For many years, Central Oregon was known for its great tourism opportunities, high quality of life, and booming economy—making Deschutes County one of the fastest growing regions in the West. The recent national recession, however, revealed a number of weaknesses in this new economy.
The report analyzes the economic and fiscal challenges facing Deschutes County and provides recommendations to improve economic prospects by reviewing a variety of Central Oregon trends and data, interviewing local business leaders, and comparing Deschutes County to four similar peer counties in the West.
Report, Appendix, Summary Recommendations, and County Profile
- Full Report (2.4MB pdf)
- Report without Appendix (1.5MB pdf)
- Appendix Comparing Deschutes County and Four Peers (869K pdf)
- Report Summary and Recommendations (69K pdf)
- Deschutes County Socioeconomic Profile (490K pdf)
Headwaters Economics completed this report in partnership with Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO), a private non-profit organization dedicated to diversifying Central Oregon’s regional economy by attracting new investment and jobs.