The post REDI Celebrates Opening of Amazon’s New Facility in Redmond, Strengthening Central Oregon’s Logistics Infrastructure appeared first on Cascade Business News.
]]>Redmond Economic Development, Inc., in collaboration with regional partner Economic Development for Central Oregon, joined community leaders, project partners and Amazon representatives on Wednesday, September 16 for a gathering celebrating the grand opening of Amazon’s new facility in Redmond.
The 80,000-square-foot last mile delivery station represents an approximately $25 million private investment in the local community and has created more than 300 regional jobs. The state-of-the-art operation is unique for the region, housing dual distribution and fulfillment services under one roof to accelerate product delivery for local residents and businesses.
Redmond Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) served as the lead economic development entity spearheading the complex, multi-year recruitment effort. From early-stage site selection to navigating infrastructure requirements, REDI worked directly with Amazon, local government officials and community stakeholders to bring the project to fruition.
“Today is about more than opening a new facility, it is an investment in Redmond and Central Oregon as a whole,” said Steve Curley, director of REDI, during a presentation. “From an economic development perspective, projects like this demonstrate something we talk about often: Redmond is a place where companies can grow and get things done.”
Bringing the dual fulfillment and distribution center to reality required significant coordination and technical problem-solving behind the scenes. REDI worked alongside City of Redmond staff, contractors, utility providers, and local irrigation districts to resolve site challenges, which included the full relocation of an irrigation canal.
“Economic development isn’t just about recruiting a company, it’s about bringing the right people to the table, overcoming challenges and turning an initial idea into lasting community investment,” Curley added. “When a company of Amazon’s scale chooses to invest its capital and future in our area, it’s a huge vote of confidence in Redmond.”
The investment also creates a ripple effect across the region, supporting local restaurants, contractors, construction firms, suppliers and other businesses that benefit from the jobs, activity and spending a project of this scale brings to the community.
Local Central Oregon businesses like PNWB Office Products and Square Baby have benefited from the project by expanding distribution, building product awareness and testing new products. Representatives from both companies were on hand to celebrate the facility’s opening.
The facility is now fully operational, reinforcing Redmond’s position as a growing hub for industry, logistics and employment in Central Oregon.
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]]>The post Heart of Oregon Corps Reaches Campaign Goal for New Central Campus in Redmond appeared first on Cascade Business News.
]]>Heart of Oregon Corps announced 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 for Heart of Oregon Corps raised more than $8 million to ensure youth on the workforce track have an inspiring place to learn in support of our regional economy and their own bright futures. In total, more than 420 individuals, businesses and foundations have given to the campaign, which kicked off with a $2 million grant from the State of Oregon.
Community members are invited to join Heart of Oregon in celebrating this major regional accomplishment at the Grand Opening of the campus at 11am on Wednesday, September 30. For Grand Opening details and to RSVP, please visit hoccampus.org. Heart of Oregon Corps will also celebrate at the family-friendly Endless Summer Nights street fair this Saturday, from 3-6:30pm on September 19 at the Bend Park and Float.
The campaign pushed through many challenges including COVID disruptions, complex site partition and purchase, the loss of a potential $1 million appropriation from the federal government in 2025, rising construction costs, and headwinds from an array of economic challenges facing community partners. Despite these barriers, community members rallied together to ensure this powerful resource for youth and our economy was completed on-time, within 2 percent of budget, and without costly debt.
“We couldn’t be more grateful for the ways in which community members have shown up in support of Heart of Oregon, our youth participants, and the future of our programs,” said Laura Handy, executive director of Heart of Oregon. “We set out to build a central campus because our community’s need for a stronger workforce pipeline outpaced our capacity in aging and borrowed facilities—and the community understood this. Thank you to everyone who saw the vision and stepped up alongside us to make it reality, it has been an honor to work together.”
The anonymous donor behind the finish-line campus gift called Heart of Oregon a vital connector between young people and future employers. In its 26 years, Heart of Oregon has hired more than 5,000 youth ages 16-24 across Central Oregon with certifications, GED support, and paid job skills training. Young people apply skills learned in their communities doing land conservation such as wildfire fuels mitigation; building affordable housing with partners such as Habitat for Humanity; earning certifications in childcare; and maintaining beloved outdoor spaces at Smith Rock and other regional landmarks.
