EDCO News and Updates

For decades, Owens Corning ranked among the top five employers in Crook County. When the company announced it would exit in 2025, 184 living wage jobs were suddenly at risk. This represented not only individual workers, but families and long-standing community stability. In rural Oregon, when a facility of this scale closes, the outcome is often long-term vacancy, loss of workforce and lasting economic decline. In response, Economic Development for Central Oregon, as a key partner in the Central Oregon Business Response Network, helped rapidly mobilize a coordinated effort to support impacted workers.

EDCO is pleased to announce the hiring of Wendy Morgan as its new Venture Catalyst Director, a key role that leads the organization’s Start initiative and advances entrepreneurship as a driver of economic growth across the region.

EDCO has received a $50,000 grant from the Meta Data Center Community Action Grants Program – Prineville Data Center to support Crook & Jefferson Innovate, a project to strengthen rural entrepreneurship and expand economic opportunities in Central Oregon.

ASI Business Group is a Bend-headquartered supplier of marketing products to hospitals across the United States. Led by President and CEO Jeff Olsen, ASI has been in business for more than 50 years and operates with a business model centered on meeting customer specifications and business needs.

Bivvi Camp, based in Sisters, Oregon, designs and builds high-quality mobile cabins designed to connect people with the outdoors. Guided by craftsmanship, sustainability and usability, Bivvi’s hand-built structures provide year-round shelter with minimal environmental impact. During its growth, Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) has played a key role in strengthening Bivvi Camp’s business foundation and expanding its strategic connections.

The Bend-Redmond metropolitan statistical area (MSA) has again been recognized for strong economic performance, ranking fourth for small cities for the second consecutive year in the Milken Institute’s 2026 Best-Performing Cities report. This marks a two-place improvement since 2024, and Bend-Redmond has remained in Tier 1 and among the nation’s top-performing small city MSAs for 10 consecutive years.

EDCO is pleased to announce the hiring of Rita Hansen as Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a key leadership position dedicated to advancing Central Oregon’s innovation-driven startup ecosystem.

As EquipmentShare expanded across Oregon, it identified Central Oregon as a key market to meet rising customer demand. With support from REDI, a local office of EDCO, EquipmentShare recently opened a new Redmond branch in the former TEC Equipment building and became operational ahead of schedule.

When Cv International, Inc. (Cvi) began exploring options for its next phase of growth, the company knew it needed a location that could support expanded production, consolidated operations and a long-term vision for innovation. After more than a decade in Bend, the advanced manufacturer has invested in a new facility in Prineville’s Tom McCall Industrial Park, an expansion made possible with the support of Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) and regional partners.

Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) today announced that local guitar manufacturer Breedlove Guitars will donate 75 guitars to middle and high schools throughout the Bend-La Pine School District.

Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) is pleased to announce the winners and companies receiving investment at the 2025 Bend Venture Conference (BVC), which took place October 16–17 at the Tower Theatre in downtown Bend.

Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) is pleased to announce the five Growth Stage finalists who will compete at the 2025 Bend Venture Conference (BVC), taking place October 16–17 at the Tower Theatre in downtown Bend.

EDCO Announces Five Early Stage Finalists for the 2025 Bend Venture Conference. Toast Wear, Inc. Wins PubTalk Audience Favorite Award, Taking Home $3,000.

Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) today announced the 10 semifinalist companies selected to advance in the Early Stage competition for the 22nd Annual Bend Venture Conference (BVC), taking place at the Tower Theatre in Bend on Thursday, October 16 and Friday, October 17, 2025.

Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) is excited to announce the eight semifinalist companies advancing in the Growth Stage track for the 22nd annual Bend Venture Conference (BVC), taking place in downtown Bend, Oregon Thursday, October 16 – Friday, October 17, 2025.

Applications are now open for companies looking to compete in the 2025 Bend Venture Conference (BVC). The event will take place on October 16–17, 2025, in downtown Bend, Oregon, bringing together top startups, investors and business leaders for two days of live pitches, networking and learning. Presented by Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO), BVC is the Pacific Northwest’s longest-running angel investment conference, serving as a powerful platform for Early and Growth Stage companies seeking investment and exposure.

EDCO is excited to announce that the City of Madras has received approval to add a 196-acre site into the Madras Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) for future industrial use. The approval, which was granted by the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development, enhances Madras’ potential for economic growth.

With the record-breaking 2024 wildfire season in Oregon officially ending in late October, it may seem like it’s too soon to talk about wildfires again, but May is National Wildfire Awareness Month – a perfect moment to think about this critical issue. Now is the time to look to the future and talk about the pragmatic policy changes the state needs to adapt to the new reality.

EDCO is pleased to announce that Amazon has selected Redmond as the site of its newest delivery station. The company plans to invest in the region by opening an 83,559-square-foot facility at East Antler Avenue and Northeast Ninth Street, further enhancing its distribution capabilities across Central Oregon.

Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) is pleased to announce the 2025 Central Oregon Largest Employers List, including breakouts of the top employers in each Central Oregon community. This data, collected by EDCO annually for the past 24 years, is the most comprehensive major employer list in Central Oregon.

Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) is pleased to announce the re-engagement of Central Oregon Business Response Network (COBRN). This strategic initiative of EDCO, Central Oregon Community College (COCC) and East Cascades Works aims to enhance collaboration among workforce development entities, economic development organizations and the business community to address evolving labor market needs in Central Oregon.

With the 2025 Oregon legislative session underway, we are monitoring bills that impact, either positively or negatively, economic and business development. Our team has compiled a comprehensive outline that identifies the priorities and initiatives that could impact our ability to achieve our mission.

Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) is excited to announce the hiring of Ellen Wayte as the new Director of Marketing and Communications, effective January 13, 2025.

The Milken Institute’s Best Performing Cities report assesses 403 metropolitan areas across key economic indicators, including job growth, wage growth, high-tech GDP growth, and community resilience. The Bend-Redmond MSA continues to stand out in multiple categories, solidifying its status as a top choice for economic growth and innovation.