2017 SISTERS PROFILE

The town of Sisters takes its name from the iconic Three Sisters Mountains that dominate its western skyline, shown in the photo above. Each of the three volcanic peaks North Sister, Middle Sister, and South Sister (Faith, Hope, and Charity are their respective Native American names) exceed 10,000 feet.

closely follows that of the Pacific Northwest. Three miles northeast of Sisters current location, Camp Polk was established in 1865 as a military post to respond to the potential threat of Paiute Indians in the area. Homesteaders quickly replaced the military after discovering there was no conflict and soon established ranches, a store, and a post office. In 1888 the post office and about twenty families relocated southwest to what is now the City of Sisters. The next one hundred years were dominated by sheep grazing, cattle ranching, and logging. In May 1923 ten downtown busin esses and several residences were lost due to a garage fire. The following year Sisters was aflame again due to the Gist Hotel fire. was written in The Bend Bulletin. By the 1970s not only was logging in serious decline but so was the City of Sisters. The leading Sisters resort, Black Butte Ranch, persuaded the city to revitalize the town by focusing on tourism. Utilizing a Western building theme inspired by heritage, Sisters was transformed and became an attraction for tourists worldwide.

Today Sisters is recognized for an outstanding school system, abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, a rich arts and cultural scene, and a rural, community-focused top-quality lifestyle. Though the downtown is characterized by small and authentic lifest yle retail stores and restaurants, Sisters has all of the commercial attributes to attract business owners and entrepreneur s who value and appreciate small-town charm.

Business Land Choices In Sisters

Sisters has both light industrial and developed business park lots available. Some existing industrial and commercial buildings are available for purchase. http://www.loopnet.com/xNet/MainSite/Listing/Search/SearchResults.aspx?linkcode=13880#/ForSale/c!ARUIBQAAAQQBAlVTBQECT1IHAQdTaXN0ZXJzCgEFOTc3NTkVAADgloo7AwDAHTF-AF$EAD_AQJg$BAKQ$AA

In addition, Sisters has several attractive and affordable commercial spaces for lease ranging from 500 sf to 8,000 sf. http://www.loopnet.com/xNet/MainSite/Listing/Search/SearchResults.aspx?linkcode=13890#/All-Types/ForLease/c!ARYCBAAGAg$AAEEAQJVUwUBAk9SBwEHU2lzdGVycwoBBTk3NzU5

Sisters Te Employers

According to the Oregon Employment Department, 78% of Oregon establishments have nine or fewer employees and the average private establishment employs 11 people. To an even greater extent than the state, Central Oregon's business environment is typified by innovative, small companies, producing niche-market products and services..

Clearly, smaller companies are more crucial to rural co mSister business environment is dominated by smaller-sized employers, with a few exceptions.

In Sisters, the larger public employers are Black Butte Ranch, the Sisters School District, US Forest Service.

Among the private sector, Sisters has a strong concentration of businesses related to tourism, hospitality, recreation, and the arts. However, Sisters has a growing and diverse tradedsector economy (companies that sell products or provide services outside of the area) including employers in important industries such as; Natural Resources, Agriculture, Food Processing, Green Energy, Telecom, Critical Power, Wood Products, Outdoor Recreation, Aviation/Flight Science, BioScience, Media, High Tech, Industrial Arts, Advanced Manufacturing, and Entrepreneurship.

Below are a few businesses, as well as economically significant local events categorized by industry clusters:

EDCO, 2017

Tourism/Recreation: Black Butte Ranch Resort, Five Pine Lodge & Conference Center, , Aspen Lakes Golf Course, HooDoo Ski Area, Sisters Movie House

Specialty Retail: The , Sisters Olive and Nuts, Beacham Clock Company, Canyon Creek Pottery, Antler Arts, Sisters Log Furniture

Chain Retail: -Mart, Les Schwab Tire Center, Subway, Dutch Brothers

Arts & Events: Sisters Folk Festival, Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, Sisters Rodeo, Sisters Art Works, Clearwater Gallery, Sisters Gallery, and Frame works, Hood Avenue Art

Light Manufacturing: Ponderosa Forge & Ironworks ( ufacturer of handcrafted fireside and architectural iron products), Preston Thompson Guitars, Black Crater Clothing, Z-Glass Act (custom designer and manufacturer of light fixtures)

Media/Publications: Zion Pictures, Deep River Books

Bioscience/Health: Metabolic Maintenance (a natural nutrition supplement manufacturer)

Natural Resources/Wood Products: Swiss Mountain Log Homes, Three Creeks Woodworking, GFP Enterprises Inc. (emergency response company focused on wildland fire suppression and catastrophe management solutions), Rocky Mountain Timber Products

Food Processing: Three Creeks Brewing Company, Sisters Coffee Company, for vegan and gluten-free food)

High Tech/Engineering: ENERGYneering Solutions Inc. (a global green energy, engineering consulting and construction firm), Bird Gard (an electronic bird control company), Mohr Solutions Power (a TeleCom and critical power supply company, Abbajay Automated Control Systems

Aviation/Flight Sciences: Innoviator (aircraft engineering and consulting firm)

Many of Sisters downtown retail, professional services, and commercial businesses are members of the Sisters Chamber of Commerce.