Located in central Redmond at HWY 126 & SE 9th St., the new campus will enhance job training and youth services across the region and is uniquely suited to the organization. The 3.4-acre campus includes a new 6,600-square-foot campus center with classrooms; a 14,000-square-foot training warehouse for hands-on workshops and trainings; and six equipment bays totaling 10,000-square-feet for housing large equipment inventory such as wood chippers and trailers. $420,000 of support from Oregon State renewable energy grants and Energy Trust of Oregon incentives equipped the campus with a renewable energy resilient system, including 88 solar panels, 12 EV chargers, and battery storage, that will save the organization an estimated $320,000 in power costs over the life of the equipment.
Heart of Oregon worked closely with BBT Architects, R&H Construction, Compass Commercial, Redpoint Construction Management, and FM Civic. The land was purchased through a special off-market agreement with Opportunity Foundation in 2025. The trauma-informed design of the Campus Center Building features youth-centered elements where young people feel a sense of belonging, camaraderie, and inspired to learn. The newly constructed, solar-powered campus building includes classrooms and offices, confidential meeting spaces, and laundry and shower facilities requested by youth.
“Being born and raised in Redmond, I’ve seen firsthand the impact Heart of Oregon Corps has on young people and our community,” said Leanna Aper, Development Director for Heart of Oregon. “It is incredibly meaningful to see so many funders, businesses, and community partners come together to make this campus possible. Our team is deeply grateful to have a space that will support the important work we do and help prepare young people for their futures for generations to come.”
As Heart of Oregon turns the page on a new chapter, additional funds contributed to the campaign will be dedicated to facility maintenance, fleet EV upgrades, and youth programming in the new space. Those interested in learning more are encouraged to email development@heartoforegon.org or attend the grand opening and ribbon cutting on September 30.
Heart of Oregon is proud to recognize foundation and corporate campus donors at the following levels. Thank you for your support of the Legacy 25 Campaign.
· Legacy Leader ($75,000+): BASX, The Bend Foundation, Collins Foundation, The Ford Family Foundation, Hayden Homes, Joseph & Elizabeth Hoffart Charitable Foundation, JTMF Foundation, Marie Lamfrom Foundation, Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Max & Marie Anna Richter Family Fund of OCF, PGE Foundation, Roundhouse Foundation, Tykeson Family Foundation, and Wells Fargo Foundation.
· Trailblazer & $25K Club ($25,000+): Aperion Management Group, BBT Architects, Clark Foundation, Crevier Foundation, The Darhl and Donald Guinn Family Fund, First Interstate Bank, Les Schwab, Mike’s Fence Center, Pahlisch Homes, R&H Construction, and The Rosendin Foundation
· Gold ($10,000+): Budget Blinds, Clabough Foundation, Compass Commercial, Eddie Williamson Foundation, Healy Foundation, Johnson Brothers Appliances, Mid Oregon Credit Union, Pacific Catalyst, Taylor NW, and US Bank.
· Silver ($5,000+): Autzen Foundation, Bank of America Foundation, Bradford White, Building Solutions, Madras Sanitary Services, Panchura Quas Family Foundation, PCC Structural, Scott’s Roofing, Severson Plumbing & Fire, Sherwin Williams, Sisters Community Foundation, Soar4 Foundation, WaFd Bank, and Woodhill Homes
· Bronze ($2,500+): Bright Wood, Central Oregon Garage Door, Central Willamette Credit Union, Crooked River Sanitary, Deschutes Construction Corp, EC Electric, Mt. Bachelor, Parr Lumber, QXO, Redpoint Construction Management, Skanska, Solaire Homebuilders, SunWest Builders, TDS Telecom, and Technology Design Associates
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]]>The post Playful Paws Cat Café Celebrates Third Birthday and 450 Adoptions appeared first on Cascade Business News.
]]>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 big leap of faith has turned into something I’m incredibly proud of,” said April Ferguson, owner of Playful Paws Cat Café. “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us—and especially to the people who have opened their homes to our cats.”
