Bend named in Top 20 Places to live in the West

     Bend Oregon was named as one of the Top Twenty Places to live in the West by American Cowboy Magazine in its April/May issue. This is the magazine's first annual list of places to live “the Western dream.”
     The selections were based on those areas which support a Western community. The criteria included authentic cowboy culture and charm, a healthy respect for history and heritage, abundant recreational, leisure, and outdoor activities, and a strong sense of community coupled with a free-spirited, rugged independence.
     Some of the other places named to this prestigious list include: Wickenburg, AZ; Cave Creek, AZ; Steamboat Springs, CO; Bozeman, MT; Missoula, MT; Reno, NV; Lawton, OK; Pendleton, OR; and Walla Walla, WA.
     “Whether you’re looking for a new place to settle or the perfect place to vacation, these communities deliver top value in the form of adventure, culture, charm, natural beauty and unspoiled wilderness, and frontier history and tradition,” said Bill Garrels, publisher of American Cowboy.

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NABE Poll Says Fed Wrong to Cut Rates

     In a recent survey by the National Association for Business Economics (NABE), economists said it’s wrong for the Federal Reserve to continue to lower interest rates while there is still a threat for inflation. Those surveyed are also troubled about bailing out investors.
     By cutting interest rates and introducing the economic stimulus package, Federal officials and the government are trying to stop the economy from heading into a recession.  Economists included in the survey cite they are concerned increasing subprime mortgage defaults and other forms of debt could continue to decrease economic growth and possibly increase inflation. 
     “The most frequently cited concerns about lower interest rates are the threat of inflation and the sense that lower rates might ‘bail out investors who should have known better,’” NABE said in a statement.
     Over the last six months, the Fed has cut interest rates five times. Two-thirds of panelists feel short term interest rates will continue to decline over the next six months. Some panelists also feel there will be a cut in rates of 26 to 50 basis points. More than half of those surveyed, 52 percent, said subprime mortgage defaults and excessive household and corporate debt are the greatest short-term risks to the economy.
     The survey also looked at healthcare, trade, immigration, and sovereign wealth funds. The NABE polled 259 of its members between February 1 and February 15.

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Unemployment increases in January 2008

     Central Oregon saw an increase in its unemployment rates from December to January. Deschutes County had the lowest rate at 7.6 percent, Crook County climbed to 9.2 percent, and Jefferson County had the highest rate at 9.8 percent.
     Deschutes County normally sees a slight decline in jobs after the holiday season; however, the figures were slightly higher than expected. The private sector saw the largest job declines with concentrations in retail trade, natural resources, mining and construction, and professional and business services.
     During the month of January, the only area to add jobs was the educational and health services. These areas gained 50 jobs and in comparison to last January increased by 580 jobs.
     Nationally, the unemployment rate for January was 5.4 percent. The average for the State of Oregon was 6.3 percent.

Information provided by Oregon Employment Department

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System Development Charge Hearing

     A public hearing for the implementation of a Transportation System Development Charge (SDC) will take place on Wednesday, May 28 at the regular meeting of the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners.
     Deschutes County is considering implementing the Transportation SDC to generate revenue which would help backfill a loss of over $3 million from the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act (timber receipts). Since 2000, the County has used this money for road improvement projects.
     The proposed SDC will be a fee charged only to new development that generates increased traffic on roads in unincorporated areas of the County. The fee will help pay for road projects that reduce the impacts caused by new development.  (SDC fees are collected at the time building permits are issued).
     For those who wish to comment, but cannot attend the hearing, please send any written comments to:
     Tom Blust, Director
     Deschutes County Road Department
     61150 27^th Street
     Bend, OR 97701
     A report explaining the methodology and calculation of the proposed charge will be available for review by March 28.

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Closure of Franklin Avenue Underpass

     Today (March 6), at 9:00 p.m. the City of Bend Street Stormwater Division will close NW Franklin at the underpass. The area will be closed for six hours to complete stormwater maintenance.
     Signs and barricades will be placed for detours at NW Hill Street and NE 1^st Street. Crews anticipate the underpass to re-open at 2:00 a.m.

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Tire Collection 

     Do you have any tires that need to be recycled? On Saturday, March 8, residents can dispose of their unwanted tires during Knott Landfill Recycling and Transfer Facility’s free collection event. This annual event gives the community the opportunity to dispose of their used tires while cleaning up their property and neighboring areas.
     No tires over 24.5” in wheel diameter will be accepted, however tires can be on or off the rim. Also no farm equipment tires, tires from businesses, or heavy equipment tires will be accepted.
     The recycling event takes place at Knott Landfill, 61050 SE 27th St. in Bend, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, please contact the Solid Waste Office at 317-3163 or visit the Solid Waste Web site at www.co.deschutes.or.us/solidwaste.

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2008 Iditarod and Rachael Scdoris underway 

     The race is underway for the 2008 Iditarod, and all eyes are on Central Oregon’s own Rachael Scdoris who is competing in her third Iditarod.
     If the 1150 miles of extreme conditions isn’t challenging enough, Scdoris is also legally blind. She was born with a rare vision disorder which causes severe near sightedness, far sightedness and colorblindness. As of March 6, Scdoris was ranked 71st in the race standings.
     Scdoris, a role model for people with disabilities, is dedicated to supporting Central Oregon Resources for Independent Living (CORIL) to help other Central Oregonians with disabilities pursue their dreams.
     To support Rachael and those with disabilities, follow the race and visit Scdoris’ Web site, www.GoRachaelGo.com to pledge as little as one cent for every mile of the race.  All donations will benefit CORIL and their pursuit to empower all people with disabilities to develop their full capabilities and potential.
     CORIL’s baseline goal is to raise at least $25,000. CORIL would like to thank KOHD, the Bend Chamber, EDCO, COBA, Bend Radio Group, and Young at Heart for all their support.

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Sponsorships available for Best Buyer’s Market Tabloid

     The Bend Chamber in association with the Central Oregon Builders Association, Central Oregon Association of Realtors, Oregon Association of Mortgage Professionals, and the Tri-county Council of Chambers is promoting the “Best Buyers’ Market in 20 years.”
     Currently, the associations and chambers are working on a tabloid which will be placed in the Redmond Spokesman and Bend Bulletin newspapers. Sponsorships for the tabloid are available for $100 which will help pay for the production of 100,000 copies of the tabloid in the Spokesman and Bulletin and an additional 60,000 overrun copies (which will be distributed equally between the associations and chambers.)
      The Bend Chamber will use its overrun copies in its Relocation Packets as well as having copies available at the Chamber office for distribution.
     Your sponsorship of this important campaign will be noted on the back or inside page of the tabloid and the Chamber will be happy to provide you with additional copies you may use at your businesses. 
     This is an excellent low cost opportunity to get behind promoting our local home builders, realtors and mortgage lenders. The goal is to reduce the current inventory of unsold homes and get buyers who are sitting on the fence to go out and purchase a home. 
     If you are interested in this opportunity please call Mike Schmidt at 382-3221 or mike@bendchamber.org by Monday, March 10.

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