Oregon’s small businesses are the backbone of the state and local economy. According to a report from the City of Bend, in 2024 the retail sector generated approximately $928 million in gross domestic product, which was 8% of the total economy. The report also found that consumer spending at brick-and-mortar stores in Bend has been slowly declining, down 8% in 2024 from July 2023 and […]
Small Businesses Rely on Holiday Sales
Posted inLocal News
Homegrown Hustle
There’s “shop local,” and then there’s really shop local. Like, handmade jewelry glittering in the display case of a Redmond boutique that was crafted a few blocks away on someone’s kitchen table. Or a cinnamon roll from a home bakery that smells like someone’s Sunday morning, because it literally came from their home oven. This season, as […]
Posted inLocal News
Founder of DAWN’s House Sentenced to 42 Months in Prison for Embezzling
Deschutes County Circuit Court Judge Wells Ashby sentenced Dawn Holland, of Bend, Oregon, to 42 months in prison for embezzling funds from the nonprofit she founded, DAWN’s House. Holland will also serve 36 months of post-prison supervision following her release. DAWNS House was founded in 2014 as a residential placement for women battling addiction, providing […]
Posted inOpinion
As the Battles Over Public Funds Commence, We Need an Equitable Process
With the end of the federal government shutdown, the roughly 757,000 people in Oregon who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits could breathe a sigh of relief. Food would be on the table as winter sets in. There might even be enough to give thanks at Thanksgiving. But that relief is temporary. The federal government […]
Posted inLocal News
Flex Plaza Proposed for Small Events
The Bend City Council is working on a plan to revamp the North Mirror Pond parking lot downtown, between The Commons and Watershed Coffee, into a flex space that can double as an event venue. “It’s got non-standard parking spaces in it right now. It needs to be redone. So this was actually an opportunity to use some of these tourism dollars to get a win-win, by upgrading the […]
Posted inBusiness News
Woodside Health Acquires Medical Outpatient Building in Bend
Woodside Health is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Pinnacle Medical Outpatient Building, a two-story medical building located at 2450 NE Mary Rose Place in Bend, Oregon. This marks the firm’s first investment in the state, further expanding its national footprint. Built in 2007, the 37,486 square foot property sits on 3.8 acres and […]
Posted inBusiness News
State Sen. Anthony Broadman Selected as One of the Nation’s Outstanding Rising Leaders
Oregon State Senator Anthony Broadman was one of 25 leaders to join the NewDEAL (Developing Exceptional American Leaders), a selective national network of Democratic state and local elected officials with more than 200 members across the country. Members of the network have been chosen from more than 2,200 nominations over NewDEAL’s 15 years. Over the […]
Posted inBusiness News
Redmond Fire & Rescue Partners with Kiwanis Club of Redmond for Food Drive
Redmond Fire & Rescue is proud to announce its partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Redmond for this year’s Food Drive. This community initiative aims to provide essential food items to local families in need during the holiday season. The food drive will run from November throughDecember 31, with the collection point at Redmond Fire & […]
Posted inBusiness News
First Interstate Bank Launches 100-Day Celebration
First Interstate Bank and the First Interstate BancSystem Foundation are launching a 100-day celebration on National Philanthropy Day, marking the start of a countdown to a historic milestone: $100 million in total giving since the Foundation’s inception in 1990. “This milestone is more than a number,” said Amberly Pahut, Director of Community Responsibility and the […]
Posted inBusiness News
BEAM is Asking for Help to Secure an $8,000 Matching Grant
BEAM, a Bend-based nonprofit helping children with disabilities and complex behavioral needs build emotional and academic skills, is calling on the community to rally behind its mission. The organization is just $10,000 away from unlocking a matching grant that will keep its life-changing program in operation. What began as a small after-school initiative has grown […]