Building Activity In Sisters

quarters of 2017. As of September 30, 2017, the City has authorized the construction of 73 single family units, 20 townhouse units, and 3 triplex units for a total of 102 residential units. New commercial construction projects compl eted are Dairy Queen, Five Pine cabins and laundry building, Creekside Campground restroom, Sisters Mini Storage and multiple projects for the Sisters School District. Laird Superfood project is underway and other new commercial and mixed-use projects have received land use approval and are anticipated to be underway shortly including two new mixed-use light industrial/live work projects in the North Sisters Business Park. Additionally, the City has a number of projects currently under review including a hotel and formula food establishment and a new transportation center at Sisters High School. City staff continues to receive numerous inquiries supporting feasibility studies on additional residential and commercial projects.

The last four Affordable Housing units out of seven are under construction at Skygate by Housing Works and a site plan application was recently approved for Housing Works to enable construction of 48 multifamily Affordable units. Construction of these 48 multifamily units is anticipated in Spring 2017. Hayden Homes has broken ground on Phase 5 of the Village at Cold Springs which will enable the constriction of 17 single family units and 24 multifamily market rate units. Infrastructure review for the Grand Peaks subdivision (formally Kuivato) and Clear Pine Phase III is currently underway, laying the groundwork for an additional 50 single family units. The building permit for The Lodge - Assisted Living Facility has been issued and construction is anticipated to commence in the near future.

Although residential construction has been very active in 2017, familiar challenges with labor supply, land and construction costs continue to keep new construction from meeting the high demand. As long as the national economic outlook remains stable, we anticipate continued high levels of construction activity in 2018 in response to very high levels of de-

City of Sisters, Community Development Department

Costs Of Doing Business

In the Central Oregon Tri-County area, Sisters has established a reputation for affordable utilities, lowest systems development (SDCs) fees as a percent of the project, and responsiveness from local government to business needs. Business license fees: Standard is $105 per year plus $4 per employee. (Source: City of Sisters, 2016)

Average Wages For Select Occupations

Below are average hourly wages in Oregon, Washington, and California. Central Oregon wages are typically below those of Oregon, often 10 to 20%. Wages in Washington are typically higher than Oregon while California wages routinely run at least 20% higher than those in Oregon:

COVERED EMPLOYMENT & PAYROLL

Below is covered employment data by sector, employee count, payroll, and average annual wage in the tri-county region. Average annual pay is the total of all covered wages paid during the year divided by the monthly average numb er of covered jobs during the year.

Covered employment refers to jobs that are eligible for unemployment insurance, so it is a good barometer of wage and sector trends. Note that while most employees are covered, notable exceptions include the self-employed, those who work solely on commission, and some agricultural workers.

Relative to last year (2015 data), all measurements the number individuals employed, the associated payroll, and average annual pay increased across the board, demonstrating a broad return to a healthier economy. In terms of sheer numbers employed, the big gains in industry sectors in Deschutes County were construction, manufacturing, professional and businesses services, and education & health services. Similarly, payroll in Deschutes County expanded by 9% and average annual pay registered an improvement of 3%. The average annual wage for Central Oregon is $41,748, while the average annual wage for all of Oregon is $49,452.

Industry Mix

Central Oregon has an ever-more diverse mix of industries that create the employment foundation for the regional economy. For example, in 2007, construction accounted for more than 11% of total payroll, while today it is much closer to national averages. A large slice of the overall pie, government, has seen its share of payroll disperse to other sectors such as education and health services (the fastest growing sector). Information, which includes software, IT services, and data centers, has grown by 30% over the past decade. Tourism (leisure and hospitality) has also seen gains in the past 10 years.

Costs Of Doing Business In Oregon

Oregon has achieved national status for being a cost competitive location for business. The table below compares the cost of doing business in Oregon, Washington, and California. Major contributing factors to the Oregon advantage are no sales tax, no inventory tax, an affordable property tax system, and affordable labor costs. Across the country on average, taxpayers pay the most in taxes to their own state and local governments.

