SISTERS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - Reed Brosreedbros.com/files/documents/RelocationGuide.pdf · the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce or visit our web sites and schedule a visit. Sisters

A great place to live.A great place to grow your business.

SISTERS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE866.549.0252 www.SistersCountry.com 541.549.0251

Kate Thomas Keown

“Sisters is where the Old West and New West meet. We’ve got fourth-generation ranching families living next to high tech executives. We’ve got as many artists per capita as Santa Fe, and enough moderately priced housing to accommodate them. We’ve got horse breeders just down the road from golf resorts. Somehow, it all works, the hippies and the cattlemen, the hunters and hikers, the fl yfishers and kayakers, the entrepreneurs and shopkeepers. It’s a remarkable, dynamic place. Come and see for yourself!”

Eileen Stein, City Manager

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Sisters, the ultimate live-work spaceIf you’re looking for a great place to grow your business, you’ve come to the right place. It’s a

vibrant community filled with people committed to raising healthy families. Sisters has one of the best-performing school districts in the state. We’re a town with the necessary ingredients to grow your business, but we haven’t lost our home town feel. Sisters is a quietly emerging economic center for small and mid-sized companies in a broad range of business sectors.

Technology Recreation and Resorts Retail Nutritional Products Cosmetics Specialty Manufacturing Home Design & Construction Interior Design Hospitality Automotive Woodworking Health & Wellness Products and Services Natural Resource Use and Development Professional Services

Sisters, Oregon is best known for the 1.6 million acres of national forest, 200 lakes, 10,000 foot Cascade Mountain peaks and 500 miles of clear, fast-running trout streams that grace our Central Oregon surroundings.

See for yourself, and do it now. Get started by looking over this relocation guide. Then contact the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce or visit our web sites and schedule a visit. Sisters won’t be one of the West’s best-kept secrets for long.

Just let us know how we can help.

Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce 541.549.0251 www.SistersCountry.comCity of Sisters 541.549.6022 www.ci.sisters.or.usSisters Oregon Guide 541.549.9941 www.sistersoregonguide.comEconomic Development for Central Oregon 541.388.3236 www.edcoinfo.org

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ContentsLifestyle 5

Location & Climate 6Recreation 7

CommunityOld Meets New West in Sisters 9Sisters Calendar of Events 9Library 10Civic Clubs/Churches 10Arts & Entertainment 10Dining & Lodging 11Media 11Crime Considerations 11Healthcare 11Sisters School District 12SPRD 13Housing 14Access 15Deschutes County 16Health Care 16Higher Education 17

Support for New & Local BusinessDoing Business in Sisters 18Sisters Incentive Programs 19Taxes, Fees & Charges 20What Makes Sisters Best in the West 23Contacts/Additional Resources 24

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Lifestyle: Sisters borders the Deschutes National Forest in the high desert of Central Oregon.

Wilderness areas, ski resorts, whitewater rivers, premier vacation resorts, golf courses, and one of the largest expo centers are all within a 30-mile radius.

Sisters is equidistant from Bend, Central Oregon’ largest city and Redmond, the airport hub. Major retailers, theaters, and a top-ranked medical facility are located in Bend, a 25 minute drive. Roberts Field in Redmond is the commercial service airport for Central Oregon and also serves air cargo and general aviation. Redmond Municipal Airport is served by four air carriers; Delta Airlines, Horizon Air, United and United Express with daily direct flights to Denver, Portland, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and Seattle.

Most visit Sisters and never know there is much more to it than a resort town with terrific art, shops, outdoor activities, and food. But, it’s also a great place to do business. It’s a place for innovators. An entrepreneurial streak runs strong in the community; many of those who migrate to Sisters bring their jobs with them or create their own employment once here. Sisters Country has true pioneering spirit.

Platted in 1901, Sisters is a town of 2,038 with an additional 10,000 residents living within a ten-mile radius. There are lovely in-town parks and campgrounds, including the centrally located Village Green Park, headquarters for the Sisters Folk Festival and Sisters Summer Faires. There is a bustling downtown populated with coffeehouses, book stores and other small businesses.

Sisters is a place that is planning for managed growth. Oregon’s land use laws congregate development around existing town centers, a model copied throughout the country. This system allows development within Sisters’ boundaries to happen in an orderly fashion while open space and scenic views are preserved.

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Location and Climate:At an elevation of 3,186 feet, Sisters is the gateway to the dramatic Cascade Mountains. It

is just east of one of the steepest rain gradients in the world- a difference of more than 60 inches of annual precipitation.

The Sisters Country has four distinct seasons. The average annual precipitation is 14 inches, the air is dry. Summer temperatures range from an average high of 85 digress during the day to 44 degrees at night, while winter temperatures average in the 40s during the day and 20s at night. Our sunny winters are famous; Central Oregon gets more sunny days on average than Houston, Texas.