The free Parking Lot Pawty will feature:
For more information about the celebration, cat lounge visits or adoptable cats, visit www.playfulpawscatcafe.com or follow @playfulpawscatcafe on Facebook and Instagram.
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]]>The post St. Charles Offers Groundbreaking Pancreatic Cancer Medication appeared first on Cascade Business News.
]]>Patients at St. Charles Cancer Institute are receiving a ‘game changing’ medication found to double life expectancy for patients with stage 4 metastatic pancreatic cancer. Seven patients with St. Charles began receiving the medication daraxonrasib earlier this month, through expanded access that allows access to prescription drugs prior to approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The medication was approved by the FDA August 26. While this medication is not a cure, it offers meaningful extension of life expectancy (up from 6 months to 13 months), according to early research.
“This is the first time in many years that we have a completely new treatment that really makes a noticeable difference in how long those patients live,” said Dr. Christina Fitzmaurice, medical director for research at St. Charles Cancer Institute. “Especially with metastatic pancreatic cancer, we run out of treatment options pretty quickly. The only thing we can offer is hospice. This medication can extend life by an extra year, which is pretty meaningful.”
La Pine resident John Johnson, 78, is one of the patients to begin the medication through this program. He had pancreatic cancer for more than a year and had run out of treatment options.
“I was on the tail end. This drug coming out, it was like a new breath of life. We will see how long I last — a year, maybe two,” said Johnson. He wants to spend that time with his wife Barb, working in his shop and enjoying his garden. “All you’ve got to do is keep your chin up and not sit in a chair too much.”
St. Charles Cancer Institute was able to secure early access to this medication prior to FDA approval thanks to the dedication of caregivers across departments working behind the scenes for months. Clinical researcher Kat Brookhart says the effort is more than worth it.
“I love getting to be a part of something this meaningful, which is so important to patients and their families to get precious extra time.”
Dr. Linyee Chang, executive medical director for St. Charles Cancer Institute, said teams are dedicated to pursuing expanded access to medications like daraxonrasib.
“We want patients in Central Oregon to have access to emerging treatments and medications that can make a powerful difference in their lives. This is an exciting moment to celebrate and also representative of the kind of work our teams are doing behind the scenes every day to serve our patients,” said Chang.
About St. Charles Health System:
St. Charles Health System, Inc., headquartered in Bend, owns and operates hospital campuses in Bend, Madras, Prineville and Redmond along with primary and specialty care clinics throughout the Central Oregon region. St. Charles is a private, nonprofit Oregon corporation and is the largest employer in Central Oregon with more than 5,600 caregivers. We proudly partner with our local medical community to provide a wide variety of health services.
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]]>The post Trading Post Collectors Card Shop Pops Up at Discovery Corner September 16-27 appeared first on Cascade Business News.
]]>Trading Post will feature a wide variety of collectible cards, including baseball, football, basketball and Pokémon, with singles, packs and boxes available for purchase. Visitors can also buy, sell and trade cards while connecting with fellow collectors during a full schedule of themed trading nights, casual play and special events.
The idea for the pop-up came from Discovery West resident Ken Natoli, whose family has enjoyed collecting and trading cards for years. “Card collecting has always been a favorite pastime of mine, and more recently, it’s become something my kids really enjoy too,” said Natoli. “Kids are always looking for an opportunity to trade cards, and we thought, why not expand on that and invite the broader community to join in? I’m hoping kids make it a daily stop-in after school!”
Discovery Corner is the central hub of the Discovery West neighborhood, west of NorthWest Crossing, and the locale for several recent events, food and retail pop-ups. “We love using Discovery Corner as a place to bring people together and introduce something new to the neighborhood,” said Valerie Yost, Director of Marketing for Discovery West. “Trading Post is a fun, interactive concept that appeals to serious collectors, kids just discovering the hobby and everyone in between. We’re excited to welcome the community to trade, play and connect.”
Trading Post will be located at Discovery Corner, 1123 NW Ochoa Drive, suite 100 in Bend. The pop-up kicked off Wednesday, September 16, with a Grand Opening and Pokémon Trading Night.
General hours are Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2-7 pm, Fridays from 2-8pm, Saturdays from 10am–8pm and Sundays from 2-6pm.
