Bend Chamber Board Approves Support of New Bond Proposed for Bend-La Pine Schools
The Bend Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted January 24 to support the new bond proposed by the Bend-La Pine Schools. The bond is scheduled for the May 16, 2017 general election ballot.
MOVE BEND Coalition Forming - Diverse Partners to Unite on Strategic Transportation Goals
Representatives from non-profits, the business community, government agencies and neighborhood associations met Tuesday to design the framework and 2017 goals of a new Bend-based transportation coalition called MOVE BEND.

What's Brewing Legislative Outlook 2017 recap
The season's first What's Brewing presented by the Bend Chamber kicked off at the Deschutes Brewing Tap Room on January 24. The topic for the sold-out event was Legislative Outlook 2017 and panelists included our local state delegates in Salem; Senator Tim Knopp and Representatives Knute Buehler and Gene Whisnant. They fielded wide range of questions from the audience. The evening's hot button issues included revenue reform, the land-use process, health care and a transportation.
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City Council to Develop Goals and Two Year Work Plan. Give Your Input Now
Over the next couple of months, Bend City Councilors will be formulating goals for the city and a two year work plan.  Now, more than ever, is the time to give input on what you see as the barriers to, or opportunities for, economic growth that can be influenced by Council policy and direction.
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Honor Women in your life at the 2017 Women of the Year Awards!
NOMINATE NOW 

Nominations due before February 10, 2017. Anyone, both members and non-members, may submit a nomination, or any woman may self-nominate. All nominees are reviewed by a panel of judges comprised of business owners, Bend Chamber Board members and community dignitaries.
 
 
Leadership Bend
Now Accepting Applications for the 2017 Leadership Bend Impact Summit
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). Application 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 5pm.