Sources: Tax Foundation, Oregon Employment Department, Washington State Employment Security Department, and California Employment Development Department, US Energy Information Association, Employer Health Benefits Survey, Premium rate ranking index, Oregon Insurance Division, 1 Washington does not have a corporate income tax but does have a gross receipts tax (Business & Occupancy Tax). While not strictly comparable to corporate income tax rates, it is imposed on revenues, not profits, resulting in noteworthy effective tax rates, particularly for small businesses and startups.

Perhaps one of the greatest assets in Oregon is the structure of how corporations are taxed, known as the Single Sales Factor. The tax rate on corporate income of firms doing business in the state is the greater of a minimum tax based on relative Oregon sales ($150-$100,000, approximately 0.1% of sales by entity) or an income-based levy of 6.6% on taxable income up to $1 million and 7.6% above that.

Relative Oregon sales are responsible 100% in determining U.S. corporate income taxable in Oregon. This single interstate factor stands in contrast to states that also use factors for property and payroll to apportion taxable income. It is advantageous to a business headquartered or producing tangible goods in Oregon, but selling products throughout the country, or the world, where it also operates, because its business Oregon tax liability is proportional only to its Oregon customer base, and that liability does not grow directly as a result of greater investment or employment in Oregon.

How the single sales factor works:

In its Oregon tax return, the business takes the ratio of Oregon sales to total U.S. sales and applies that ratio to its consolidated federal income. The result is Oregon taxable income. Oregon sales are based on where the greater cost of performance occurs for intangible sales. In the case of tangible goods, Oregon sales include the throwback of sales to customers where the entity would not otherwise be taxable. (Source: Business Oregon) sales factor plays an important role for Nike, Columbia Sportswear, Keen, and other outdoor gear and apparel manufacR&D, and warehouse operations.

The tables below compare costs for a manufacturing company with 20 employees to one with 200 employees. This example does not factor or include cost savings offered by incentive programs. Oregon offers more incentive programs to traded-sector businesses (companies that sell products or services outside of the area) than Washington and California combined. Attempting to understand all cost factors in different states and how those impact your specific business can be a daunting task. Some cost factors such as the efficiency and approach to regulatory oversight (i.e. implementation of federal EPA rules) can be dramatically different from state to state, but virtually impossible to place a dollar value on for comparison purposes.

1 Location affects estimators only for property taxes.

2 Payroll taxes include federal Social Security & Medicare, but not local levies.

3 "Other taxes" includes any relevant business tax that would apply to the business scenario used in the example, including state franchise taxes or sales & use taxes on current purchases. Table source: Business Oregon website.

Workers Compensation Insurance

According to the Workers' Compensation Division of Oregon OSHA, compensation costs, already among the lowest in the nation, will drop in 2017 for the fourth-straight year. th lowest in the county, highly favorable compared to portion of the premium employers pay insurers to cover anticipated claims costs for job-related injuries and deaths. State officials attribute the decrease to a focus on improving worker safety, getting injured workers treated and back on the job quickly, as well as the initial impact of medical cost control strategies. The currently the lowest it has been in 20 years, making this cost among the lowest in the country for employers. For manufacturers in places like California, the cost savings of -figure annual savings on this one cost factor alone

Employment Trends

3.3% in 2016 according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. This was more than double the pace of national growth (1.5%) and the second-fastest among all states. A year earlier, in 2015, Or test in the nation at 4.5%, while during that same year, Central Oregon's GDP Grew by 6.9%. Additionally, Bend9.1% from 2015-2016, while the US average grew by only 3%.

Unemployment Trends

Regarded as a lagging indicator by most economists, this chart provides a five-year perspective on unemployment in the Tri-County area. Since early 2011, unemployment rates have been reduced significantly. Central Oregon is currently experiencing some of the lowest unemployment rates ever recorded in the region. As of May 2017, Deschutes County's unemployment rate dropped to its lowest ever at 3.6%, with Crook County at 5.7%, and Jefferson County's rate at 5.2%, its lowest since June 2008 and a statistically significant strong in-migration job creation typically lags population growth, a reason why historically, Orenational rate. However, that is no longer the case.

HOUSING / REAL ESTATE TRENDS Average Monthly Rent

The Central Oregon rental market continues to face heightened demand in the midst of constrained supply. According to the Central Oregon Rental Owners Association (COROA), the overall vacancy rate is 1.50% (as of May 2016), down from 12.4% in 2009.

