Business

Central Oregon Community College contributes $349.2 million in added income to the Central Oregon economy each year and supports 4,136 regional jobs — equivalent to approximately one out of every 41 jobs in the region — according to a new independent economic impact study conducted by Lightcast. The study examined COCC’s economic impact and return […]

The Bend Chamber of Commerce announced that Moda Health will become the primary medical carrier for the Bend Chamber Association Health Plan, continuing an important group health insurance option for eligible employers across Oregon.  Beginning October 1, 2026, Moda Health will provide medical coverage for new enrollments in the Bend Chamber Association Health Plan. The […]

With winter just around the corner, Mt. Bachelor is gearing up to build its team for the 2026/27 season. Job-A-Palooza, Central Oregon’s biggest winter hiring event will take place on Saturday, September 19, at the Deschutes Brewery Tasting Room (901 SW Simpson Ave.) from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Job-A-Palooza is an opportunity for prospective employees to meet Mt. […]

Feed Sisters 2026 is inviting the Sisters community to help fill the shelves of the Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank by donating the foods local families need most. The annual Feed Sisters: Neighbors Feeding Neighbors food drive runs October 4–31, 2026, with an ambitious community goal of collecting 5,000 pounds of nonperishable food. Community members can […]

Heart of Oregon Corps announced today that an anonymous gift of $400,000 has closed the gap in funding needed for construction of Central Oregon’s first youth workforce development campus on 3.4 acres in Redmond, drawing to a close a major 5-year capital campaign for the visionary campus that began in 2021. The landmark Legacy 25 campaign […]

Playful Paws Cat Café is celebrating three years of cats, community and cozy vibes—and more than 450 cat adoptions—with a Parking Lot Pawty on Saturday, September 19, from 10am–2pm. Since opening in August 2023, Playful Paws has partnered with local rescue organization CCREW to help adoptable cats find forever homes. “What started as a pretty […]

Mazama Energy announced $135 million in new capital to accelerate superhot rock geothermal commercial development, including an oversubscribed Series B led by Centaurus Capital, founded by John Arnold, and Doerr Capital. ConocoPhillips and Shell Ventures joined the round, with repeat investment from Khosla Ventures and Gates Frontier. Additional investors include SiteGround Capital, H. Barton Asset […]

Community members, caregivers, patients and families are invited to take a stroll on a new nature path circling St. Charles Prineville. The 1-mile pathway was made possible thanks to a generous donation from Mid Oregon Credit Union to St. Charles Foundation.  “We are excited for the community to come enjoy this new nature path at […]

Central Oregon Civic Action Project (COCAP) has received a $745,000 grant from New Pluralists to bring diverse groups of residents together to address regional policy challenges, such as youth homelessness and government use of AI. COCAP convenes civic assemblies on pressing issues, trains civic leaders, and is building an online deliberative democracy platform to empower […]

Open Arts Center (OAC) is launching The Gallery Sessions: An OAC Music Listening Series, a new six-concert series designed to create a more intimate and intentional way to experience live music in Central Oregon.  Taking place October 2026 through March 2027 in OAC’s Rachel Binah Gallery, The Gallery Sessions will transform the gallery into an […]