Climate Comparison:

City Average July High

Average January

Low

Average Days of

Sunshine

Average Annual

Precipitation

Average Annual

SnowfallSisters 84 21 300 14 33Boulder, CO 87 20 246 19 83Carson City, NV 89 21 255 11 22Coeur d’Alene, ID 85 21 176 25 47Jackson, WY 81 5 205 16 75Park City, UT 82 12 232 21 138San Luis Obispo, CA 78 42 285 23 0Santa Rosa, CA 83 37 285 30 0South Lake Tahoe, CA 78 19 265 32 189Spokane, WA 84 21 176 16 42

Sisters Country Photography

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Recreation According to National Geographic Magazine,

“Sisters, Oregon is often chalked up just as a small cow-town. But set as it is against the 4,817-foot Santiam Pass surrounded by peaks, rivers and forests, we see Sisters for what it really is: a mecca of hiking, rafting, road-cycling, and mountain-biking in the summer and skiing in the winter.” Sisters is surrounded by the Deschutes National Forest and convenient to the Ochoco National Forest, the 155,000- acre Crooked River National Grassland (one of six federally- designated grasslands in the U.S.), the Mount Jefferson, Three Sisters and Mount Washington National Wilderness Areas, and stretches of famous fisheries in the Deschutes, Metolius and McKenzie Rivers and Whychus Creek.

Climbers and hikers flock here to challenge Mount Jefferson (at 10,497 feet, considered the steepest, most difficult climb of Oregon’s high summits) and the world-renowned climbing pitches at Smith Rock State Park.

The landscape of the region varies dramatically from mile to mile. The stark volcanic rock of McKenzie Pass gives way to verdant forest and waterfalls. The 10,000-foot peaks of the Three Sisters, with their glaciers and alpine lakes, are reached through

juniper, hemlock and pine trees. At the base of the mountains, bunch grass rangeland alternates with irrigated pasture. It’s a place that affords challenges for recreationalists in all four seasons:

• Downhill and Nordic skiing and snowboarding at Hoodoo Ski Resort, only 30 minutes from downtown. It’s a family resort with day and night skiing on five lifts.

• Fly fishing for trophy rainbow, brown and brook trout and Atlantic salmon and steelhead. Sisters is close to hundreds of lakes and 500 miles of rivers, including the world-class Metolius and Deschutes Rivers.

• Multiple, full-service golf resorts put Sisters among the “World’s 50 Greatest Golf Destinations,” according to Golf Digest.

• Swimming, waterskiing and windsurfing on the high mountain lakes.

• Mountain biking on single-track and other trails through incredible alpine settings. Sisters is recognized as one of

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the best places nationwide to live and train for the serious competitor.

• Hiking and backpacking on hundreds of miles of trails, including large segments of the Pacific Crest Trail. The summit of Black Butte is a popular hike right near town for 360° views of the Cascades.

Also close by are many other outdoor pursuits including:

• Bow and rifle hunting• Dogsledding and skijoring• Camping• Birding • Trail and distance running• Whitewater rafting and canoeing• Horsebackriding• Snowmobiling• Road and mountain biking Competitions throughout the region keep

resident and visiting athletes busy. In winter, there is the John Craig Memorial Nordic Ski Race, retracing the route of a postal carrier who died bringing the mail to Sisters on skis in the 1800s. The annual Sisters Rodeo comes to town in June.

Those interested in natural history can enjoy several spectacular driving routes that begin in or pass through Sisters. The McKenzie-Santiam Pass Scenic Loop is a

summer/ fall only drive leading to the 5,321-foot McKenzie Pass above town.

The road on the western side of the pass follows rivers past picturesque lakes and winds through old-growth forest before climbing back up to Santiam Pass. Here you can walk on the famous Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. Also not to miss are Sahalie and Koosah Falls, two roaring waterfalls that spill off the edge of basalt cliffs with 70- and 100- foot drops. Rock hounds and geology buffs can directly observe the volcanic processes of hundreds, thousands and millions of years ago. Broken Top, the best example in the Pacific Northwest of the effect of glaciation, and Collier Glacier, Oregon’s largest, are located here.

Horses are a staple of the local recreational scene. Multiple horse boarding, training and breeding operations are headquartered here, including Knapp Friesians at Willows

Ranch, Oracle Farms and Long Hollow Ranch, one of Oregon’s few working dude ranches. The Friesian Horse Association of North America is headquartered in Sisters, and there are many active rodeo and endurance riding enthusiasts.

Sun Country Tours

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Community: Old meets New West in Sisters Country.

Sisters’ friendliness and small town charm have been a characteristic of life here since the earliest pioneers. The original settlement in Sisters actually began five miles north of the current town-site, at Camp Polk in 1865. Camp Polk was a military

installation built for the protection of settlers from Indians, but with few Indian attacks, the base was closed a year after opening.

An 1888 contest to name the new post office led to the suggestion Three Sisters, which was then shortened to Sisters. At that time, the three Cascade Mountains that dominate the skyline each had

names – Faith, Hope and Charity. Now they are known as North, Middle and South.

Sisters has always been the Gateway to the Cascades. It became an important way station for the mail route over McKenzie Pass, a rugged pathway through lava flows and Pacific Northwest old growth forest. It was also a stopover for fur trappers and the only stopping point for livestock ranchers from the east passing through on their way to and from the alpine pasture lands in the Cascades. Local businesses thrived supplying these summer visitors, a trade that continues to this day, and one of the reasons we are such a welcoming community.

Lumber became the area’s primary industry in the late 19th century. In 1923, half the town was destroyed by fire, but bucket brigades manned by volunteers managed to save the Sisters Hotel. Disastrously, the remaining half of Sisters burned to the ground the following year. Expected to many to become a ghost town, Sisters rebuilt, and the town was officially incorporated in 1946.

In 1963, the last lumber mill in Sisters shut down, ending an economic era. Again many thought it was the beginning of the end for Sisters. The town persisted, redeveloping around an Old West architectural theme in the early 1970’s.

