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This year has brought a number of interesting changes to business – one of the chief changes being a swift rise in remote work situations as employers have created new options to work from home to enable social distancing and follow state regulations.

Bend is no exception, but the city was already perfectly poised to tackle remote working possibility – in fact, it’s been a specialty of Bend for years. If you’re moving to Bend and interested in remote work, here’s what you should know!

1. Bend Mastered Working from Home Years Ago

In the Bend Bulletin, you’ll find this article from 2017, “Bend is the work-from-home capital of Oregon”. (The article has, understandably, been updated for 2020). The city has always been a friendly spot for freelancers and flexible working positions for people in a variety of industries, many of them working for out-of-state firms in the comfort of their favorite café or at work area at home. Back then, around 9.3 percent of workers in central Oregon worked remotely, higher than any other Oregon city area, and the ratio has grown since then.

2. Working from Home in Bend Can Be Lucrative

The American Community Survey cited in the article we mentioned had another important tidbit, too: Remote workers in the Bend area earned more than those working from home in other areas, 26% more than the median rate. While many of the remote workers in Bend are self-employed, other popular industries include management, finance, tech, science, and engineering.

3. From Oregon to the Rest of the Nation

By 2019, Bend was being cited as the Work from Home Capital of America by Startup.com: The number of remote workers had risen beyond 12 percent, and remote work represented a particular diverse number of industries, regardless of whether they had a physical presence in the city or not.

This was even more notable because the studies now showed that Oregon was also one of the best states in the country for remote work positions, with Medford and Portland also doing particularly well in this area – winning locations nationwide included Austin and Denver as well. But Bend topped them all, making it the most work-from-home-friendly city in the United States (we cover this a bit more here).

4. Working From Home is Good for Bend

We already mentioned that remote work in Bend has helped indirectly diversify the economy, as workers are part of a wide variety of industries, in and out of state, and are bringing revenue from those industries into the city. That’s a healthy economic sign, but there’s another positive benefit to this trend. The work-from-home industries that Bend supports tend to require higher education, which means more professionals with college degrees are setting up personal workspaces in Bend, helping to increase average education levels.

5. Co-Working Space are Also on the Rise

As remote work has become more and more popular, Bend has also become the center of another kind of trend: Co-work areas. While remote working is easier than ever, some projects do require in-person collaborating. Co-working spaces are made to allow coworkers to meet up for a session, set up, and get things done in person…without the need for a permanent desk or workspace location. These flexible solutions could become even more popular in the coming years as the remote work situations started in 2020 continue!

One of the most important parts of moving to a new city is securing employment, often ASAP. If you are looking for work while also moving to Bend, we understand that it can be a little overwhelming. To help out, here is a quick guide on what to know about employment in Bend, and how to make your job search a bit more efficient.

Key Jobs Industries in Bend

If you want to lock down a job right away, it’s a good idea to focus on the key industry in the Bend area. Common options include:

• Retail: Bend has a lot of shops in areas like Downtown or Old Mill, plus centers like Cascade Village or The Forum, and new shops are opening all the time. This can be a great way to find a job fast.
• Hospitality: Bend’s bars, taphouses, and pubs are often looking for extra servers or experienced bartenders (or can refer you to another spot that is looking for workers). It’s also a good idea to check out Bend’s food trucks and restaurants: They tend to look for new workers as well, especially around the changing of the seasons when they lose employees to schools or need to hire new workers to meet new demands.
• Healthcare: Healthcare is one of the largest industries in Bend thanks to St. Charles Medical Center and a variety of smaller centers located throughout the city. This field can be competitive, and required training is very important, but it’s also filled with valuable opportunities.
• Construction: The City of Bend has plenty of construction projects outlined and contracted for the coming years, which should yield a steady amount of work. Private developments also continue to expand and open as available. Construction tends to slow down over winter, but in the warmer months it can be an active and easy way to locate a job fast!

Looking for Bend Jobs Online

We probably don’t need to tell you how to search for Bend jobs online – a basic Google search will bring up dozens of sites you can check out. However, we will call out a few options for being especially helpful at this time:

Google’s own job search: Google’s job search does a surprisingly great job of staying on top of the recent jobs in Bend, favoring new jobs and popular employers to help provide the most value for your search. In contrast, sites like Craigslist aren’t used as much for Bend jobs and may not offer as much value for your time.

Bend Oregon Jobs: It may not be as large as some of the big job board sites, but www.bendoregonjobs.com is nice for searching local niche jobs in Central Oregon. It also provides handy data on the most popular industries, biggest employers, and some tips on how to look for a job in Bend.

Contacting Major Employers

Are you interested in finding work with a specific employer? Some of the biggest employers in the city include:

• St. Charles: We already mentioned they are one of the largest employers in Bend, but you may also want to check out Summit Medical Group.
• Les Schwab Tire Centers: These tire centers also get very busy around seasonable changeovers and may be looking for more help!
• Cascade Bancorp: Financial and banking services offer different types of employment for those with experience in customer service and finance.
• Deschutes Brewery: The famous brewery is also a large employer in Bend, operating both the brewery itself and one of the largest pubs. However, there are plenty of smaller breweries looking for workers if you want to build up your experience!

If you have any other questions or would like help taking some of the pressure of moving to Bend off your hands, we can help with that too.

