Author: Tor Hanson

Bend Chamber of Commerce

Redmond Airport – Taking on a Growing Region

Tor Hanson

Originally published in Bend Business and Lifestyle Magazine – 2017 It is five o’clock in the morning. Alaska Airlines’ Bombardier turbo-prop is taxing out from the ramp at Roberts Field in Redmond. Passengers from all over Central Oregon are on their way to Portland. Next door American Eagles’ Canadair RJ 700 is being readied. In less than two hours, passengers will leave on a non-stop flight to Los Angeles. It’s been a long time coming. From its humble beginnings in the 1920s, the Redmond Municipal Airport has become a key player in Central Oregon’s powerhouse economy. The growing community is … Continue reading Redmond Airport – Taking on a Growing Region

Bend Chamber of Commerce

Citizen Group Recommends Changes to Bend City Charter

Tor Hanson

Originally published in the Bend Chamber Business Edition – February 2, 2017 With support from Bend Chamber of Commerce, Bend 2030, and the City Club of Central Oregon, a group of Bend citizens have explored the city’s current governance model. Based on input from two citizen meetings last year, the Bend City Governance committee presented their findings in front of the city council last night. According to the report, the citizen’s input group favors a publicly elected mayor as well as the creation of a ward system to give all citizens in Bend fair representation in city council. Presented by … Continue reading Citizen Group Recommends Changes to Bend City Charter

Bend Chamber of Commerce

City Council Float Public/Private Partnerships at Financial Strategy Meeting

Tor Hanson

Originally published in the Bend Chamber Business Edition – March 23, 2017 If three words could some up the Bend City Council’s Financial Strategy Meeting Wednesday, it might be Money, Money, Money… With the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) approved last fall, Councilors are in the midst of how to move forward with the “opportunity” and “expansion” areas identified in the plan. In total, more than 90 procurement decisions will fall in the Councilors lap within the foreseeable future. But according to council and staff, there’s not enough funds in the city coffers for all the projects. Bend City Councilors and … Continue reading City Council Float Public/Private Partnerships at Financial Strategy Meeting

Bend Chamber of Commerce

Are City Council Meetings Too Long?

Tor Hanson

Originally published in the Bend Chamber Business Edition – January 13, 2017 Bend’s new Mayor, Casey Roats, wants City Council to get down to business. As his first comment to the new council at yesterday’s City Council Special Meeting at the Administration Building at Simpson Fire Station, the mayor laid down the framework for what will be the new norm for the council. As the new city council takes up position on the dais at City Hall next Wednesday, Mayor Roats is all about making council meetings to stay on track. “One of my main concerns is that we follow the … Continue reading Are City Council Meetings Too Long?

Pioneer Gazette

The Finest Little Hotel in America: Pilot Butte Inn

Tor Hanson

Originally published in the Deschutes Pioneer Gazette – January 2017 Author Irving Cobb called it “The Finest Little Hotel in America.” Former presidents, movie stars, skiing legends, local dignitaries, lumber buyers, and even a sitting First Lady walked through the doors of Pilot Butte Inn during its storied past. Gone from Bend since the demolition of the Swiss Chalet-style hotel in 1973, just mention the Inn by name to an old-time Bendite and stories about weddings, birthday parties, and all-night dancing celebrations are recalled. Visitors and new Bend residents may not even know the hotel ever existed. Today, a modern … Continue reading The Finest Little Hotel in America: Pilot Butte Inn

Bend Chamber of Commerce

City Council Softens the 90-Day Eviction Ordinance after Input from Community

Tor Hanson

Originally published in the Bend Chamber Business Edition – December 21, 2016 Thanks to input from several local organization, among them the Bend Chamber of Commerce’s EVP Community Affairs Jamie Christman, the Bend City councilors decided to “soften” the controversial 90-day “no cause” eviction ordinance at their December 7 meeting. Introduced at the council work session, the new version leaves the existing 30-day “no cause” ordinance in place, with a 90-day “no cause” eviction requirement taking effect after one year of occupancy. The current local ordinance allows landlords to evict month-to-month renters with a 30-day notice. With a “no cause” eviction, … Continue reading City Council Softens the 90-Day Eviction Ordinance after Input from Community

Bend Chamber of Commerce

Transportation Issues and Potholes Loom Large at Council Meeting

Tor Hanson

Originally published in the Bend Chamber Business Edition – March 2, 2017 Transportation issues loomed large at last night’s city council meeting. The future of the upgraded 14th Street Corridor and approval of Uber and Lyft-type transportation options were approved. And the issue of potholes weaved in and out of the discussions throughout the evening with public frustration topping the visitor section. Uber/Lyft Ride-hailing Services Approved After weeks of heated debate, amendments; and long-winded discussions about horse-drawn carriages and pedicabs, the council finally approved the repeal of the Bend city code regulating taxicabs with updated language that factor in ride-hailing … Continue reading Transportation Issues and Potholes Loom Large at Council Meeting

Bend Chamber of Commerce

What’s Brewing – Bend’s UGB Moving Forward

Tor Hanson

Originally published in the Bend Chamber Business Edition – March 17, 2017 The expansion of the urban growth boundary was the easy part. Now comes the hard work, figuring out how to build and pay for the expansion. Bend Chamber’s What’s Brewing delved into the many challenges ahead of the city, developers and Bend citizens when it comes to living up to the promises made in the UGB planning document. Moderated by Bend Chamber EVP of Community Affairs, Jamie Christman, the topic of the evening was Bend’s UGB – Moving Forward. The expert panel included City Planning Manager, Brian Rankin, … Continue reading What’s Brewing – Bend’s UGB Moving Forward

Bend Chamber of Commerce

Local Liquids: Bend’s Beer Scene

Tor Hanson

Originally published in Bend Business and Lifestyle Magazine – 2017 Craft brew has been flowing in Bend and Central Oregon since 1988 when Gary Fish’s Deschutes Brewery started production in a small brewpub on Wall Street. Twenty-nine years later, Bend holds the title for the most breweries per capita in Oregon. There are 22 in town, another eight outside the city limits, and more are on tap. Bend’s beer craze started with the establishment of Deschutes Brewing in 1988 and Bend Brewing Company in 1995. Also worth mentioning is Cascade Lakes Brewing in Redmond that premiered in 1994. The fledgling … Continue reading Local Liquids: Bend’s Beer Scene

Bend Chamber of Commerce

Sheriff L. Shane Nelson – A Bend Story

Tor Hanson

Originally published in Bend Business and Lifestyle Magazine – 2017 L. Shane Nelson is the new sheriff in town. Elected in November 2016, he and his 229 employees – of whom 174 are sworn deputies – provide safety and security for one of Oregon’s largest and most diversified regions. As Bend and its surroundings approach new population highs, the Sheriff’s Office is accepting the challenges head on. Deschutes County recently celebrated its 100-year anniversary. The Sheriff’s Office is equally old. Nelson is the county’s ninth sheriff, with Sheriff Samuel E. Roberts the first to hold office in Bend. The position … Continue reading Sheriff L. Shane Nelson – A Bend Story