BEND, OR -- Envision Bend releases its Action Plan Friday. Executive Director Matt Muchna says it's the culmination of several years of research and listening to the community, "We heard a lot of things that won’t be surprising to folks that have been in the region for a long time. We value our clean air and water, we value outdoor access, we value small-town feel. And we have issues - we have affordability issues, transportation issues, housing shortage."

He tells KBND News the group focused on four key goals after narrowing down the community’s priorities: "Create an inclusive economy for everyone, working to guide our growth and development, creating an inclusive culture and a sense of belonging in our community, and also creating a safe and healthy environment."

To achieve those broad goals, the 44-page report includes 28 strategies, including increasing workforce housing, improving student mental health and well-being, and preserving Skyline Forest, "How can we conserve and potentially purchase Skyline Forest for the benefit of our community?"

Muchna says it takes into account the city's place in the region, "Really we’re looking at the next five years. And importantly, we’re looking at greater Bend, so this regionality approach. I think it’s Bendcentric, but I think importantly, we’re understanding the implications of living in the Central Oregon region and what that means to Redmond and to Sisters, La Pine, Sisters, Prineville, Madras." He adds, "We can’t plan for Bend’s future without thinking about the region."

Click HERE to read the entire report. Listen to our complete conversation with Matt Muchna at KBND's Podcast Page. The last large-scale visioning project was completed in 2005 and 2006, under the old title “Bend 2030.”