The Bend Chamber of Commerce submitted a letter of support to the Bend Economic Development Advisory Board (BEDAB) for priorities they identified as input to City Council as they develop their goals through 2019. Presentations for the City Council Goal Setting process will take place Friday, February 17 from 3-5 p.m. at City Hall, including input from the Bend Chamber.

In the shadow of President Trump's travel ban challenge in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, Bend citizens gathered at the Deschutes Brewery Tap Room for Bend Chamber's What's Brewing. The topic of the evening was appropriately, Immigration and Our Central Oregon Economy and panelists included Brad Porterfield from the Latino Community Association; Preston Callicott, CEO of Five Talent Software; and immigration attorney Dan Larsson.

The 2017 legislature will be driven by desire to balance a state budget that is in a $1.8 billion deficit as well as pass a major transportation funding package. The focus of the legislative leadership on these two major issues may have the effect of curbing the flurry of anti-business bills that has become the norm in the Oregon legislature.

Oregon's legislature is required by law to adopt a balanced two year budget. It is no easy feat and requires difficult trade-offs between competing programs and services. Here's is your opportunity to tell the Legislature what really matters to you.

Bend Park and Recreation District is planning the next 10 years of parks and trails in Bend, and is asking for help from the community. This important project will be the roadmap for the next 10 years of new parks, extended trails and new places to workout, play and socialize in Bend.

As part of the ongoing construction of the 27th Street Sewer Line, night work is scheduled to begin February 12 at the intersection of Medical Center Drive and Neff Road. This will affect the primary access to St. Charles Bend and other medical facilities for three or four weeks.

Leadership Bend, a nine-month program of the Bend Chamber, is once again elevating the vital role of nonprofit organizations in Central Oregon through the 2017 Leadership Bend Impact Summit (LBIS). Applications can now be submitted by eligible non-profit organizations for the opportunity to be awarded a $10,000 cash prize. The deadline for submissions is February 17, 2017, no later than 5 p.m.