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■ CASE STUDIES <br />Bend /Deschutes County, OR <br />This relatively remote location originally had a resource -based (timber) economy that transitioned to wood <br />products and then by .the 1.980's lost most of its employment base and witnessed 25 +% unemployment. <br />The community has ultimately thrived because it redeveloped itself, took advantage of its outdoor assets <br />and made itself attractive to the emerging knowledge -based economy. Although it is currently experience- <br />ing higher unemployment it will bounce back. <br />What can be learned from this case study is how a remote community repackaged itself to transition from <br />one economic base to another by capitalizing on its inherent assets and investing in improvements. <br />General Description of Area <br />• Central Oregon Region <br />• 80 miles from interstate <br />• High desert terrain <br />• Deschutes River runs through <br />• Near Mt. Bachelor (major ski area) <br />• Commuter airport 10 miles away <br />• Have local community college <br />Bend /Deschutes County Profile <br />• Population (2006): <br />Bend = 48,200 <br />County = 148,000 <br />• Average annual growth rate: <br />4.5% (U.S. = 1 9/6) <br />• 5 -year growth of 25 -34 year olds: <br />29.0% (U.S. = 0.1 %) <br />• 5 -year growth of 50 -64 year olds: <br />30.7% (U.S. = 19.3 %) <br />• Key drivers of economic growth <br />► Tourism /recreation <br />(skiing /river /trails) <br />► Retirement community <br />► Regional healthcare and retail <br />► Professional services <br />► Financial services <br />► Technology /Aerospace <br />► Entrepreneurial businesses <br />i <br />Deschutes County Population Growth: 1950 - 2000 <br />120,000 _ <br />100,000 <br />80,000 <br />60,000 <br />40,000 <br />20,000 <br />0 <br />1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 <br />Brainerd Lakes Area Development Corporation ■ SWOT Analysis and Action Plan 11 <br />