The high demand has exerted pressure on prices and a growing interest in multi-family residential construction, particularly in Bend and Redmond. In the last year, two and three-bedroom rental houses increased more on a percentage basis than apartments and duplexes. 2016 average rent prices for a three-bedroom home were up slightly from 2015 in nearly all Central Oregon communities. Our expectation is that 2017 annual rental figures will be up sharply in Bend, Redmond, Sisters, and Prineville amidst strong in-migration and near record low vacancies.

2015 Median Residential Home Sale Comparison

Home Prices

As with much of the rest of the country, residential property prices peaked to all-time highs in 2006-2007 and declined in value by as much 40% in the following years. Prices are now rebounding substantially - both median and average home prices increased in 2017 across the region and are currently at or above all-time highs.

(It is noteworthy to mention that prices in Sunriver and Sisters include a much higher percentage of high-end homes and homes on acreage than comparable prices in Bend or Redmond.)

Commercial and Industrial Real Estate Market Trends

In their quarterly

POINTS report, Compass Commercial Real Estate observes that 2014 marked the beginning of the end of the recession for the office market. Retail and office sectors are experiencing historically low vacancy rates in all commercial real estate secretail land by 815 acres. Absorp rate falling again from 4.6% to 3.7%, with nearly 434,000 sq. ft. of space leased since the fourth quarter of 2010.

Activity in the industrial market (approximately 5.72 million sq. ft. in Bend and Redmond) has been strong. As of the end market has also performed well in the recovery, with a current vacancy rate of 2.9% at the end of Q1. Ten of the last eleven quarters have shown increasing occupancy in the Redmond industrial market. Building activity is steadily increasing throughout Central Oregon. As a result, the number of building permits issued for new commercial construction, remodels, additions, and repurposing is increasing rapidly, construction prices are on the increase and rents, particularly for newer properties, are climbing.

Land Prices, Lease Rates & Construction Costs

Land costs in the region are rebounding after seeing as much as 50% value reductions resulting from the Great Recession. Costs do vary by community, with Crook and Jefferson Counties generally having lower land and lease costs. In Deschutes County, La Pine costs are lowest and comparable with Crook and Jefferson Counties. Several years of strong demand for retail, office, and light industrial space are pushing vacancies down and rents higher in 2017.

Tax Rates

Tax rates in Sisters range from 15.8% in the city limits to as low as 11.4% just outside of town. These rates are lower than Bend and Redmond. The specific tax codes that apply to property in the Sisters area vary according to an array of factors including the type of property, amount of acreage, and proximity to Sisters city limits. For more information about tax -6508.

Financial Institutions & Deposits

Three bank branches are located in Sisters. Additionally, 14 financial institutions with over 40 branch locations are present in Bend and have a wide range of financial services available.

Banks in Sisters

First Interstate U.S. Bank

Washington Federal Savings

Central Oregon is home to 16 financial institutions which collectively have 64 branches in the region. In addition to these banks and credit unions, there are a number of alternative financial resources that can be found on incentives. Alternative financing includes a number of organizations with local offices that work closely with banks and credit unions including Business Oregon, Craft3, and Oregon Certified Business Development Organization. The total FDIC-insured deposit base as of June 30, 2016 (the most current data available) was $3.06 billion. Reflecting higher than average deposit wealth, Central Oregon also supports a significant number of financial planning and investment firms. Many of these firms also provide wealth management for clients nationwide.

Population

Population Forecast

1.56% from 2015 to 2016 was again dominated by net migration (movers-in outpaced movers-out). Similarly, but even more dramatic, in-migration trends prevail in the Tri-County area.

In 2016, Deschutes County was the 6th fastest growing county in the U.S. Bend more than doubled in size between 1990 and 2000 and grew by 47% between 2000 and 2010. While growth flattened between 2010 and 2012, signs over the past 24 months point to a pickup of in-migration and business a ctivity across the region.

Tri-County Population by Age

Ages 0-17

Ages 1864

Since 2010, Crook County has grown at a very slow pace after dramatic growth between 1990 and 2010. Since 2000, Jefferson County has grown at a steady rate that exceeds that of Oregon and the nation. The United States Census recentl tion estimates.

Forecast Program released a population forecast for the Tri-County region of an estimated 416,764 people by 2065 the first of its kind in many years. Deschutes County, the fastest growing county in the state, will be home to about 357,345 people in 2065, with 194,793 of them in greater Bend, lation. The population in Jefferson County in 2065 will reach n- crease over 2016.

Overall, population forecasters expect the region to continue to be a very dynamic part of the state and country.

