[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6612327,"mediaKeyId","2891811-53bff6f72e46fc54b3f21f636bd47c4c","parentId",2891811,"title","EDCO reports pipeline of manufacturing and bioscience projects; housing and capacity remain constraints","audioSeconds",672,"startMs",6891000,"endMs",7563000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891811-53bff6f72e46fc54b3f21f636bd47c4c&start=6891&end=7563","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891811-53bff6f72e46fc54b3f21f636bd47c4c/thumbnail_6891000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6612327/Bend/Deschutes-County/Oregon/EDCO-reports-pipeline-of-manufacturing-and-bioscience-projects-housing-and-capacity-remain-constraints","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612327-51ca79ba7bc5bede205a3db002111924/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136265&Signature=nYUQiWeR5IWP30IrTxGQkcvHguWBAz7pCCIYNnj--Rh9pzqgRx5S6XRz42sMDh19bqOkprJ~iyrS~fB5kWojT95hWJhrzDxS5O5TzfG9SEJwYtg7FOSGMA3DCJ8nIlrxRcw7xF7Kk1m-fPuTJZyUMhYANlPO0lPXgdezOHtEqFvhrdgT3xmY0o5xkG2WlM9NSDg4o0usHYoyRYDw2p0N~bSkslmqq-2GHFfrItVnJ2mDtrDvF2wZXJ0fNEBrxvKQ1MkRfD5I5haV5-BrWiPIxsyjcbRtBGdxZRAtoubRM7OMkLYBiWZRZhcc0jOGwoI8rLfpKoqRrTlDi6htAJ0p8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Bend, OR","date","2025-04-07T21:34:56.403Z","article","EDCO provided a quarterly update to BDAB on April 7, describing its current pipeline, event programming and two foundational workforce and incubator initiatives targeting bioscience and consumer packaged‑goods companies.

Don (EDCO) told BDAB that EDCO’s events and networking programs remain a core part of its work and that the organization is managing a pipeline of approximately 100 projects across start, grow and move categories. EDCO said the current pipeline could generate roughly 700 jobs and more than $300 million in projected capital investment if projects proceed as expected.

EDCO emphasized two near‑term projects: (1) a customized bioscience workforce training program being developed with Central Oregon Community College (COCC) to support manufacturing needs in local bioscience firms; and (2) a vision exercise to establish an incubator for consumer packaged‑goods (food and beverage) entrepreneurs to support product development, packaging and logistics for founder‑led small firms.

The presentation noted that bioscience projects, though a minority of total project count, account for a disproportionate share of projected new jobs and higher wages. EDCO also said that supply constraints — most notably access to housing for workers and company staff — remain the most binding constraint on business attraction and expansion in the Bend market.

EDCO described outreach channels that now include digital marketing leads, one‑on‑one company efforts and new convenings such as a Bend Business Roundtable that connects large local employers with city officials. EDCO said the digitized lead program, created in 2023, represents about one‑third of its new‑client leads.

Don told BDAB that some medium‑ and large‑scale industrial prospects continue to seek ground with rail capacity or other specific infrastructure that Bend currently cannot offer, though forthcoming sites such as portions of Juniper Ridge and the Stevens tract were noted as potential opportunities for more industrial and housing capacity.

EDCO also said it has started an internal strategic‑plan update and will coordinate with the city’s InvestBend and other regional planning efforts to align targets and programs. EDCO said its role includes event programming (Made in Bend tour May 8), start‑up support and business retention and growth work for established manufacturers and technology firms.