The story of Sisters is one that continues to play out throughout rural Oregon. This self-reliant town has now reinvented itself, and is basing future economic growth on knowledge based enterprises and services.

Calendar of EventsSummerRay’s Food Place/ Kiwanis Club of

Sisters Golf TournamentSisters Rodeo and ParadeSisters Round Up of GemsAround the BlockSisters Quilters’ AffairSisters Garden Club TourSisters Outdoor Quilt Show™

Sisters Annual Library Book SaleSisters “Glory Daze” Car ShowCountry Fair and Art ShowOutlaw Open Golf Tournament

FallSisters Western & Native American

Arts FestivalSisters Folk FestivalPhotography in the AspensPacific Amateur Golf ClassicSisters Harvest FaireLegends of the Fall Adult Lacrosse

Tournament

WinterSisters Tree Lighting CeremonyChristmas ParadeSisters Folk Festival Winter Concert

SeriesSisters Shootout Basketball SeriesHoodoo Winter CarnivalSisters Starry Nights Benefit Concert

Series

SpringSisters ActAmericana Art Stroll and Chili FeedMy Own Two Hands Art AuctionCentral Oregon Shootout Golf

TournamentSisters Annual Lacrosse Invitational

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Library: The Sisters Library is a lively center of

life in town, filled with children completing homework, toddlers enjoying story time, visitors checking email, and locals browsing the shelves. The library is part of the Deschutes County library system, and provides a full range of services to the community.

• Internet connections• Preschool literacy programs• Summer youth reading incentive

programs• Inter-library loans• Automated renewals• Local cultural events

Civic Clubs & ChurchesSisters’ many religious and social service

organizations provide a critical safety net for those in need of a mentor, job counseling, family support referrals, or a positive place to be.

• Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions• Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts• 4-H• Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration

• Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day

Saints• St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church• Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church• Sisters Christian Church• Sisters Community Church• Sisters Church of the Nazarene• Three Sisters Fellowship (Foursquare

Gospel Church)• New Hope Christian Center• Seventh Day Adventist Church• Calvary Chapel

Arts & EntertainmentSisters is home to a thriving community

of artists in all media: ceramics; metals; sculpture; painting; and photography. Local artists frequently offer classes and exhibit their works at local gatherings, in cafes, and in Sisters’ fine art galleries.

Sisters offers full service health clubs and day spas. In addition to the broad range of cultural activities and sporting events hosted in town throughout the year, locals find classical music, live theater easily accessible in Bend.

Sisters Folk Festival

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Dining and Lodging: Visitors return again and again to Sisters as a place

to play outdoors, shop, eat and rejuvenate. A plethora of good restaurants and first rate resort

lodging, hotel units, campgrounds, RV parks, cabin, condos, and rental homes are available.

Browse the many art galleries, savor coffee and sweets at our two landmark bakeries, or grab a burger and microbrew at the local brew pub. There are new and used book stores, sporting goods shops and half a dozen antique shops.

Media: Sisters has its’ own weekly community paper, The Nugget, with a

circulation of 6,000 and another 6,000 online subscribers. The Bulletin (Bend), The Oregonian (Portland) and several national dailies are also distributed. Seven television stations- four national affiliates and one public broadcaster – and five cable TV companies serve Central Oregon. Deschutes County radio coverage is provided by 14 radio stations.

Crime Considerations: Already low crime rates in Sisters and Central Oregon on the

whole have been dropping, despite population growth. Rising incomes, an emerging economy and a caring, active citizenry dedicated to helping at-risk youth all contribute to this positive trend.

Healthcare:Right in Sisters, a satellite office of the Bend Memorial Clinic, St.

Charles Family Health, and High Lakes Health Care provide family practice health care including preventive health services, urgent care, travel immunizations, onsite x-rays, and lab testing. Local health practitioners offer high-quality dentistry, physical therapy, chiropractic, midwifery, and family medicine.

Sisters Country Fine Art Galleries

Canyon Creek Pottery310 N Cedar Street

Clearwater Gallery303 W Hood Avenue

DonTerra Artworks222 W Hood Avenue

Jennifer Lake Gallery370 E Cascade Avenue

The Jewel221 A W Cascade Avenue

Kate Aspen Studios160 S Oak Street

Sisters Art Works204 W Adams Avenue

Sisters Gallery & Frame Shop252 W Hood Avenue

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Sisters has built a reputation for outstanding schools, students and athletes. The Sisters School District draws from a population of about 10,000, and consistently attracts the state’s top teaching staff. The Sisters Public School District consists of one elementary school, a middle school and a high school. Honors classes are offered in English and math. Advanced Placement classes are offered in US History, Calculus and Biology.

The community has a long record of financial support for local schools, recently renewing a 4-year local option levy, supporting the annual Starry Nights concert series to benefit the Sisters School Foundation, and devoting countless hours of volunteer time on behalf of the district.

Senior High Academic Program Sisters High has been designated a

“School of Excellence” by the state of Oregon, awarded an “Accredited with Merit” certification by the Northwest Association

of Schools and Colleges, and earned an international accreditation designation. Sisters High School will offer six career academies

beginning the fall of 2009. Students will be required to take elective credits in a career academy of their

choice. The goal is to make education more meaningful and thoughtful for students. A variety of programs suited to the unique interests of the student body account for part of Sisters High School’s success.

