clients get entertained, teams reset, and new arrivals meet their first ten people.
The recovery infrastructure — and the connectivity that makes Medford viable as a corporate base.
A $365K median home price and an 18-minute commute give Medford a quality-of-life-per-dollar ratio that most West Coast metros can't match. For a candidate relocating from Portland or California, that typically pencils out as a de facto raise — a recruiting asset the employer doesn't fund.
Workforce Development
Talent pipelines, training partners, and employer programs — built for Rogue Valley businesses
Medford's workforce ecosystem is more robust than its metro size suggests. Two post-secondary institutions, a business-led workforce coalition, a WorkSource one-stop, and state-funded training programs combine to give local employers access to talent pipelines, hiring subsidies, and custom training — often at no cost. For employers relocating from larger metros, these services typically exceed what was available through large urban workforce systems.
Key Sectors
Southern Oregon's diversified economy — high-growth sectors with deep regional roots
Click any industry to explore key employers, data, and opportunities.
Voices from Medford's Business & Community Leaders
Real companies putting down real roots. These are the stories of businesses that chose Medford — and what they found when they got here.
Quotes shared with permission by Medford, Oregon business and community leaders. Want to add your story? Contact econdev@cityofmedford.org.
Ready to put down roots?
Start a Business in Medford →Site Selector
This page is built for companies that have chosen Medford and need to finalize the details. Use the Area Intelligence Report for a tailored area analysis, the commercial district guide to match your concept to a corridor, the cost-of-doing-business and fee estimators to pencil out your numbers, and the zoning and incentive tools to close out your due diligence. No PDF hunting, no phone tag.
City population · 223K metro · Largest city between Sacramento and Portland on I-5.
Census Pop. Est. · July 2024Average cost savings vs. California across manufacturing, tech, and retail operations.
CoStar (commercial real estate data) / BLS (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) · 2024Rogue Valley International–Medford Airport (airport code MFR). Direct flights: Seattle, Portland, San Francisco (SF), Los Angeles (LA), Phoenix, Denver · ~10 min from city center.
flymfr.com · Apr 2026🌱 Why Medford? Learn why site selectors, developers, and investors choose to do business here — then, when you're ready, use the tools on this page to plan your project and close your deals.
Full Economic Profile →Area Intelligence Report
Tell us about your business — get a custom area analysis and branded PDF you can share with partners
Medford's commercial landscape is diverse — from downtown mixed-use to highway commercial corridors and industrial parks. Describe your business below and our AI will analyze which areas best fit your needs, then generate a branded one-pager you can download and share with your business partners, investors, or team. The report explains every program and acronym it references — including Enterprise Zone, MURA (Medford Urban Renewal Agency), DMA (Downtown Medford Association), SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration), WOTC (Work Opportunity Tax Credit), and EDLF (Oregon Economic Development Loan Fund) — so you can read it without a glossary.
Explore Commercial Districts
Medford's key commercial corridors, districts, and industrial areas — with demographics and context
Medford's commercial geography serves different business needs. Use the district guide below to understand which areas align with your concept — then explore parcels and zoning detail in the City's Medford Land Information (GIS) system.
Explore Parcels in Detail
Medford's Land Information system (MLI) lets you search by address, view zoning layers, lot boundaries, utilities, and ownership records. Open it to explore specific properties.
Cost of Doing Business Index
Side-by-side cost index comparing Medford to Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, or any U.S. metro by ZIP
Medford's cost structure is one of its strongest competitive advantages. No state sales tax, industrial land at a fraction of California pricing, and wage levels that are lower than Portland but competitive enough to attract and retain quality talent. Use the calculator below to compare costs for your business type.
Zoning, Land Use & Permitting
Zoning designations, compliance requirements, and pre-application conferences
Medford's land use is governed by the Medford Land Development Code (MLDC). Your planned use must be permitted (P), conditionally permitted (C), or authorized as a special use (Ps/Cs) in the zone where your site is located. The table below summarizes Medford's commercial and industrial zoning designations per MLDC Section 10.337. If your project will develop or re-develop the site (new construction, additions, new parking, subdivision, zone change, or a change of use that triggers site review), Medford Planning offers a Pre-Application Conference to scope the Land Use Review — it's the smartest first step. If you're simply moving into an existing space or doing interior tenant improvements, you can go straight to Development Services (Building Safety + Business Licensing) for your building permit and business license.