BDAB members asked EDCO to continue reporting on material pipeline outcomes (jobs and capital), workforce training development with COCC and how EDCO’s efforts can better align with city housing and infrastructure initiatives.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bend Economic Development Advisory Board Hybrid Meeting - 04/07/25 - 12:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","EDCO updated BDAB on recent business‑attraction and start/scale activity in Bend, highlighting bioscience and consumer packaged‑goods clusters, a pipeline that EDCO said could generate roughly 700 jobs and $300 million in capital, and ongoing limits posed by housing and infrastructure.","taxTitle","Bend, Deschutes County, Oregon","taxId",2850,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6612332,"Visit Bend reports flat lodging‑tax revenue, outlines marketing ROI and $561,000 in community grants",865,2681000,3546000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891811-53bff6f72e46fc54b3f21f636bd47c4c&start=2681&end=3546","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891811-53bff6f72e46fc54b3f21f636bd47c4c/thumbnail_2681000.jpg","/articles/6612332/Bend/Deschutes-County/Oregon/Visit-Bend-reports-flat-lodgingtax-revenue-outlines-marketing-ROI-and-561000-in-community-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612332-5f1eafd6e7dea8a2b3ddfc1620b419f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136265&Signature=oMmsobZjekXvyKoV2Ev~UAaI8VyMynD~4OiLg2aGkWgAsRNRHNoMTZeZlq8n-m6FP6MUcmIcEH1LiDqbK0fRXJ21mOlwmIJk7BBLctZHZFK37j9thqNZVRibRfHaWARSI7s95H0XttaKHI3dkLjkykdy6L3tMm3lKjJI-c8dSorGT5gPqOK3P6PEfrTrSSWw-6E4TVq8YKfyqc~r527qqrirLOgfYPqr5PseXaM8Ru6yK32hNEzThdikvPdhkDZXaBO49znurdwGgF8QvflSdLWvFiUuz~uHNLcuHRp8WzRvFTljXlFLiImvRV0J~90R6mrCuwvIYuWxeVzGp9-EJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Visit Bend presented a midyear update to BDAB April 7, reporting essentially flat transient lodging tax collections year‑over‑year through January, outlining marketing outcomes and awarding about $561,000 in destination stewardship grants for community projects.

Visit Bend executives described how the transient lodging tax operates in the city: the local tax rate is 10.4% on stays shorter than 30 days and the city retains roughly 65% of the revenue for its general fund. Visit Bend said the city’s share was just over $8 million in the most recent fiscal year and that total lodging tax collections for the city were roughly $14.3 million for the same period.

Staff presented key performance metrics: a 12‑month blended hotel occupancy of about 62.1% for the city, roughly flat lodging tax collections (down about 0.8% year‑over‑year through January) and a conservative internal forecast of flat collections for fiscal year 2026 and a 1% increase for fiscal year 2027.

Visit Bend reported that about $442,000 had been spent on targeted marketing year‑to‑date; using destination tracking and payment‑card spend data, the organization estimated that advertising attributable to those campaigns produced about $6.7 million in direct visitor spending. Visit Bend quantified that as an estimated return on marketing spend of roughly 14‑times (the organization reported the estimate as approximately 1,420% ROI for event campaign dollars).

Staff outlined three areas of emphasis going forward: (1) diversify and track marketing to increase midweek and shoulder‑season stays; (2) grow group business by pursuing conferences and RFPs (staff said early RFP activity has produced roughly 7,900 preliminary room nights tied to the new group‑sales outreach); and (3) invest in destination stewardship.

On stewardship, Visit Bend announced $561,000 in transient lodging‑tax grants awarded to six local projects. The funded projects included new EV charging infrastructure, lighting and construction for pickleball courts at Pine Nursery, new docks at Cultus and Paulina lakes (Deschutes Trails Coalition), roof repairs for Skyliner Lodge, four new downhill mountain‑bike trails at Winoga Snowpark (two designed for adaptive use) and an event‑waste/recycling pilot run by Deschutes County Department of Solid Waste. Visit Bend said the grants prioritize projects that benefit residents and extend the visitor season.

Visit Bend also introduced Xavier Borah as its new destination stewardship director and said the organization has structured a community ballot to allocate smaller discretionary awards and encourage public input on grant priorities.

On policy, Visit Bend said it provided neutral testimony on House Bill 3556 (a draft measure discussed during testimony) and had questions about drafting clarifications and potential legal issues; the organization described itself as willing to participate in policy discussions while emphasizing the need for careful language and impact analysis.

