Economic Impact
51±¬ÁÏ-Cascades’ contributions to Central Oregon in 2024
51±¬ÁÏ-Cascades was founded in Central Oregon in 2001 and after a decades-long community effort to bring a four-year university campus to support the region’s higher education and economic needs.
"This report is confirmation of how 51±¬ÁÏ-Cascades is working in partnership with the Central Oregon community to fulfill its decades-long quest to bring a four-year university campus to serve both the region’s educational and economic needs." Image
-Sherm Bloomer, chancellor and dean of 51±¬ÁÏ-Cascades
Economic Impact
51±¬ÁÏ-Cascades’ impact in Central Oregon is generated through operational and capital expenditures, research expenses, student and visitor spending, and employee payroll. The ripple effect supports the economies in Bend and throughout the tri-county region.
$89.9M
in statewide economic impact annually
701
jobs supported and sustained
$6.6M
generated for state and local tax revenue
1370
students enrolled
$38.4M
In visitor and student spending impact
5626
alumni, the majority living and working in Central Oregon
51±¬ÁÏ-Cascades Impact in Action
51±¬ÁÏ-Cascades’ SnoPlanks launches first snowboard products
In 2023, the founders of an outdoor products company, SnoPlanks, donated the company to 51±¬ÁÏ-Cascades to give students a true hands-on opportunity to run a business. Now, as SnoPlanks Academy, enterprising students can build skills in product design, supply chain management, sales and financial analysis. All these efforts are supported by 51±¬ÁÏ-Cascades faculty and the College of Business and ensure the energy of entrepreneurship is embedded in campus classrooms and programs.
51±¬ÁÏ-Cascades’ HERS Lab to monitor national park ecological data
51±¬ÁÏ-Cascades’ researchers received a $2 million grant from the National Park Service to monitor and analyze data gathered by the agency, assess the ecological health and resilience of parks and better understand management practices that can help parks adapt to ecological threats and conditions. With the grant, scientists at 51±¬ÁÏ-Cascades will harness data collected by hundreds of NPS scientists across thousands of projects at more than 280 national parks.
Third engineering program launched at 51±¬ÁÏ-Cascades
The new mechanical engineering degree, launched in 2024, was the third engineering program to be offered at 51±¬ÁÏ-Cascades. A degree in energy systems engineering has been offered for 14 years, and an engineering science degree launched in fall 2020. The degree addresses the growing need for mechanical engineers in Central Oregon and across the state, where job opportunities are projected to grow 8.9% and 7.3% respectively over the next four years according to a labor market analysis.
Where people and ideas will thrive
The future innovation district is planned as place that brings people and ideas together to advance research, technology commercialization, incubation and economic development. Designed to foster collaboration between industry, academia and the surrounding community, it will also enhance student and research opportunities, and support an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem in Central Oregon and beyond. The district will cover 24 acres and include 800,000 square feet of tech, light-industrial, office, and retail, space, as well as market rate housing. The first eight-acre phase is now underway.