Sciences, Mathematics, Business & Technology

The high school’s college preparatory math programs integrate math concepts from everyday life into classroom lessons. Course offerings of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, probability, and statistics build towards college-credit level calculus. The science program incorporates laboratory work, chemistry, physics, biology, astronomy and wilderness ecology. Business, multi-media and other training classes prepare students for the world beyond the classroom:

• Information systems management• Software applications• Culinary arts

Highlights Student population: 1,150 Number of instructional days: 170 Sisters Elementary School Grades K through 4 Population: 300 Sisters Middle School Grades 5 through 8 Population: 350 Sisters High School Grades 9 through 12 Enrollment: 500 Instructors: 50% hold Masters Degrees On average 93% of students went on to

attend collegeGraduation rate: 94.7%Drop out rate is one of the lowest in the

state

Sisters School District: Among the State’s Best

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• Computer-aided design• Web design• Foreign language• Video production

Interdisciplinary Environmental Expedition

I.E.E. is composed of a community of learners working together to gain a balanced, in-depth understanding of the world around them.

Using an integrated approach, students are provided with the educational opportunity to study and learn about the natural environment through a hands-on format. Students learn critical thinking skills experientially by applying knowledge and skills to their surroundings. Students are given the necessary tools to create positive change within their community and possibly even the world around them.

This course is committed to developing community partnerships that result in a shared vision of stewardship and a sense of appreciation for and responsibility to the world around us. Above all, this course is committed to providing non-traditional education that not only challenges students, but makes learning relevant. Students receive credit in Environmental Science, English, and Outdoor Recreation.

2011 Central Oregon SAT Score Comparison Area Reading Math Writing Total Sisters 528 535 527 1590Oregon 520 499 521 1540 Washington 523 508 529 1560 California 499 499 515 1513 National 497 489 514 1500 Sources: College Board, Oregon Department of Education

Arts & Athletics Despite being one of the smallest 4A

schools, Sisters High repeatedly produces state champions in football, volleyball, golf, swimming, cross-country and track. Friday night football games are a community event! Supported in part by Sisters’ thriving community of artists and musicians, the high school art program includes painting, design, ceramics, sculpture, music, theater arts, jewelry-making and photography. The school’s award-winning jazz band is just one element of an extensive music program that includes participation in multiple festivals and competitions.

The Sisters Americana Project The Sisters Americana Project, the

educational outreach program of the Sisters Folk Festival, is a collaboration of the Festival, Creative Educational Resources, LLC and the Sisters School District. The program teaches students to play guitar, write songs, record and perform original music and to study American roots music, including jazz, blues, and traditional folk. Lessons also provide students with context in the cultural and historical influences and significance of each musical style. The intent is to be a course of study and an integrated curriculum, using the Americana theme in history, English, creative

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State Business Tax Climate 2012-2013Source: taxfoundation.org; ranking system 1- 50 (1 is the highest)

Idaho 2Oregon 10Nevada 16California 17Washington 22

Property Tax Per $1,000/ValueSisters $13.43Bend/LaPine $14.33Redmond $15.94Crook County $11.50Source: Deschutes County Assessor’s Office

Average Cost of a Home(residential on less than one acre)

Median Home Price 2008 2009 2010 $367,450 $286,250 $223,750

Average Home Price 2008 2009 2010 $437,636 $372,483 $295,488Source: Central Oregon Board of Realtors

writing, social studies, art and music courses at the school. The Americana Project also includes the Americana Song Academy and Academy for Youth.

Private SchoolsSisters Christian Academy in Sisters is

a Christian college preparatory school for students preschool through grade 8.

SCA offers challenging academic programs and fosters an environment where maturity, responsibility, self-discipline and parental involvement are expected. Other college preparatory, Waldorf, Montessori, religious and alternative schools are available in Bend.

Preschools • Early Childhood Enrichment through

Sisters Park & Recreation District• Little Cloverdale Preschool• Sisters Christian Academy

Sisters Parks & Rec DistrictSPRD provides afterschool and other

programs that enrich the community. High school students are employed to help run SPRD’s large curriculum of sports, outdoor

recreation, arts and crafts classes, drama workshops, music lessons and performances, field trips, and computer classes, as well as after-school child care.

Housing Much of Sisters in-town housing is

within walking distance of stores and restaurants and provides diverse options for families and retirees. The in-town housing stock consists of an eclectic mix of older homes and redeveloping lots, apartments and townhomes, new urban villages, and traditional subdivisions with single-family homes. Home prices are affordable compared to larger metropolitan areas. In the outlying areas, housing options include resort communities, homes with acreage and ranches.

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Access: Alaska/Horizon Airlines, United Express

and Delta serve Redmond’s Roberts Field Municipal Airport, 20 minutes east of Sisters, with daily direct flights to and from San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Denver and Salt Lake City as well as biweekly flights to Phoenix-Mesa and Las Vegas. FedEx, Airborne, Fleet, Pony Express, Horizon Air, UPS and DHL all provide air freight and package express services. General aviators will appreciate the ease and accessibility of Sisters Airport, less than ½ mile from downtown which provides convenient access for private propeller aircrafts.

Major car rental agencies with counters at Redmond Airport are Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National. Other rental car locations are available in Bend, Redmond, and Sunriver.

Area Mileage Drive Time

Alpine Skiing 24 30 min

Interstate-5 118 2 hours

Airport 18 30 min

International Airport 175 3hrs 15min

Distance to Services

Sisters sits at the juncture of Highways 20, 242, and 126; key cross-Cascades routes to Eugene, Salem and Portland.

