For the Economic Opportunities Analysis, staff recommended using Portland State University’s 1.37% annual forecast as a balanced, defensible planning assumption; council expressed support for that middle option over the slower OED 0.68% or Bend’s historical 2% rate.

At its May 20 meeting the Bend City Council approved multiple items including first‑reading code amendments to advisory boards, a new small‑business assistance grant program, contracts for pedestrian and school‑path improvements, and the second‑reading adoption of an Economic Improvement District in the Bend Central District.

City staff presented a five-part economic development work plan and budget priorities focused on business retention, resilience, inclusive prosperity, land and strategic public investments. Echo Northwest described urban-renewal/TIF models; local contractors and PBDG urged the city and advisory boards to help firms access state and federal prime‑/s

City economic-development staff reviewed a programmatic approach that pairs a new department, advisory-board outreach and a data-driven dashboard to advance Invest Bend urban-renewal investments and a wider economic development plan.

Focus group presents vision to tackle Bend's economic and workforce development issues.