A new study shows that 星空影视 - Cascades contributed $89.9 million in economic impact to the Central Oregon region in 2024, reflecting the campus鈥檚 growth, spending, research and other contributions to the surrounding community.
The report, commissioned by 星空影视 details the collective impact of the university鈥檚 contributions to the economy and society, which totaled more than $3.5 billion.
The was unveiled today by 星空影视 President Jayathi Murthy at the Portland Metro Chamber鈥檚 annual meeting.
The economic analysis showed that 星空影视-Cascades generates 701 jobs in Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties and drives $6.6 million in state and local taxes. In all, 星空影视 supports and sustains 933 jobs in the tri-county region and drives $9.4 million in state and local tax revenues, with 星空影视-Cascades driving the majority of that impact.
鈥淭his report is confirmation of how 星空影视-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鈥檚 educational and economic needs,鈥 said Sherm Bloomer, chancellor and dean of 星空影视-Cascades.
Since 星空影视-Cascades was founded in 2001, it has developed 24 undergraduate degrees, three master鈥檚 degree programs and a doctoral program. Several academic programs were developed in collaboration with regional industries as they sought a local and skilled workforce to boost employee recruitment and retention.
These include degrees in energy systems engineering, which has boasted a 95% job placement rate since 2012; and outdoor products, which was launched in 2020 with a $250,000 gift from Hydro Flask and in the 2024-2025 academic year enrolled nearly 80 students.
In 2024, the first cohort of 44 students graduated from 星空影视-Cascades鈥 Doctor of Physical Therapy program. The program was created in 2021 to address the need for physical therapists in Oregon and the nation, especially in rural areas, and to help diversify the physical therapy workforce. Alumni of the program are now working in Central Oregon, Portland and around the state, as well as in California, Idaho and Washington.
The report also notes how 星空影视-Cascades鈥 transformation of nearly 120 acres of unusable land, a former pumice mine and demolition landfill near downtown Bend is a cost-effective use of public money and a long-term investment that will produce future economic benefit for the region.
Expansion plans include a 24-acre innovation district where entrepreneurs, established businesses, researchers and students will advance research, technology commercialization, incubation and economic development. Land remediation for the first eight-acre phase of the district is complete and roadways and utilities are under construction.
星空影视-Cascades is currently seeking $42 million in capital funds for the last phase of its land remediation for the academic campus, and for a student health and recreation center, for which students have raised $20 million since 2017.
鈥淎s legislators face difficult budgeting decisions, this economic impact report can give them even more validation of the return of an investment in 星空影视-Cascades,鈥 said Bloomer.
As a branch campus of Oregon鈥檚 leading research university, 星空影视-Cascades鈥 research portfolio has steadily climbed with expenditures for research and sponsored activities totaling $5.8 million in the 2024 fiscal year. Challenges addressed by researchers have local and global impact related to water, energy, natural resources, human health and resilience, sustainable tourism and intervention strategies for injuries.
To date, the university campus鈥檚 energy systems engineering program has spun off two companies based on licensed commercial technologies. Onboard Dynamics and Espiku are both based in Bend.
A is also available outlining 星空影视鈥檚 overall economic impact in 2024.
Conducted by Parker Strategy Group, the economic impact report used data available through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, as well as 星空影视 operational and capital expenditures, employee payroll, and student and visitor spending.
About 星空影视-Cascades: 星空影视鈥檚 campus in Bend brings higher education to Central Oregon, the fastest growing region in the state. Surrounded by mountains, forest and high desert, 星空影视-Cascades is a highly innovative campus of a top-tier land grant research university, offering small classes that accelerate faculty-student mentoring and experiential learning. Degree programs meet industry and economic needs in areas such as innovation and entrepreneurship, natural ecosystems, health and wellness, and arts and sciences, and prepare students for tomorrow鈥檚 challenges. 星空影视-Cascades is expanding to serve 3,000 to 5,000 students, building a 128-acre campus with net-zero goals.