Sisters is also proximate to US Highway 97, a north-south artery from Canada to Northern California, and a preferred trucking route. Central Oregon is a net importer of freight, so backhaul rates to markets in Portland, Seattle, and Northern California are excellent. Shipping time to West Coast destinations one to two days; Midwest, three to four days; East Coast, six days.

Rail service is through Burlington Northern and Union Pacific, with direct shipping to any market in North America. Amtrak passenger service is available via Chemult, 60 miles south of Bend.

Sisters Housing Profile • Median home price (residential on less

than an acre): $223,750• Average home price (residential on less

than an acre): $295,488• Average monthly rent (3 bedroom/2

bath home): $1,000• Owner vs. Renter Occupied Housing

units: 58.4% to 41.6%

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Deschutes CountySisters is located within Deschutes

County. Among the County population of approximately 157,733 (76,639 in Bend) is a well-qualified pool of employees with the skills to help companies succeed in global pursuits.

Primary industry clusters are tourism, retail trade, software, hardware and biotech, secondary wood products, recreational equipment manufacturing, aerospace/aircraft manufacturing, research and development, furniture and fixtures, steel/equipment fabrication, medical devices, advertising agencies, real estate, medical facilities and financial institutions.

The county’s foremost attractions include:• Mount Bachelor, Oregon’s Premier ski

resort, ranked among the Top Ten in the nation.

• The Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, the biggest county fairgrounds in the state. It includes the Deschutes Event Center, the Three Sisters Conference Center, Juniper Outdoor Area, and livestock facilities.

• The High Desert Museum features live animal exhibits, life-size dioramas of Native

American life and western settlement.• Lava Lands/Newberry Volcanic Monument,

including Lava River Caves State Park, Lava Cast Forest and Lava Butte.

• Smith Rock State Park is 650 acres of challenging rock faces rising up 500 feet. There are roughly 1,300 climbing routes, some considered the best sport climbs in the world.

Health CareCascade Healthcare Community, which

includes St. Charles Medical Center in Bend is distinguished as one of the top 100 hospitals in the US. Over 200 doctors in 40 specialties serve at the hospital. Cascade Healthcare is nationally-recognized for its expertise in cardiology, orthopedics and patient-centered care approach.

It is considered in the top ten percent of all hospitals in the country based on patient satisfaction. Cascade Healthcare community also offers services in Redmond. Sisters has its fair share of health care services as well; boasting 3 clinics, 4 dentist offices, 3 orthodontists, an optometrist, mental health care offices, counselors and 2 pharmacys. There are several businesses that practice healing arts including chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists and more.

Country Reflections Photography

Country Reflections Photography

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Higher EducationOSU- Cascades Campus

Bend is also a center of higher education. OSU-Cascades Campus is a branch campus of Oregon State University and is a member of the Oregon University System. It is dedicated to providing high quality four-year degree programs with Central Oregon Community College and other partner institutions.

An accredited branch campus of Oregon State, OSU-Cascades offers both bachelor’s degree and some graduate programs in Accounting, Business Administration, Information Systems, Education, English, Environmental Sciences, Agriculture, Science, Nursing, and Teacher Education – and many more. With its inaugural year in 2001, the OSU campus collaborates with many of Oregon’s finest colleges and universities, including the University of Oregon, Oregon Institute of Technology, Portland State University and others. The campus houses three computer labs, the state’s most modern science lab, fully wired classrooms for multi-media instruction, wireless networks and sophisticated broadcast classroom facilities. Located in Bend, it is a short drive from Sisters.

Central Oregon Community CollegeOregon’s largest community college,

COCC provides comprehensive course work for students planning to transfer to four-year institutions. It also offers training and retraining programs in business, industry and public service. COCC has campuses throughout Central Oregon, including Bend, Redmond, Prineville as well as a Madras campus that is currently in the works.

Community based enrichment• Continuing Education through Central

Oregon Community College• Adult Programming through Sisters

Parks & Recreation District• Several Volunteer opportunities

through area non-profits and the Sisters School District

Country Reflections Photography

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Sisters is home to small to mid-sized companies in a diverse mix of business categories:

• Recreation & Tourism• Retail• Nutritional products and cosmetics• Specialty Manufacturing• Construction and Home DesignSisters has approximately 400 local

businesses. Employers benefit from an abundant pool of skilled and professional workers.

A variety of Sisters manufacturers have relocated here from throughout the country. Contact the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce for information on recent relocations.

biotechnology)• Established high-speed

telecommunications infrastructure

A Well-Developed Infrastructure The 55 acre Sisters Industrial Park hosts

many small manufacturing companies in a traditional industrial setting with typical one acre parcels. Two new business parks which occupy 60 acres of land zoned for campus style light industrial uses are located just to the north.

The City of Sisters has completed a brand new wastewater treatment system and redundant water transmission line. There is sufficient electric service to support the needs of small and medium sized companies now and into the future.