| Zone Code | Designation | Typical Uses | EZ Eligible |
|---|---|---|---|
| C-S/P | Service Commercial & Professional Office | Offices, clinics, personal services, restaurants (without entertainment), banks, insurance. Most flexible for professional uses. MURA & DMA eligible. | — |
| C-N | Neighborhood Commercial | Small-scale retail, grocery (≤25K sqft), pharmacy, personal services, small offices serving surrounding neighborhoods. | — |
| C-C | Community Commercial | General retail, restaurants, hotels, auto dealers, medical offices, department stores. Biddle Road, Crater Lake Hwy corridors. | — |
| C-R | Regional Commercial | Large-scale retail, regional shopping, commercial recreation, broadcasting, wholesale. Broadest commercial permissions. | — |
| C-H | Heavy Commercial | Fueling stations, motels, trucking, wholesale, light manufacturing. Typically along arterial / state-highway frontage. EZ eligible if inside the Jackson County Enterprise Zone boundary and use qualifies under ORS 285C. | ✓* |
| I-L | Light Industrial | Manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, contractor yards, food processing. Enclosed/screened operations. EZ eligible if inside the Jackson County Enterprise Zone boundary and use qualifies under ORS 285C. | ✓* |
| I-G | General Industrial | Broad manufacturing, heavy equipment, chemicals, lumber/wood products, metal fabrication. Fewer restrictions than I-L. EZ eligible if inside the Jackson County Enterprise Zone boundary and use qualifies under ORS 285C. | ✓* |
| I-H | Heavy Industrial | Petroleum refining, sawmills, heavy processing, bulk storage. Fewest restrictions on operations, noise, outdoor activity. EZ eligible if inside the Jackson County Enterprise Zone boundary and use qualifies under ORS 285C. | ✓* |
P = Permitted · C = Conditional Use Permit required · Ps/Cs = Special Use regulations apply · ✓* EZ eligibility depends on (1) the parcel being inside the Jackson County Enterprise Zone boundary AND (2) the business activity qualifying under Oregon ORS 285C (typically traded-sector: manufacturing, processing, distribution, HQ, call center, eligible hotel). Source: MLDC 10.337 — Uses Permitted in Commercial & Industrial Zoning Districts. Always verify with Medford Planning.
🗺️ Land Use (Planning)
🏗️ Building (Building Safety)
Developing or re-developing a site? Start with a Pre-Application Conference
If your project involves new construction, an addition, new parking, a subdivision, a zone change, or a change of use that triggers site review, meet with Planning staff first. They'll scope the Land Use Review (Types I–IV) and flag potential issues before you commit. If you're simply opening in existing commercial space — no site changes — skip the Pre-App and go straight to Development Services for your business license and building permit.
Development Fee Estimator
Ballpark building permits, SDCs, and plan review fees for your pro forma
Get a ballpark estimate of fees for your commercial project. Actual fees depend on project-specific factors — always confirm with Building Safety before finalizing your pro forma.
⚠️ Estimates only — based on the 2025 City of Medford, Oregon fee schedules (effective 8/1/2025). Does not include MEP or fire suppression permits. SDCs apply to new construction and additions. 2025 Master Fee Schedule (PDF) → · 2025 Planning Fee Schedule (PDF) →
Incentives & Tax Advantages
Key programs for relocating & expanding businesses — plus the full Incentive Finder
| Program | Type | Benefit | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise Zone (3–5yr) | Tax Abatement | Property tax exemption on new plant, equipment & real property | State / Local |
| Strategic Investment Program | Tax Exemption | 15-year property tax exemption on investments >$150M | State |
| Business Expansion Program | Cash Incentive | Forgivable loan for traded-sector employers creating 50+ jobs | State |
| Opportunity Zones | Tax Deferral | Capital gains deferral & 100% exclusion after 10-year hold | Federal |
| WOTC Tax Credits | Tax Credit | Up to $9,600/hire from qualifying target groups | Federal |
| SBA 504 Loans | Loan | Up to $5M for real estate & equipment — below-market rates | Federal |
| MURA Development Incentives | Grant | Façade grants up to $30K + downtown activation programs | Local |
| Construction-in-Process Exemption | Tax Exemption | Property tax exemption during active construction | State |
This is a curated selection for site selectors. The full Incentive Finder screens against all 29 programs based on your specific business profile.
Have questions about Medford?
Our Economic Development team provides free technical assistance and introductions to local resources while protecting your confidential information.
Launch Your Business in Medford
Fertile ground and a full ecosystem of support — from idea to open doors. Medford's partners are ready to help you grow roots and thrive.
🌱 Want the case for Medford first? The tools on this page help you plan a launch and assume Medford is already your destination. If you'd like the broader picture — economy, workforce, cost of doing business, and quality of life — Why Medford lays it out, then circle back here when you're ready to build.
Explore Why Medford →Typical 4–6 Weeks
From business registration to permit approval for most business types in Medford.
Free Concierge Help
Our team walks you through every step. Schedule a call →
MEDA Agent 24/7
Use the chat button (bottom right) for instant answers on permits, zoning, licensing, and local programs.
Your Business Launch Roadmap
Registration, permits, licensing, and the key milestones from idea to open doors
Launching a business in Medford follows a clear, manageable sequence. Most new businesses move from registration to open doors in 4–6 weeks. Oregon has no sales tax and a straightforward business registration process through the Secretary of State. Development Services (Building Safety + Business Licensing, in Community Development) is your front door for business licenses, building permits, and occupancy. If your project will develop or re-develop a site, the Planning Division also offers a Pre-Application Conference to scope a Land Use Review before you commit.
