BEND, OR -- Central Oregon City Managers from Bend, La Pine, Madras, Prineville, Redmond, and Sisters came together to discuss regional issues Thursday.

Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council Executive Director Tammy Baney, the forum moderator, said a recent survey shows the public’s chief concerns are economic growth, homelessness, water supply, “They’re worried about that both in their daily lives and what’s happening in the future. And it’s no secret that Central Oregon again is the fastest growing region in the state of Oregon.”

Prineville’s Steve Forrester talked about how his town emerged from the Great Recession to become Oregon’s fastest growing city. “We take a very proactive approach to building out the basic infrastructure needs ahead time as much as we could possibly do as much as w and that served us very well. Shortly thereafter, we were able to land the data center community,” said Forrester noting it’s important to have a diverse economy and living wage jobs. 

Interim Madras City Manager Christy Wurster spoke about business development, “We are learning so much about our airport and the potential future of Madras and what it can mean for the properties surrounding it. …We are focusing on that area of town for future industrial growth.”

Redmond City Manager Keith Witcosky says success comes from collaboration, “The good thing whether its homelessness or anything else, all the city managers work together to try to figure out how to solve problems.”