Doing Business in Sisters

Economic Highlights• Estimated number of visitors to the

region: over 3.2 million annually.• Annual expenditures for travel of

approximately $692 million.• Median income: $27,965; Family of

four: $52,962• Deschutes County average hourly wage:

$17.38• Top Three Largest Employers in Deschutes

County: St Charles Medical Center; Les Schwab Tire Centers and Sunriver Resort

Sisters Business Highlights• Average size firm: 4 employees• Median age of residents: 38.8• Approximately 42% of population is

between 25 to 54 years of age• Tax valuation: $299,200,317• Located in one of the fastest growing

high tech business cluster areas in the state (software, hardware, medical and

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Sisters Enterprise Zone Enterprise zones serve to help attract

private business investment and to help resident businesses to reinvest and grow. They also provide local government tax incentives and other assistance to stimulate sound business investments that support and improve the quality of life.

In exchange for locating or expanding into an enterprise zone, eligible (generally non-retail) businesses receive total exemption from the property taxes normally assessed on new plant and equipment for at least three years (up to five years) in the standard program. An enterprise zone serves as a focal point for local development efforts and incentives.

Local incentives for the Sisters Enterprise Zone:

Waiver of the $200 application feeExpedited permitting process for

Enterprise Zone projectsWaiver of 50% of land-use fees for

businesses meeting the 150% salary and benefit threshold of the area median income

Waiver of 25% of the land-use fees for

Sisters Incentive Programs:businesses that do not meet the 150% salary and benefit threshold.

Waiver of water and sewer hook-up feesProvide 5% reduction in water and sewer

user charges for each FTE create, up to 25%

Discount building permits by 2% per FTE created, up to 25%

Incentive Programs• Business energy tax credits for projects

that conserve energy, promote recycling, use renewable energy resources or consume less polluting transportation fuels.

• Corporate income tax credits for pollution control or prevention, or reclaimed plastics products.

• Work opportunity tax credits, offering employers credits on wages paid to new hires who are disabled.

• Day care tax credits.• Research tax credits to assist companies

engaging in new research and development.

• Technology donation tax credits for companies that donate computers or scientific equipment in Oregon.

Sisters Country Photography

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Business Financing Business financing is available through a

host of local, regional, state and federal loan funds:

• Oregon Industrial Development Revenue Bonds

• Capital Access Program• Oregon Business Development Fund• Credit Enhancement Program

Water & Wastewater Fees2012/2013

Sewer (per EDU) $35.70

5/8" and 3/4" meters for 1,000 cubic feet

$20.59

1" and 1 1/2" meters for 1,000 cubic feet

$23.09

2" meter for 1,000 cubic feet $25.58

3", 4", 6", 8" meters for 10,000 gallons (1,337 cubic feet)

$62.40

Per 100 cubic ft over 1,000 cubic feet

$1.00

Business Costs Electric users benefit from low-cost

wholesale power generated from a diversity of hydroelectric and thermal gas-burning plants, making for extremely reliable power supplies. Sisters’ water supply is also extremely reliable, despite the semi-arid climate. In addition to mountain snowmelt and underground springs, the area’s primary water source is an enormous, deep aquifer formed during volcanic activity hundreds of years ago. Newcomers invariably notice the purity and good taste of Sisters’ cold tap water!

Taxes, Fees & Charges

Sales tax: none Corporate income tax rate: 6.6 % of net

income Individual income tax rate on income

over $10,800: $756 plus 9% of excess of $12,200

Property tax within the City Limits: $16.55/$1,000

State unemployment tax rate: 2.7% for new employers

City business license fee: Start at $105 Building Permits: Varies by requirements

System Development ChargesWater and Sewer SDCs are determined

by the number of fixtures placed within a new building. Contact our City Planning and Finance Department for more detailed information.Parks $613/EDUTransportation $1,016/peak trip

• Other incentives (such as customized worker training, help moving equipment or purchasing specialized equipment, infrastructure extension, land acquisition) can be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Funds come from the Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund or the Old Growth Diversification Fund. Regional Strategies/Rural Investment Funds may also be available.

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Organization Contact Information Service

Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO)

541-388-3236 800-342-4135

www.edcoinfo.com

Comprehensive information and assistance to companies relocating to or expanding in Central Oregon. Demographics and other statistics

Small Business Development Center

541-383-8290 www.cocc.edu

Confidential business counseling Business and marketing plan development and review Business seminars

Oregon Economic and Community Development Department (OECDD)

541-388-6266www.econ.oregon.

gov

Business loans and grants Workforce training grants International trade assistance

State of Oregon Ecmployment Department (OED)

541-388-6070www.

employmentoregon.gov

Connection point for employees and employers. Regional and statewide labor market statistics, Oregon unemployment Insurance administors

The Oregon Innovation Center (OIC)

541-312-5785www.

innovationcenter.org

Capital needs assessment and company reviews i2m Program (Idea to Marketplace)

The Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC)

541-548-8163www.coic.org

Business loans Grants Workforce skills training

Opportunity Knocks (OK) 541-318-4650www.opp-knocks.org

Confidential peer-to-peer group problem solving Business seminars

• Entrepreneurial Development Loan Fund

• Intermediary Relending Program• COIC Revolving Loan Fund• Special County Loan Funds• Small Business Administration

Programs• Rural Development Loan Program• Cascadia Fund

Assistance for Relocating CompaniesMany organizations provide support for

business relocations to Sisters. Businesses get assistance from another local development agency, Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO).

This agency works on infrastructure, educational and public policy issues to help

Business Support Services

Central Oregon businesses, including the most rapidly expanding high technology sector in the state.

EDCO attracts new businesses and overcomes barriers to economic development through advertising, telemarketing, editorial coverage, network marketing, a web site, site selector firms, targeted trade shows and contact with local businesspeople.