How to Finance Your Business
From community lenders to angel investors — capital available to Medford entrepreneurs
📘 Before You Seek Funding: Financial Readiness 101
Most lenders and investors won't consider your application without two things: a solid business plan and a financial pro forma (a projected income statement showing your expected revenue, costs, and profitability over 1–3 years). Even grant programs typically require financial documentation.
A pro forma isn't a guarantee of results — it's your best-educated projection of how the business will perform financially. It tells a lender or investor: "I've done the homework, and here's why this business can repay the loan or generate a return."
Revenue Projections
Monthly/annual sales estimates based on market research, pricing, and customer volume
Cost of Goods Sold
Direct costs: materials, labor, supplies needed to deliver your product or service
Operating Expenses
Rent, utilities, insurance, payroll, marketing, professional fees, permits, licenses
Startup Costs
One-time costs: build-out, equipment, inventory, deposits, legal/incorporation fees
Cash Flow Projection
Monthly cash in vs. cash out — shows when you'll break even and need reserves
Loan Service / Debt
Monthly loan payments and interest — lenders use this to assess your ability to repay
⚠️ Not legal or financial advice. This overview and any template are educational starting points only. We strongly recommend working with a qualified accountant or financial advisor for your specific situation. The Rogue Small Business Development Center (Rogue SBDC), hosted at Rogue Community College, offers free, one-on-one help building your business plan and financials — they are the best first stop. sbdc.roguecc.edu →
Organizations Supporting You
Local, regional, and statewide organizations ready to help you start, grow, and connect
Finding & Training Your Team
Recruit, train, and retain quality employees — often at no cost to your business
Rogue Workforce Partnership
Business-led coalition offering employer services, on-the-job training (OJT) funds, recruitment support, and WorkSource Oregon connections. Free to businesses.
rogueworkforce.org →Rogue Community College
Customized employer training, apprenticeship programs, professional development, and credit programs in healthcare, trades, technology, and business.
roguecc.edu →Southern Oregon University
SOU's Innovation Hub, business programs, and workforce development initiatives create a steady pipeline of bachelor's and graduate-level talent for Medford employers.
sou.edu →WorkSource Rogue Valley
Free hiring support: job posting, applicant screening, wage reimbursements, and OJT programs through the state WorkSource system. Walk-in or call.
worksourcerogue.org →WOTC Tax Credits
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (federal) gives employers up to $9,600 per new hire from qualifying target groups. Oregon has systems to expedite documentation.
Oregon WOTC info →Oregon Work Share
Avoid layoffs during slow periods by temporarily reducing hours and supplementing wages with partial unemployment benefits — keeping your trained workforce intact.
Oregon Work Share →Already operating a business in Medford?
Expansion planning, workforce incentives, Enterprise Zone abatements, and dedicated support — we're your growth partner.
Grow Your Business
Whether you're expanding an existing operation or exploring what Medford has to offer, our Incentive Finder can help you identify programs you may be eligible for — from tax abatements and grants to workforce training and financing. Each program has specific requirements, and our team is here to help you navigate them.
Workforce Development
Scaling a business means scaling your team. Medford's workforce partners offer hiring support, on-the-job training reimbursements, apprenticeship pipelines, and customized training programs — many at no cost to the employer.
Hiring & OJT Funding
Rogue Workforce Partnership offers on-the-job training (OJT) reimbursements up to 50% of wages, free job posting, applicant screening, and hiring events through WorkSource Rogue Valley.
Custom Training
Rogue Community College partners directly with employers to design training programs, apprenticeships, and upskilling courses in healthcare, trades, technology, and business.
Tax Credits & Incentives
The WOTC federal tax credit provides up to $9,600/hire. Oregon Work Share helps retain trained staff during slow periods.
Nominate a Business for Recognition
Mayor's Business SpotlightRecognizing Medford's Business Champions
Know a local business that's creating jobs, serving the community, or doing something remarkable in the Rogue Valley? Nominate them for a recognition visit from the Mayor, City Council Members, or City Manager.
Recognition visits celebrate your business's contribution to Medford's economic vitality — and they make for a great community moment. Nominations are reviewed monthly by the Economic Development Office.
City Manager · Staff
Nominations are sent to econdev@cityofmedford.org and reviewed monthly. All information is kept confidential.
Evaluating Medford for a new facility or relocation?
Available sites, cost comparisons, zoning data, fee estimates, and verified incentives — built for site selectors.
Talk to Our Team
Free, confidential assistance at every stage of your business journey. Tell us where you are and we'll connect you with the right resource.
Exploring Ideas
I'm researching, exploring options, and learning what it takes to start or relocate a business in Medford.
Actively Planning
I have a business concept and I'm working on my plan, funding, location, or permits. I need specific guidance.
Ready to Launch or Expand
I have a plan and financing in motion. I need help with final steps, permits, incentive applications, or introductions.
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