Economic Development Division

Our primary purpose is to support and enhance the local economy by creating a business-friendly environment and addressing the needs of the business community. We aim to:

• Advocate: Provide input into city policies and procedures from a private sector perspective.
• Facilitate: Connect and support entrepreneurial efforts within the community.
• Market: Promote Bend as an attractive location for businesses.
• Coordinate: Oversee and organize city resources dedicated to economic development.

Initiatives

Invest Bend

The Invest Bend Campaign is a one-year strategic planning effort that will develop the economic development and urban renewal policies for the City of Bend and Bend Urban Renewal Agency for the next five years.

The 2025 State of Housing and State of Economy Reports

These reports are published in support of the Bend City Council’s goals to advance housing production and economic prosperity based on community needs, while aligning with state and regional plans. Together, these reports provide a comprehensive overview of Bend’s housing market and economic landscape, offering critical data to support the development of affordable and middle-income housing units, as well as business and wage growth strategies. These reports, along with the Industry Cluster Analysis, will inform the overall development of the City’s economic development strategic plan and the Bend Urban Renewal Agencies investment strategy.

Economic Development Staff are committed to helping businesses in our city. We have put together a comprehensive Doing Business in Bend page. Here, you’ll find essential information and resources you need to start, grow, and manage your business. Whether you’re looking to apply for a business registration, apply for a specialty license for your business, or find support for your business needs, we’ve got you covered. Explore links to important resources for business development, including grants and workforce support. Learn more and take advantage of the many opportunities available to businesses in Bend:

Looking to build or invest in Bend? Bend, Oregon, is a rapidly growing city with over 100,000 residents, known for its year-round outdoor activities. The city has invested heavily in infrastructure, including a $275 million improvement plan from 2019 to 2024, and is updating its growth plan to guide future development. Bend is served by Redmond Municipal Airport, offering direct flights to 13 destinations.

Tourism plays a vital role in Bend’s economy. Visitors staying in hotels, vacation rentals, or other short-term lodgings pay a 10.4% room tax. This tax supports essential services like police, fire, and road maintenance, with 64.6% of the revenue going to the City’s General Fund. The rest is dedicated to promoting tourism and enhancing facilities, such as marketing efforts and a conference center.

The Bend Urban Renewal Agency is the city’s official organization for redevelopment. Created by the Bend City Council and backed by state law, this agency focuses on redeveloping specific investment areas, known as tax increment finance areas, following development plans. They further offer various development incentives that can be enjoyed by the development community.

The Bend Economic Development Advisory Board helps guide the city’s Economic Development Staff by offering advice and perspectives from the business community. This 14-member board, created by the City Council, includes nine industry representatives serving three-year terms and four staff members from city economic development partners. They focus on business development and economic growth in Bend.