EDCO provides:• Business loan assistance• Site selection• Workforce training• Networking and professional

development services. The Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce

actively promotes its 350-plus member organizations with activities such as:

22

• Television and print advertising• Web site listings• Visitor center referrals• A comprehensive business directory and

networking eventsQuestions related to infrastructure

capacity, land use and building permits can be answered by the City of Sisters, 549-6022. The city provides water, wastewater, garbage, and street main-tenance services through its Public Works Department. The Planning Department handles questions related to land use regulations and building permits.

Central Oregon Community College (COCC) in Bend runs a variety of business assistance programs in the region. The Manufacturing & Applied Technology Training Center, 20 minutes away in Redmond, is another division of COCC. It

provides handson training in manufacturing technology to directly support regional companies and local workers. Curricula include advanced metals, wood products manufacturing, robotics, computer-assisted design and fabrication.

COCC’s Small Business Development Center consults to small and emerging Central Oregon businesses on management issues. The Center also provides training and resources, such as business plan workbooks, video library and data reports.

The Oregon Innovation Center (OIC) in Bend is a non-profit business incubator for entrepreneurs looking to establish or grow businesses in the region. OIC helps entrepreneurs network, adapt emerging technologies, source capital and incorporate best practices to foster profitable businesses and family-wage employment growth.

The Oregon Economic & Community Development Department works with local Chambers of Commerce, municipalities and the state economic development department to foster a robust, sustainable regional economy.

23

What Makes Sisters Best in the West

For the most rapid response to your questions about doing business in Sisters:

Economic Development forCentral Oregon (EDCO )

541.388.3236

Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce541.549.0251

City of Sisters541.549.6022

Sisters Business Attraction Retention Team (SBART) Patty Cordoni, Chair

541.771.0931

Population Ave. Home Price

Proximity to both

Mountain and

Ocean

Sales Tax

Larger city in

Proximity

Four Distinct Seasons

Average Days of

Sunshine

Reliable water & power

Commerical airport

Sisters, OR

2,038 $295,488 X No X X 300 X 18 Mi

Boulder, Co

103,606 $467,147 3.41% X X 246 X 13 Mi

Bozeman, MT

45,000 $275,000 No 163 X 9 Mi

Carson City, NV

57,000 $238,121 7.125% X X 255 3 Mi

Coeur d’ Alene, ID

44,137 $183,205 6.00% X 176 7 Mi

Jackson, WY

9,577 $412,460 6.00% 205 9 Mi.

South Lake

Tahoe, CA

21,403 $290,000 X 8.75% X 265 X 3.3 Mi

Park City, UT

8,191 $497,344 7.4% X X 232 X 35 Mi

San Luis Obispo,

CA

45,119 $475,000 X 8.75% X 285 X 3 Mi

Santa Rosa, CA

156,387 $530,000 X 8.00% X 285 X 7 Mi

Spokane, WA

208,916 $165,264 8.49% X 176 X 6 Mi

24

• Central Oregon Community College (COCC)

541.383.7700 www.cocc.edu

• Deschutes County Fairgrounds & Expo Center

541.548.2711 www.expo.deschutes.org

• Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO)

541.388.3236 www.edcoinfo.com

• Manufacturing & Applied Technology Training Center

541.383.7700

• The Nugget Newspaper 541.549.9941 www.nuggetnews.com

• Oregon Economic & Community Development

541.388.6266 www.oregon.gov/OBDD/

• Oregon Innovation Center 541.312.5785 www.innovationcenter.org

• Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

541.322.3100 www.osucascades.edu

• Redmond Municipal Airport 541.504.3495 www.flyrdm.com

• Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce

541.549.0251 www.SistersCountry.com

• Sisters School District 541.549.8521

• Sisters Park & Rec District (SPRD) 541.549.0291

• Small Business Devleopment Center (COCC) 541.383.7290 noncredit.cocc.edu

Contacts/Additional ResourcesGovernment• City of Sisters 541.549.6022 www.ci.sisters.or.us

• Sisters Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District

541.549.0771

• Deschutes County Sheriff 541.549.1762

• Deschutes County Board of Commissioners

Tammy Baney 541.388.6570 Tony DeBone 541.388.6570 Alan Unger 541.388.6570

Real Estate & Moving Needs• Coldwell Banker/Reed Bros. reedbros.com 541-549-6000

• Metolius Property Sales metoliuspropertysales.com

541-588-6614

• Ponderosa Properties ponderosaproperties.com 541-549-2002

• R.A. (Dick) Howells Company blackbutte.com 541-549-5555

• RE/Max Revolution ilovesisters.com 541-549-3333• Sisters Rental sistersrental.com 541-549-9631

• South Valley Bank & Trust southvalleybank.com 541-549-8110

• Western Title & Escrow westerntitle.com 541-548-9180

Utilities/Infrastructure• CenturyLink (formerly

Qwest) 800.244.1111

• Bend Broadband 541.382.5551

• Central Electric Coop 541.548.5698 www.cec-co.com

• Cascade Natural Gas 1-888-522-1130

www.cngc.com

• Ferrell Gas 541.382.1161

• City of Sisters Water/Sewer 541.549.6022

• Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles

541.388.6322 www.oregon.gov/ODOT/

DMV

• High Country Disposal 541.548.4984

• Post Office 541.549.0949

Choosing an Agent Welcome to the Brokerage that puts you in control. You have no obligation to work with the first Agent you meet when you walk in the door. You can choose the Agent you want to work with.