Visit Bend executives told BDAB they planned to present a draft strategic plan and budget to the board in about a month and bring that plan to city council on June 4; Visit Bend’s board will consider adoption on June 6, according to the timeline offered during the presentation.","Visit Bend told BDAB that lodging‑tax receipts were essentially flat year‑over‑year through January, detailed marketing returns on ad spend, described grant awards totaling $561,000 for local stewardship projects and previewed plans to re‑enter strategic summer marketing and grow group sales.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6612337,"BDAB approves InvestBend framework to guide 10-year economic development plan",2611,1329000,3940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891811-53bff6f72e46fc54b3f21f636bd47c4c&start=1329&end=3940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891811-53bff6f72e46fc54b3f21f636bd47c4c/thumbnail_1329000.jpg","/articles/6612337/Bend/Deschutes-County/Oregon/BDAB-approves-InvestBend-framework-to-guide-10-year-economic-development-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612337-73c749f46ab012a9baadb756d7256383/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136265&Signature=jTc8WgWLoxIlU2427rHO17de4NPJIKxBlMe6t~6avgRlkokipp2mxCHJehEE7QY7UTZOgUbkRZjrmXlzRetWj5ssjIHazCQNVFFLCQuiJPwxyVw6~7FfOnSvNC0Z3N5f-L~~1g61XYm8cwoLvVg1E4j9ayFFh~E4tHWcBdM1bZRV7qHLoVq~vASM4LHrnG4aueBbqzmBoKDDVuKqYjWMWp0XOUpQBQIKmjGqMK~EnfIO1Rxbf97525jHp~n~DaQIU0k7ZlVVXK8kNk0FFFoYpVVorRzn~19ID1mlsHiFpIybt~HE6IiRESfEtlx1a5TdmyPrTsM2IOB5A5vwLI2sPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bend Development Advisory Board (BDAB) voted April 7 to approve a framework for “InvestBend,” a staff-led effort to develop a 10-year economic development strategic plan for the city of Bend.

The framework sets a 10-year vision, five-year outcomes and a two-year investment strategy; staff said the process will include demographic and industry cluster analysis, a housing and economic landscape assessment, a worker survey, three rounds of focused stakeholder sessions and about 100 one‑on‑one interviews with employers and community organizations. Staff and BDAB members said they expect to return a draft plan for adoption by December 2025.

BDAB members heard from city staff that the InvestBend effort will position the city to coordinate economic development programs, policies, partnerships and investments tied to objectives such as housing affordability, workforce development and preserving Bend’s character. City staff described the framework as a way to align urban renewal, regional strategies and other existing plans into a single economic development roadmap.

City staff identified a timeline that begins with data compilation and inventory work now, moves into community engagement and strategy development in June, completes a draft plan in August and seeks formal adoption in December. Staff asked BDAB to serve as the primary advisory body overseeing the project; they named Mayor Pro Tem Megan Perkins and BDAB chair Mike Riley as council champions.

BDAB members and staff discussed how to structure focus groups and which regional partners to invite. Staff proposed up to three focused groups, each capped at about 20 participants to keep the discussions productive. Several board members urged including regional funding bodies and grant administrators early in the process — specifically, representatives from COIC, Business Oregon and EDCO — so that the plan’s objectives align with available state and federal programs.

Staff requested BDAB members submit an initial list of community organizations and businesses they recommend for interviews; staff requested nominations by April 14 and said they will begin scheduling focus sessions for April 21. Staff also asked BDAB members to self-select areas of the plan where they want to take ownership (visioning, data review, stakeholder interviews and similar roles).

BDAB approved the framework by voice vote after a motion to adopt the framework was moved and seconded; the board chair called for ayes and no opposition was recorded. Staff emphasized that the framework will continue to be refined through summer public engagement and will return to BDAB for review and public presentations to council.

Key staff and participants named during the presentation included Cyrus (city staff, project lead), Jonathan (city staff, project manager) and internal staff on the project team: Cassia (climate), Kate Schneider (chief executive policy officer), Carrie Bell (middle‑income housing coordinator), Damien (growth management), Carrie Carl (disaster and emergency management), Matt Stewart (real estate director) and Renee Mitchell (communications director). Mayor Pro Tem Megan Perkins presented council context to BDAB and encouraged board members’ engagement.

Next steps outlined by staff: prepare and publish data analyses; run three focus‑group sessions (visioning, strategy, and implementation sessions); complete approximately 100 stakeholder interviews between now and late July; incorporate existing plans and regional strategies; and return a draft for BDAB and city council review prior to a planned December adoption.

The board’s vote sets the process in motion; staff said work on the data and outreach will begin immediately.","The Bend Development Advisory Board (BDAB) voted to approve a framework for “InvestBend,” a city-led process to produce a 10‑year economic development strategy; staff will run data analysis, conduct focus groups and stakeholder interviews, and return with a draft plan targeted for adoption by December.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

EDCO reports pipeline of manufacturing and bioscience projects; housing and capacity remain constraints

Visit Bend reports flat lodging‑tax revenue, outlines marketing ROI and $561,000 in community grants

BDAB approves InvestBend framework to guide 10-year economic development plan