Envision Bend has released a new Vision Action Plan which outlines the next five years to guide the community “into a sustainable and prosperous future.” It’s a culmination of 17 months of input from the community and local organizations.
Envision Bend identifies what they call four “game-changer” initiatives, four “quick wins” and 20 supporting projects.
It says the goal of the action plan is to support the city’s growth in a healthy way, while maintaining its small-town friendliness and quality of life.
RELATED: Bend author’s ‘Good for a Girl’ up for Sports Book of the Year award
RELATED: New luxury RV park going up in SW Bend to have full hookups, pool
Below is the full press release from Envision Bend:
(BEND, Ore.), September 29, 2023 — Envision Bend released today the five-year Vision Action Plan, a series of strategic actions designed to guide the greater Bend area into a sustainable and prosperous future. The 44-page Vision Action Plan can be read and downloaded from the Envision Bend website at envisionbend.org.
“This community plan is truly more than just a document, a vision, or an action plan. It is a living testament and community created roadmap that represents what Bendites and Central Oregonians value, see as strengths, opportunities, have identified as challenges we face today and anticipate in the years ahead.” – Leigh Capozzi, Envision Bend Board of Directors and VP of Marketing and Communications, Protect Our Winters
The Vision Action Plan is for the years 2024-28 and includes a vision statement and a list of core values from community input. The Plan is built around four focus areas: Guiding our Growth; Ensuring a Safe, Healthy Environment; Building an Economy for Everyone; and Cultivating an Inclusive Community. Each focus area features a “game changer” project designed to have a transformative impact on the entire community, a “quick win” project that is more achievable in the next year or two, and five additional strategies.
Among the challenges and issues addressed by the 28 strategic actions: Workforce housing, homelessness, child care, health and wellness, commercial redevelopment, job training, food security, public transit, resiliency, resources conservation, and historic preservation..
The Plan’s release culminates a 17-month community outreach, visioning and planning process. More than 3,500 participants provided input in 2022 to Envision Bend on ways to move the community forward. Four action teams made up of residents with expertise in certain fields and community members-at-large analyzed that input in spring 2023 to develop strategies that tackle community challenges. It was vital that individuals typically not able to participate in planning efforts – such as renters, working parents, individuals living with disability, and other underrepresented groups – were at the table. Envision Bend offered a ‘Needs Stipend’ to those who requested financial support for time away from work, childcare, transportation, or other participation barriers.
Envision Bend is working with public and private organizations identified in the plan to support implementation of the strategies and help bring them to fruition. Envision Bend’s role will pivot to being the stewards of the plan by working alongside the recommended partners to spread awareness, celebrate success, convene organizations, share progress reports, and regularly update the Vision Action Plan.