Other highlights during the two-week run include:
The Trading Post pop-up is part of Discovery West’s ongoing effort to make Discovery Corner a lively neighborhood gathering place through local businesses, events, food, music and rotating experiences.
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]]>The post Central Oregon Civic Action Project Receives $745,000 from New Pluralists to Expand Cross-Class Civic Participation appeared first on Cascade Business News.
]]>COCAP convenes civic assemblies on pressing issues, trains civic leaders, and is building an online deliberative democracy platform to empower rural and remote residents.
Central Oregon encompasses 8,000 square miles of tribal, rural, and urban communities where differences in income, housing access, and geography can affect who participates in civic life and whose views are represented. COCAP uses a randomized selection process and deliberative tools to convene representative assemblies reflecting regional demographics.
Participants study an issue, hear different perspectives, consider possible solutions, and collaborate to develop recommendations for local leaders who promise to consider them.
COCAP’s first citizen assembly on youth homelessness in 2024 produced recommendations prioritized by the city council, county commission, and school district. Its next assembly, scheduled for December, will examine the impacts of artificial intelligence and its use by local governments.
“At a time when people increasingly distrust one another, and the institutions meant to serve them, civic assemblies create space for residents to listen, learn, and make decisions together,” said Josh Burgess, executive director of Central Oregon Civic Action Project. “This funding will help us give citizens a voice in decisions affecting their communities and will strengthen trust, belonging, and civic participation across Central Oregon.”
The three-year grant is part of the New Pluralists Breakthrough Fund, a $5 million investment in seven projects working to bridge class divides across the United States. The fund supports local efforts that bring people from different economic and educational backgrounds together to solve shared problems. Each project demonstrates how cooperation across class lines can help communities address challenges affecting residents’ daily lives.
“New Pluralists is honored to support and learn from the Central Oregon Civic Action Project,” said Liz Vogel, executive director of New Pluralists. “COCAP is giving Central Oregonians from different backgrounds a practical way to share in decision-making and help address critical local issues that other communities across the country are also facing.”
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]]>The post Amazon Showcases New Redmond Facility, DUG2 appeared first on Cascade Business News.
]]>Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch, Deschutes County Commissioner Tony DeBone and Redmond city officials joined Amazon representatives for an opening celebration and behind-the-scenes tour of the facility on Tuesday, September 15.
The event also showcased Central Oregon small businesses that sell through Amazon, including Square Baby and Pacific Northwest Best.
In conjunction with the opening, Amazon donated $10,000 to Heart of Oregon Corps’ Food Heroes Program. The program addresses food insecurity in Central Oregon while providing local young people with opportunities to participate in hunger-relief efforts and workforce development.
The new Redmond facility is part of Amazon’s broader expansion of faster Prime delivery service to more than 6,000 smaller cities, towns and rural communities across the U.S.
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]]>The post Nashwood Gallery Helps Transform The 2nd Street Maker’s District Art Scene appeared first on Cascade Business News.
]]>A woodworking wonderland and eclectic art showroom awaits Bendites at longtime local artist Will Nash’s Nashwood Gallery, which represents nearly a dozen talented Central Oregon artists from painters, photographers and sculptors, to jewelry designers, furniture makers and potters.
Located at 1385 NE 2nd St. just off Olney St. behind the Black Bear Diner and the Waypoint Hotel in the Maker’s District, Nashwood Gallery just opened up earlier this spring. It’s centrally located in a blossoming cluster of creativity as more art studios begin to populate the neighborhood and current street roadwork finishes up to allow for easier access and visibility.
“We’re changing the tone of Second Street,” Nash tells Cascade A&E. “This whole industrial area is beginning to flip into a more creative zone. Some cafes are popping up. The studio over here that is Camp Clay, they’ve been around for about a year. I’ve been here for seven but the actual gallery just started in March. I’ve literally been in the building for 12 years and I’ve rented this space out to tenants as a leather shop, as a bio lab, and all these different things.”