Employment in Central Oregon: December 2016
There was a distinct urban - rural divide in Central Oregon's economy in 2016. The predominately urban Deschutes County anchored by our population centers in Bend and Redmond posted exceptional rates of job growth. A high level of labor demand helped to lower unemployment to historically low levels in Deschutes County.
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Co-chairs Release "No Frills" Budget Proposal
In stark contrast to the Governor's Recommended Budget, which was built on an assumption of $900 million in new and increased taxes, the Legislature's chief budget writers unveiled their budget proposal to the general public late last week. The Legislative budget proposal, authored by Ways and Means Co-chairs Senator Richard Devlin (D-Tualatin) and Representative Nancy Nathanson (D-Eugene), won plaudits from Democrats and Republicans alike for it's realistic approach to the looming budget deficit.
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Public Meeting: 27th Street Sewer Line and Upcoming Traffic Changes
The public is invited to an open house meeting at St. Charles Medical Center at 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, January 30, to discuss important information about the 27th Street Sewer Line project as it progresses from 27th Street, Neff Road and Purcell Boulevard. This phase of the project is scheduled to begin in early February and will alter access to medical facilities, including the hospital's emergency room.
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Six Steps to Start A Business in Bend
Bend is an entrepreneurial hotbed. Each month, Bend entrepreneurs start dozens of new businesses ranging from home-based ventures to large, funded software startups. The one thing Bend entrepreneurs have in common, however, is that they want to get their businesses up and running quickly so they can start doing whatever it is they do-and start making money. Follow this step-by-step guide to make sure you're getting off to a good, and legal, start.
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Bethlehem Inn Beneficiary of Columbia Bank Warm Hearts Drive
Bethlehem Inn announced today that Columbia Bank selected their organization as the recipient of the bank's Warm Hearts Winter Drive. Glenn Kotara, Bethlehem Inn Board President, Gwenn Wysling, Executive Director, and Courtney Gallant, Outreach Coordinator, were presented with a check in the amount of $4,212 along with new, warm clothing and blankets to help keep people warm during the cold winter months.
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Trucking Industry Keeps Economy Moving
If your primary interaction with the trucking industry comes from sharing interstate highways with 18-wheelers, you probably aren't cheering for the industry to grow. But perhaps you should be. The trucking industry is essential to Oregon's economy, and that's not likely to change any time soon.
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Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services Survey
In anticipation of conversations in the coming years about paid family leave or a paid family leave insurance program, the State of Oregon has been collecting data about the types of leave businesses in our state offer. Discussions about paid family leave are on the rise, both in Oregon and nationwide, and some Oregon groups are discussing what a state-run paid family leave insurance program might look like here.
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Free Tax Preparation Sessions at Bend Public Library
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offering free tax preparation sessions for Central Oregonians at the Downtown Bend Public Library. Come to the library to learn more about tax credits and have an IRS-Certified Volunteer prepare your taxes. Taxes are prepared online, using IRS certified software and then electronically transmitted to the IRS. Certified tax volunteers will also be available to answer some your tax questions.
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Graduation Rates Tick Upward for Bend-La Pine Schools
The graduation rate for students in Bend-La Pine Schools continues to outpace the graduation rate of students statewide, according to information released by the Oregon Department of Education today. Bend-La Pine Schools' graduation rate for the Class of 2016 was 77.52 percent, up slightly from the rate of 77.2 last year and 3 percentage points higher than the overall state average graduation rate.
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Nominations for Deschutes Advisory Committee Sought
The Deschutes Provincial Advisory Committee is seeking new members to serve on a committee that advises officials on projects and management issues for the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, Crooked River National Grassland and Prineville Bureau of Land Management.
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OSU-Cascades Holds Open House for Graduate Teaching Program
An open house is slated for individuals interested in pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching degree at Oregon State University - Cascades.  Attendees will have an opportunity to meet with admissions representatives and learn about the program curriculum, application requirements and financial aid.
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Deschutes County Selected for Behavioral Health Pilot Program
Deschutes County has been selected to participate in a two-year federally-funded behavioral health pilot program. The new Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) program is designed to increase coordination of care and other treatment services for individuals with the most serious, complex mental illnesses and addictions.
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Hayden Homes Employees Build Wheelchairs for Vets in Need
In what was part team-building exercise and part philanthropy project, employees of Redmond, Ore.-based Hayden Homes worked together on Veterans Day this past November to build 50 wheelchairs for Northwest veterans facing mobility challenges.
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Renewing Members! 
21-25 years
Zolo Media - KBNZ (CBS) KOHD (ABC)
Tennant Developments
Sign Pro of Central Oregon
RBC Wealth Management
Northwest Self Storage
Northwest Self Storage
Northwest Self Storage
Merrill Lynch
Glas-Weld Systems Inc
Eastside Gardens Inc
BMS Technologies

16-20 Years
Bend Vacation Rentals 
Central Oregon Builders Association
DoubleTree by Hilton
Fox Hollow Apartments
Here & Now
Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza
Skanska
Stahancyk, Kent & Hook PC
The Wallace Group Inc
Weston Technology Solutions
11-15 Years
McMenamins Old St Francis School
NeighborImpact
Sparrow Clubs USA

6-10 Years
Growing Tree Children's Center
Oregon Community Foundation - Central Oregon Office
Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA)
Patrice & Associates Hospitality Recruiting
Phil Henderson Homes & Remodeling
Real Time Research
Vantage Clinical Solutions

1-5 Years
Advanced Machining Services LLC
Bend Design
Bodie Group Inc
Bryan Young Plumbing
Cascade Crest Transitions Inc
Complete Nutrition
Ferguson Fabricaton
Gary Kronmiller
Johns Ranch Inc
Lakeview Redi-Mix Co
LegalShield Business Solutions - Dr. Rachelle Chaikin
Papé Kenworth
Pendleton Country Club
Planker Sandwiches
Quality Interior Works LLC
Rose Machinery Inc dba Complete Millwright Services
The Bend Trolley
Tri County Climate Control
West Bend Property Company LLC
 
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