Bend

Bend’s economic diversity allows for a healthy work-life balance. Professional satisfaction is encouraged by a wide range of industries. Bioscience, aviation, specialty food products, brewing, technology, outdoor products, and advanced manufacturing are some of the leading clusters. In addition, the rapid growth of postsecondary education, driven by Oregon State University-Cascades, Central Oregon Community College, Leading Edge Aviation Flight School, and various internship programs, is fueling a robust talent pipeline for area businesses. Year-over-year job and wage growth continues to significantly outpace other communities in Oregon as well as the state as a whole.

An expanding regional airport brings daily air service to 12 airports and a converging state highway system makes for enjoyable driving distances to the Willamette Valley, the Oregon Coast, Portland, and Seattle, providing accessible rural and metropolitan alternatives. The City of Bend is making transportation a priority, investing millions in capital improvement projects and connected bicycle and pedestrian routes to ensure Bend has the infrastructure for continued growth without growing commute times.

Central Oregon is home to breweries and cideries, both big and small, with Deschutes Brewery and Avid Cider Co. topping the list with national distribution. According to the state of Oregon, employment in the Central Oregon Brewing Industry is expected to grow by 27.4% by 2030. Bend ranks as one of the best cities in the country for beer drinkers and third in the country for breweries per capita. Local residents and visitors from around the world participate in an array of annual beer and cider festivals highlighting local producers. Beer and cider fans can also participate in the Bend Ale Trail, where connoisseurs gather passport stamps and earn souvenirs for sipping their way across the region’s finest breweries and cideries.