By Mayor Charles McNeilly
What can a small coastal community of fewer than 1,500 residents teach other towns about economic development, tourism, and quality of life? Quite a lot, it turns out.
Rockaway Beach has transformed itself from a town focused primarily on attracting visitors into a community that balances resident well-being, tourism, business growth, environmental stewardship, and accessibility. Through innovative programs such as facade improvement grants, business-friendly city leadership, and investments in public amenities, the city has attracted new businesses, revitalized its downtown, and enhanced opportunities for both visitors and locals.
A recent feature article explores how visionary leadership, professional city management, and commitment to community-centered development have helped Rockaway Beach become a statewide model for rural economic success. From protecting its watershed and expanding recreation opportunities to creating accessible attractions that draw tens of thousands of visitors each year, Rockaway Beach demonstrates that thoughtful local investments can deliver remarkable results.
Discover how this small Oregon coast town is redefining what sustainable growth looks like and why communities across the region are taking notice in Scott Gilbert’s article Rockaway Beach: Not Business as Usual in Oregon Business Q4 2026.