While Moving to Bend can help you plan on relocating and learning more about why Bend is such a great place to work, we know that serious entrepreneurs are looking for ways to get connected, learn the details, and find great advice about getting started in Bend. Here are the sources you should use ASAP!

1.Bend Chamber of Commerce

The Bend Chamber of Commerce remains a popular starting point for entrepreneurs interested in Bend. The city does an excellent job of keeping the site updated to help out local ventures and provide important economic and funding news. Membership is also a great way to make local connections and find out about local meetings where you can learn much more. Training and education programs are also available through this site.

2.EDCO

EDCO, or Economic Development for Central Oregon, is another incredible portal for those planning to set up a venture in Bend. The organization’s goal is to help incubate promising businesses in Central Oregon, and it’s packed with information about financing, communities, and advice from experts for ventures in all stages of opening a business. There are targeted sections for tech and outdoor industries, two specialties of EDCO, but any business can benefit from checking out the general advice the site has to offer and what upcoming events may be useful.

3.SCORE of Central Oregon

SCORE is an organization designed to bring business leaders together for the specific purpose of helping entrepreneurs and new businesses succeed. The Central Oregon chapter is an excellent resource for those making plans.

SCORE has three primary services. It offers a library of templates and documents you can use to make business plans or proposals and meet government requirements. SCORE also holds workshops that teach topics meant for small business owners (currently somewhat disrupted because of COVID-19, but with consultations still available). Finally, the site lets you arrange for mentoring from Central Oregon leaders who are willing to provide private advice on starting a company in Bend.

4.COCC Small Business Development Center

Central Oregon Community College has a Small Business Development Center that’s entirely focused on helping new ventures start or grow after they launch. There are many hands-on opportunities to learn through workshops, valuable advice, management training and much more. While some services and classes cost money, others are available for free. Moving to Bend also notes that the Center also recently launched a financial initiative designed to help struggling entrepreneurs in Central Oregon get emergency loans. And yes, their services remain open in the era of coronavirus.

5.Opportunity Knocks

Opportunity Knocks is a peer-to-peer service that’s designed to link owners and entrepreneurs with others who have been in the industry longer and have valuable experience to share. It’s a good option for entrepreneurs who need to tackle very specific challenges in their unique industry and would like some advice from others who have been in the same situations.

6.Bonus suggestion: Business Xpress

This is Oregon’s one-stop webpage for business owners learning everything they need to know about doing business in the state. It includes all the links you need for registration, compliance, aid programs, trade shows, training options, employee materials, and much more.

Bend is packed with entrepreneurs and some very helpful incubators for a variety of businesses, so it’s no surprise that the city is the source of many popular products with brands rising in fame (in addition to the already famous beer, of course). If you’re looking for something to take home with you as you start the process to relocate to Bend, give to a friend while moving to Bend, or just try out, these are our top picks!

1. Hydro Flask

Few Bend product companies grew quite as fast or became quite as popular in the 2010s than Hydro Flask. The company produces extra-durable insulated canisters, flasks, and bottles that are made for the roughest outdoor use while still keeping your drink warm or cool throughout the adventure. The rugged design is backed by a double wall “TempShield” vacuum insulation. Their products have a variety of designs for different types of beverages or traveling (including food options). The sheer number of imitators that have arisen in recent years is a testament to their success, but there’s only one Hydro Flask.

2. Ruffwear

No place is better suited for a company that wants to make sure your dog is ready to adventure with you – so it’s no surprise Ruffwear found success in Bend. These are far cries from the sweaters or kerchiefs that other dog owners may use: Ruffwear offers durable, outdoor-ready coats, boots, harnesses, packs, flotation devices, collapsible bowls, and much more to ensure your furry friend can join you no matter what you’re doing (nor how much they like to gnaw on things).

3. Cairn

Subscription boxes have been immensely popular for the past several years, but no one quite does what Cairn does. Headquartered in Bend, the company offers monthly or quarterly boxes specifically filled with outdoor items to test out and enjoy. That includes hammocks, trail snacks, handwarmers, bug spray, stuff packs, gel insoles, lip balm, flashlights, hoodies…pretty much anything you may need to enjoy the outdoors, no matter what you like.

4. Picky Bars

Energy bars can be a tough sell, but Picky Bars hit on a brilliant formula. Their bars are surprisingly delicious, gluten-free, avoid both soy and dairy, and include non-GMO ingredients like oats, chia seeds, goji berries, matcha green tea, ginger, and many other combinations. They’re designed for athletes, but perfect for anyone who wants a snack or wants to stay on a diet without enduring bland or fatty food bars.

5. DANI Naturals

Started by in the 1990s, DANI Naturals focuses on using hands-on techniques and natural ingredients for a variety of cosmetics and health products. Today, their line stretches from skincare to body wash, bath bombs, candles, diffusers, and lots more. Each product is made with organic ingredients, 100% vegetable oil bases, and 100% soy-derived products where possible. It’s a great option for people looking for healthy, paraben-free lotions and soaps, those shopping for vegan friends, or people looking for a new way to pamper themselves.

6. Crater Lake Distillery

If you’d prefer to bring home something a bit (or a lot) more alcoholic, Crater Lake Distillery is one of the most popular in Central Oregon. They offer whiskeys, ryes, gins and vodkas in traditional styles made with Cascade water and carefully purified, but they also have plenty of inventive, tasty variations like sweet ginger vodka, northwest berry, hatch green chili, and hazelnut espresso spirits.