Business Resources
Business Resources
Interested in doing business in Downtown Camas? Click here for information on the Downtown Camas Association, why Downtown Camas is a great place to do business, and ways we partner with local businesses to advance downtown efforts. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
Successful businesses make a successful downtown! Here are resources to help.
Starting and Running a Business
It is very important to have a clear plan and resources when starting a business. Below are useful links when thinking about starting a business, creating a business plan, having the resources and information you need, and managing and growing your business. Your success is important to us!
- Doing Business in Washington State, Access Washington, including information on licenses, permits, taxes, employees, etc.
- SBA (Small Business Administration) on Starting and Managing a Business (including business plan guidance, market research, legal and financial resources)
- Plan Your Business, State of Washington
- Washington State Business Resource Guide (pdf)
- FREE Small Business Resources by Deluxe Corporation (The Small Business Revolution folks!)
- Small Business Development Center (SBDC)—FREE business assistance and resources, www.wsbdc.org
- SCORE–FREE local business mentoring, (360) 545-3210, www.vancouver.score.org
Camas Information
Camas, population 28,265, is situated in eastern Clark County, 15 minutes from Portland International Airport. Camas is historically a paper mill town—Georgia Pacific still operates here– and is also home to several large, hi-tech manufacturing industries. Known for its outstanding school system, its charming historic downtown, outdoor recreation, and quality of life, Camas is an ideal place to call home and to do business.
Videos about Camas
We are so very pleased to share our new Downtown Camas videos with you! These show the feel, businesses, art and amenities of downtown and we hope you enjoy them and share them. Thank you!
Downtown Camas Videos
“Welcome to Downtown Camas”
“Fridays in Downtown Camas”
“Saturdays in Downtown Camas”
“Sundays in Downtown Camas”
“Why Come to Camas”
“Chef Tim’s Story”
“Elida’s Story”
This is a 2 minute video about Camas overall and why you want to live and work here!
Here is another 2 minute video that shows very clearly why we love Camas and why it is successful and will continue to grow! Thank you to the City of Camas, the Camas School District, and the Port of Camas Washougal for creating this meaningful piece.
The Camas School District created this video that explains how our history has created the outstanding educational system that we have in Camas. It’s no accident!
Survey Information
Each year the DCA conducts a community survey. In 2024, our survey asked “How Do You Find Out About Downtown Camas?” with these top responses: word of mouth, signage around town, Facebook and Instagram.
In 2023, our survey asked “What Would You Like to See Next in Downtown Camas?” with these top responses: Gathering Place with shadier/covered area for Camas Farmer’s Market, performance/music area and children’s play area; Arcade; Deli/Sandwich Shop
In 2022, our survey asked “What Would You Like to See in Downtown?” with these top responses: Roller Skating/Roller Blading Indoors, Arcade and Bowling. A Kitchen Store with Cooking Classes was a close 4th.
In 2019, our survey asked “What Would Bring You to Downtown Camas More Often Mondays – Wednesdays?” with these top responses: Bowling Alley, Arcade, Ice Cream Shop Open Late Until 10pm and Live Performance (open mic night with singing, comedy, etc).
In 2018, our survey asked “What Do You Most Want to See Next in Downtown Camas?” with these top responses: For retail: Teen Arcade/Activities and a Bookstore and for restaurants: Pizza/Italian and Ice Cream.
In 2017, our survey asked what people would want to most see next in Downtown Camas with these top responses: Food carts (faster food options esp. at events), more live music, a central gathering place, an ice cream shop with evening hours, and a splash pad.
In 2016, our survey asked what people wanted to see next in Downtown Camas with these top responses: Kids’ Play Area, More Events, Restaurant with Kids’ Area, and Deli/restaurant.
In 2015, our survey focused on what would bring people downtown more often. Top responses: More special events, more restaurants (including sushi, pizza, and a deli), and a wine tasting/wine shop.
Important Camas Contacts
- Mayor’s Office, (360) 834-6864, www.cityofcamas.us
- Community Development Department (Building and Land Development Permits), (360) 817-1562
- Fire Marshal’s Office, (360) 834-6191
- Clark County Health Department, (360) 397-8000
- Camas Washougal Chamber of Commerce, (360) 834-2472, www.cwchamber.com
- Us! Downtown Camas Association, (360) 216-7378, www.downtowncamas.com
Other Business Tools and Education
- Downtown Design Manual, pdf (24 MB)
- Small Business Entrepreneur Tips—Before you Start, pdf
- Main Street B&O Tax Incentive Program
- Interested in restoring a historic building? Here are the Standards for Restoration & Guidelines for Restoring Historic Buildings. Please reach out to us at info@downtowncamas.com and we can connect you with Main Street experts that can guide you through.
- The 2008 Downtown Camas Vision and Plan (Please note: this plan provided preliminary concepts for potential areas of development in Downtown Camas. Did not include actual building styles that would be used and not all concepts would be suitable for downtown—these were simply ideas to start to visualize development feasibility in downtown.) View the Vision and Action Plan including concept drawings
Local networking opportunities
- C-W Chamber of Commerce hosts networking luncheons and business after hours events each month. Click here for current events.
- C-W Local Connections is a dedicated morning networking group, open to all Camas and Washougal businesses, that meets the 4th Tuesday of each month in various Camas and Washougal locations. Click here for more info!