You have rights as a buyer or seller and can interview more than one Agent We want to help you connect with the Agent of your choice

Customer or Client?

Under Oregon Real Estate Rules,* an Agent represents the person paying their fee, but can represent a buyer if a buyer makes them their designated representative. You become a Client when you choose an Agent to represent your interests.

Benefits of Selecting Your Agent

Your Agent has the right to represent you even though the seller is paying the fee Your Agent is held to a higher level of service, wholeheartedly representing you as a

Client At Coldwell Banker Reed Bros. Realty, you are comfortably in control of connecting with the Agent best suited for your needs. And we do have excellent choices!

REED BROS. REALTY

291 W. Cascade Avenue Sisters, OR 97759

541-549-6000 / 800-426-9372 www.reedbros.com

Broker Profiles

Mike Reed, Principal Broker, CRB, CRS, ABR

Active Real Estate Professional since 1976. Past President of COAR, Sisters Rotary, Rodeo Association & Planning Commission. Architect major at Univ. of Oregon and Flight Technology at Lane Comm. College. Holds Commercial Pilot License. Enjoys flying, boating in the San Juan Islands and golf.

Jackie Herring, Broker

Lifelong resident of Sisters and Camp Sherman and a Broker serving Central Oregon since 1984. Broad knowledge of Central Oregon and a feel for its character, specializing in homes, residential acreage, bare land, ranches and farms. Jackie enjoys riding horses & living in Central OR. 541-480-3157 / [email protected]

Mike Mansker, Owner, Principal Broker, E-PRO, GRI Graduate of Bend High and OR State University ('81 Business and Forest Science). Expertise in residential property, new construction, remodeling, resort, investment, ranch, forest acreages and 1031 tax exchange. Mike and his wife of 30 years have raised 3 children in Sisters. 541-480-3100 / [email protected]

Annie Andreson, Broker Annie has been a resident of Sisters since 1978, and licensed Broker since 1975. So many folks want to live here and enjoy what we have. Purchasing property in Sisters is about buying a "lifestyle". With 37 years in the business, Annie has the experience to meet your real estate needs and get the job done right. 541-410-9514 / [email protected]

REED BROS. REALTY

291 W. Cascade Avenue Sisters, OR 97759

541-549-6000 / 800-426-9372 www.reedbros.com

Broker Profiles

Each office is independently owned and operated. Information subject to change.

Connie Mitchell, Broker, GRI, ABR, SFR

Resident of Central Oregon for over 30 years, and has a passion for her career as a Realtor, attributing her enthusiasm to her love for the area and a strong work ethic. “My goal is simple, to provide you with the very best service to make your transition as smooth as possible.” 541-610-8011 / [email protected]

Tina Perin, Broker Tina believes successful real estate comes as a result of clear communication, understanding, honesty, integrity and trust between client and agent. Tina will listen to your needs and work hard to find what you are looking for. Tina and her husband, Jeff Perin, owner of The Fly Fishers Place, enjoy all that Central Oregon has to offer, and will help her clients experience the same. 541-480-0208 / [email protected]

Dennis Burts, Broker

Dennis and his family have enjoyed Sisters Country over 30 years. As an Air Force Academy graduate, he served as a flight instructor, and holds a commercial pilot's license. After 20 years in high-tech with HP and AT&T, Dennis has been involved in real estate for 7 years. If you are looking for that perfect home in the Sisters, OR corner, please consider giving Dennis a call. 541-280-1106 / [email protected]

Linda Brunanchon, Broker, GRI, ABR

As a native Californian, Linda had been tempted by Central Oregon since the 1970’s, and finally had the opportunity to relocate in 2001. Linda has several years’ experience in commercial Real Estate development which lends itself very easily to residential and land sales. She has practiced Real Estate in Oregon since 2004. 541-728-6989 / [email protected]

Susan Bird, BSBA, Broker, GRI

Native Oregonian, specializing in Black Butte Ranch and Sisters area real estate since 1999. Began real estate career in 1976, and owned an office in Eugene. BS in Business Administration and experienced in journalism, advertising and marketing. Enjoys taking part in a variety of community programs. 541-410-5644 / [email protected]

Cheryl White, Broker

Licensed Assistant to Mike Mansker. Cheryl grew up spending summers in her family’s vacation home at Black Butte Ranch. She fulfilled a childhood dream by moving to Sisters in 1994. She brings experience as a licensed Escrow Officer and Mortgage Assistant. 541-420-7875 / [email protected]

Breeze Holman, Broker Breeze began her Real Estate Career in 2007, serving the Portland Metro Community. Her love of people led her to care giving that continued in the Sisters Community since relocating in 2011. She actively gives her time in mentoring “at risk kids” with A Circle of Friends in Sisters. A talented researcher, with a proven work ethic and invested in the community. 541-549-6115 / [email protected]

Important Real Estate Links Oregon Buyer’s Advisory: http://www.oregonrealtors.org/About_OAR/buyadv.html Oregon Agency Pamphlet: http://www.oregonrealtors.org/Legal/disclosurepamphlet.html

www.reedbros.com Search all MLS Listings!

Sisters, Bend, Redmond and beyond! Mapped Listings! Sign-up for Automated Notice of New Listings! Area Information!

SISTERS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE866.549.0252 www.SistersCountry.com 541.549.0251

REED BROS. REALTY

reedbros.com541-549-6000

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