In addition to the fine art showroom now available for public viewing, the bustling compound also contains a number of side rooms and a functioning warehouse studio packed with an impressive array of rare woods and commercial woodworking equipment including a CNC machine, wide-belt overhead sander, resaw band saw, and a collection of antique planes, chisels, and vintage hand tools. Amid the many in-progress projects scattered around the primary space, visitors might even see a legless, lidless 19th-century Vose & Sons piano hanging from a winch being modified into a magnificent art piece for all to admire its musical craftsmanship!
Nash was formerly associated with the Red Chair Gallery, the downtown art co-op first opened back in 2010 that sadly closed its doors in January of 2026. Now he’s one of the foundational art destinations on Second St. which hopes to become an artistic hub for residents and visitors alike.
“Now we’re spilling out here too with this sculpture garden,” pointing to a pair of minimalist steel sculptures installed outside the gallery from international artist Miguel Edwards. “And you see construction down here? It won’t be like this forever. But it’s put a damper on things with the big ‘Road Closed’ sign. That doesn’t help encourage people to come by. By and large, for most galleries that are off the beaten path, First Friday is the one driver to get people to come out and see the art and know that we’re here. I’m screaming from the rooftops. All the work is great quality and we just want people to come visit and hopefully become patrons.”
With economic uncertainty on the horizon, Nash admits that it’s a difficult time for any art galleries to get folks in to buy art, but they’re committed for the long haul. Among the current roster of artists on display are Will Nash, Eleanor Murphey, Karl Lundy, Doris Nash, David Kinker, Sue Lyon-Manley, Ross Mercer and Sabrina Vinciguerra-Miller,
“This is The Portal,” Nash notes, standing beside an 8-foot-tall Big Leaf Maple monolith. “I found it out east at a mill. And it was the only piece of that tree that was more or less intact. It was a great example of the crossroads of beauty and decay. I was going to keep as much of the decay as I could, so I poured in a lot of Minwax Wood Hardener. It’s basically like stone now. I did some supports to hold weak sections together. This has been a really fun piece. I made it for an art show a couple years ago, and it’s always needed a home. So I put it in here, and I love it.”
Nashwood Gallery is situated at 1385 NE Second St. Studio hours are daily from 1-3pm, with the main gallery open from 11am-4pm. Wednesday-Saturday, and extended hours every First Friday from 11am-8pm. For questions or more info, please call 541-788-0314.
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]]>The post COCC Hosts October JobFest Across All Campuses appeared first on Cascade Business News.
]]>With more than 40 local companies and agencies participating, Central Oregon Community College is staging JobFest events for career-seekers at its Bend (October 1, 10am-1pm), Redmond (October 6, 10am-1pm), Madras (October 14, 10am-1pm) and Prineville (October 21, 10am-12pm) campuses in October. These events are free and open to the public; no registration is required.
Attendees can learn about employment, internship and volunteer opportunities while determining the types of skills and experiences required for those positions.
Employers from a wide range of industries will be on site, in fields such as health care, business, technology, education, public service, trades and more. Visit cocc.edu/jobfest for details and a list of participating employers.
Additionally, COCC’s advising and career services will be hosting drop-in resume workshops at its campuses, staged in computer labs (or participants can bring their own device): Bend on September 28, Redmond on September 29, Madras and Prineville on October 7.
For more information on Jobfest and resume-building, contact COCC’s advising and career services at 541-383-7200 or advising@cocc.edu.
In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because of a physical or mobility disability should contact campus services at 541-383-7775. For accommodation because of other disability such as hearing impairment, contact student accessibility services at sas@cocc.edu or 541-383-7583.
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]]>The post Stroke Awareness Oregon Hosts Community Field Day appeared first on Cascade Business News.
]]>This free, wheelchair-accessible event is designed for all ages and abilities and features chair volleyball, adaptive chair yoga, adaptive golf, adaptive bike demonstrations, cornhole and yard games, raffle prizes, community vendor booths, and educational talks. Food will be provided.
Community Field Day supports Stroke Awareness Oregon’s mission to move, play, and connect stroke survivors, caregivers, and the broader Central Oregon community through inclusive recreation and education. The event is sponsored by Whispering Winds Retirement, OSU Cascades, and St. Charles Health System.
For more information, contact cdreps@strokeawarenessoregon.org, call 541-323-5641, or visit strokeawarenessoregon.org.
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