The Milken Institute recently named the Bend-Redmond metro area the Best Performing City in the US for the 3rd year in a row. Citing our tech sector and growing economy as a few of the reasons for Bend’s continued growth, the Milken Institute report states,

“The high-tech sector has become an anchor industry for the metro, which diversifies the economy beyond health-care and tourism. The metro’s high-tech GDP grew 4.1 percent from 2016-2017, continuing year-over-year rank increases. The risk capital and entrepreneurial infrastructure expanded in 2018 when Oregon State University-Cascades (OSUCascades) opened its Innovation Co-Lab. The Co-Lab joins various incubators and investment funds in Bend that provide support for the high-tech sector. The knowledge-based economic engine of the metro should continue to see growth as the university continues to provide new graduates. The class of 2018 graduated a total of 368 students, 90 of which earned master’s degrees. The presence of the Central Oregon Community College should also provide affordable higher education for the resident population. Access to post-secondary education will be important going forward to maintain high levels of educational attainment.

Bend-Redmond has become a place for entrepreneurship driven by tech and biotech. A recent example of Bend successfully taking advantage of new markets in the tech sector is Dutchie, an e-commerce cannabis retailer that brought in a $3 million investment from Casa Verde Capital as well as others like the venture capital firm The Durant Company. Online pet gear retailer Ruffwear received $250,000 from the Governors Strategic Reserve Fund as part of an expansion plan that includes co-working space for local entrepreneurs. Seven Peaks Ventures closed its second fund of $28 million and has donated $62,500 to the computer science program at OSU-Cascades.”

Central Oregon is known as a business-friendly area with some of the lowest operating costs in the Pacific Northwest, helping to lead Oregon’s population growth over the past two decades. Deschutes County has frequently been named one of the fastest-growing areas in the country, and our region has topped the state in job growth over the past ten years.

However, what remains a challenge for Bend and the surrounding areas is employment. According to the Oregon Employment Department, 78% of Oregon business has 9 or fewer employees, with the average private employer having just 11 employees on average. This creates a chicken or egg scenario for those looking to relocate to Central Oregon. Do you move then hope to find a job? or, Find a job then move?

Adding to the difficulty of relocation employment is the low rental rates often below 2%. Local employers understand the challenge for affordable and available housing and are often hesitant to interview or hire anyone who has not yet relocated to the area. Exceptions to this are most often found in the high-tech or medical industries where the demand for skilled labor is very high.

For those looking for a job in Bend, Oregon, there are several places to start. You can go directly to the business and see if they have a current opening, or reach out to a staffing firm for assistance.

Top Employment Industries in Bend, Oregon

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Bioscience
• Brewing & Distilling
• Building Products
• High-Tech
• Outdoor Products & Apparel
• Specialty Food Products

Top 20 Employers in Bend

1. St. Charles Health Systems
2. Safeway
3. Sunriver Resort
4. Les Schwab
5. Bright Wood Corporation
6. Mt. Bachelor
7. McDonalds
8. Fred Meyer
9. Bend Memorial Clinic
10. Walmart
11. Northview Hotel Group
12. IBEX
13. Consumer Cellular
14. Opportunity Foundation
15. JELD-WEN Windows and Doors
16. PCC Schlosser
17. Bend Research
18. Black Butte Ranch
19. Deschutes Brewery
20. Costco

Employment Resources in Bend, Oregon

For additional relocation information or to schedule a tour of Bend, please contact us