Local businesses weigh in on wage increase

ROSEBURG, Ore. -- Oregon's minimum wage increased at the start of the year, and while that means good things for workers, it also means that businesses with workers making minimum wage will have to shell out a few more bucks to stay at the same level of service.

Starting on January 1, the minimum wage raised 30 cents to $8.80 an hour.

Local business owners say that the wage increase could add a small speed bump, but they don't think it will impact their operations all that much. "I think any time costs go up we have concerns, and try to keep it in mind however, when everything goes up, that's something we'll have to address," said Misty Russell, owner of Brix 527. "You know, I think food service is a tough business and I wouldn't want to shortchange any of my workers right now."

The owner of My Coffee, Debi Waldron, agrees with Russell, but says that she will probably have to make a few adjustments. "I will definitely have to raise some prices to compensate for not only that, but other items that are going up," she said.

Waldron adds that she may also have to pick up a few extra hours herself.

The wage increase mirrors a nearly 3.8% increase in the Consumer Price Index since August 2010.

Ballot measure 25, which was enacted by Oregon voters in 2002, requires an annual minimum wage adjustment based on inflation.

Both women said that with continued community support, they believed that their businesses may not notice the pinch from the wage increase.