The town's largest employer is Southern Oregon University (SOU), which has a faculty and staff of more than 750. In addition to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the university, health-service providers make significant contributions to the economy. Businesses related to outdoor recreation, transportation, technology, and light manufacturing are also important. In 2010, the Shakespeare Festival employed about 500 people, the hospital about 400, the public schools about 300, and the City of Ashland about 250. The Bathroom Readers' Press, which produces the Uncle John's Bathroom Reader books, is based in Ashland and San Diego. Brammo, specializing in battery-electric motorcycles, was based in Ashland but moved to Talent.
the toWn'S LarGEST employER Is SoutHErn ORegOn universIty (sou), which has a FacultY aND stAFF of MoRe thAN 750. in addiTIon to the oRegON shAkEsPeAre festivAl And The unIveRSity, health-SerVIce providers maKe sIgNificant cOntributions to the eCoNoMY. BusineSSes reLATEd to oUtdooR rECREatIon, TraNSportaTiON, technOlOgY, anD LighT manUfactuRinG are alSo iMportaNt. in 2010, tHe ShakEsPeaRe festivaL EMployed aBout 500 pEople, the hospITAl about 400, tHE public schools abouT 300, And ThE cITY of Ashland About 250. ThE bathrOom rEaDerS' press, WhiCh pRODuCes the uNcle John'S bAThRooM reADeR boOks, is Based IN ashlaNd aND sAN dieGO. BrammO, specialIZiNg in BatTEry-elEctrIc MotoRcycLeS, was baSeD iN asHland but moVEd to TalEnT.