Business Resources

Local Resources:

City of Bend

The City of Bend requires that all businesses located in, or doing business in, the city hold an active Business Registration.

Depending on your business, you may need additional permits, licenses, or inspections before opening your doors. The City of Bend website has links to some helpful resources to get you started.

Small Business Development Center – Central Oregon Community College

“Are you a business owner or aspiring entrepreneur? Get some practical assistance from COCC’s Small Business Development Center. Take a workshop or request no-cost, confidential business advising. Our mission is to have a positive impact on your Central Oregon business.”

SCORE of Central Oregon, Chapter 701

SCORE is America’s premier source of free and confidential small business advice for entrepreneurs and small businesses. It is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. The Central Oregon SCORE chapter provides small business entrepreneurs free and confidential business counseling services throughout the Central Oregon area.

Deschutes Public Library

Book-A-Librarian – Meet with a professional librarian for one-on-one assistance with your research questions including industry and business research for entrepreneurs, nonprofit grant research, help creating your Business Plan, and other research tools.

Economic Development for Central Oregon

The EDCO site provides the cost of business comparisons, valuable statistics and information about the Central Oregon economy, incentive programs, employment resources, workforce information, and much more. EDCO is geared towards larger businesses or those in targeted industries who are planning on starting or moving their business to Central Oregon. For more information visit EDCO’s 2018 Bend Profile.

Employment and Staffing

Find Bend Chamber members to help with your employment needs, including our local office for  WorkSource – Oregon Employment Department

State of Oregon Employment Department

Get statistical data for our local area including economic data, business and industry profiles, information on training and education, employment and wages by industry, performance measures and more. For additional information, please contact Nicole Ramos, Regional Economist for Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, Klamath and Lake counties. Or contact Kale Donnelly, Workforce Analyst for Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, Hood River, Jefferson, Sherman, Wasco and Wheeler counties.

Opportunity Knocks

Opportunity Knocks (OK) supports collaborative growth in Central Oregon by matching industry and community leaders with a trusted, local, facilitated group of peers who act as peer mentors, or an informal board of advisors. Your OK team provides expertise and insight to help drive your success and enhance the region’s economic and community development.

State Resources:

Business Startup Guide

Checklist to help you through the process of starting a business in Oregon.

Oregon Business Xpress Plan

One stop shop for businesses to write a business plan, determine scope of services, identify business structure, estimate your opening costs, and much more.

National Resources:

Federal Statistics

Easily find statistics from over 100 different Federal agencies.

Bureau of Economic Analysis

Find statistics and research on national, regional and industry-specific economic trends.

US Census Bureau

Find lots of useful information about demographics, as well as business, building, code, and employer data.

US Department of Labor

This site provides access to the vast resources and information available to employers and employees through the Department of Labor.

US Bureau of Labor Statistics - Bend-Redmond MSA

This site provides information for occupational employment and wage statistics for the Bend-Redmond Metropolitan Statistical Area.

US Small Business Administration

The Small Business Administration offers free online courses, business loans and grants, statistics, support and resources for starting and growing a new business. It includes a special section for women or minority owned businesses.

US Patent and Trademark Office

This site provides information on patenting, trademarking or copy-writing anything, and allows users to search patents to ensure that your idea is unique.

Business USA

Explore Business Tools and Resources, including Starting and Growing Your Business, Financing, Regulations, Taxes and Credits, Government Contracting, and more. Click here for more specifics on Business in Oregon.

USA.Gov

This is the United States main government website with links to other government agencies and elected officials, funding options for your business, tax issues, and more.

Specialized Services:

Minority Business Development Agency

This resource helps minority-owned businesses learn how to contract with the Federal government and secure special financing.

National Women’s Business Council

Information for women business owners on mentoring, conferences and education, research and publications, and news.

Interior Business Center

The US Department of the Interior provides a variety of services including Acquisition, Financial Management, Human Resources and Small Business Information.

Federal Trade Commission

This website contains information about mergers, acquisitions, and purchases, as well as consumer information about filing a consumer complaint, reporting identity theft, and more.

National Center for Environmental Research

This website helps businesses in the technological and scientific fields, secure grants to work on environmental research projects.

FDA- Starting a Food Business

Are you starting a business in the food industry? This is a must-read resource for you.

International Resources:

International Trade Administration
The International Trades Administration offers information to companies planning to do international imports or exports.
Export.Gov
This website, developed by international trade experts and economists, provides trusted market intelligence, practical advice and business tools to help U.S. companies expand into multinational markets.
US Commercial Service
This resource assists American businesses in connecting with international business partners in the global market.

The Bend Chamber is actively supported by these Signature Investors

Small Business

ANNUAL INVESTMENT: $425