Education

Public Schools

Sisters School District #6 is one of the most successful and highly acclaimed school districts of its size in the state of Oregon, not only for academics, activities, and sports, but also for community support and parent involvement, and business partnership support. Because of the exceptional community support, the Sisters School District is able to offer it s students highly unique programs such as; Interdisciplinary Environmental Expedition (IEE), The Americana Project, a Young Wings Flight Instruction Course, a luthier program, Advanced Placement and honors classes, C.T.E. / S.T.E.A.M. courses, Pursue Your Passion and Future Business Leaders of America (pre-business programs), remedial offerings in core subjects, all-day kindergarten, Arts, and foreign languages.

The Sisters School District includes Sisters and the surrounding area. Sisters Elementary, Sisters Middle School, and Sisters High School serve a student community of over 1,700 students.

Due to low student-faculty ratios (smaller class sizes) Si sters schools are regionally renowned for high quality and individual attention to students. Of the 62 teachers, all meet Highly Qualified standards, over 63% hold a

To view the current State School Report Cards, click on the links below. District: http://www.sisters.k12.or.us/files/_FIKo2_/854932fa3db0974a3745a49013852ec4/2013-14SSD_Report_Card.pdf

SES: http://www.sisters.k12.or.us/files/_FIKli_/3bc21b8c8155e0403745a49013852ec4/2013-14-SES_Report_Card.pdf

SMS: http://www.sisters.k12.or.us/files/_FIKhx_/59ef9e888f6b69683745a49013852ec4/2013-14-SMS_Report_Card.pdf

SHS: http://www.sisters.k12.or.us/files/_FIKht_/fc178c12e636dc673745a49013852ec4/2013-14-SHS_Report_Card.pdf

For more information, visit www.sisters.k12.or.us.

Private Schools

Sisters Christian Academy and Mountain Montessori offer quality programs and education to Sisters (and outlying areas) families. Sisters Christian Academy serves the needs of students through eighth grade.

Demand for Higher Education

Private

The populace of Central Oregon has a strong interest in pursuing higher education and improving their vocational skills. The last several years, demand for higher base, a recovery from the national economic recession, and job training and re-training. Additionally, OSU-Cascades Campus is gaining in reputation, attracting more students, and expanding its program offerings.

EDCO works in partnership with Central Oregon Community College (COCC) and OSU-Cascades to ensure that program Board.

Central Oregon Community College (COCC)

Central Oregon Community College operates campuses in Bend, Redmond, Madras, and Prineville. Founded in 1949, COCC (www.cocc.edu st community college. The College offers two-year associate degrees, transfer/lower division programs, career and technical education degrees and certificates, developmental courses, continuing education and community learning classes, industry-specific training programs and business management assistance. The COCC District covers a 10,000-square-mile area that encompasses all of Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties, the southern part of Wasco, and the northern portions of and Lake Counties. A seven-member board of directors governs the College, with members of that board elected from geographic zones in the District. ry-specific courses and workshops tailored to professional development.

The 201-acre Bend campus includes 26 buildings with a total of 575,000 square feet under roof. The newest buildings are the Jungers Culinary Center, funded primarily by private donations and opened in 2011, and the Health Careers Ce nter and Science Center, funded by a voter-approved bond measure, both opened in fall 2012.

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) operated b y businesses. SBDC provides programs such as counseling and market research assistance for entrepreneurs at the earliest stages of development. epartment delivers industry-specific courses and workshops llege also offers a wide range of continuing education for personal and professional development.

The COCC Redmond Campus sits on 25-acres near the Redmond Airport and includes four buildings to serve students with a variety of career programs, educational opportunities, and transfer eligible classes. This past year, approximately 2,400 students enrolled in one or more credit classes in Redmond. In addition to the wide range of services and college courses

26,000-square-foot technical training facility with certificate and degree programs readying students for jobs in the manuTechnician program.

The COCC regional Technology Education Center offers classes for population at the Redmond Campus. This 34,000-square-foot facility, planned and developed with industry participation, is home to a two-year degree option in Automotive Technology in Electronics and Diagnostics (TED). For more information: www.cocc.edu/redmond or 541-504-2900.

Enrollment at COCC has increased dramatically over the years, doubling in the last few years as increasing numbers of area residents turned to the College for education and training after the economic downturn. A record number of students have been earning certificates and degrees, then transferring to four-year colleges and universities or moving into jobs locally using skills learned in the career and technical education programs.

Oregon State University Cascades

With a campus so new the paint is still drying, their first 1,200 students, 3,000 alumni, and community supporters are realizing a 30-year, grassroots effort to bring a four-year university to Central Oregon.

OSU-Cascades opened its 10-acre campus in Bend at the start of the fall term in 2016. Located in the heart of Central Oregon, a vast natural laboratory, OSU-Cascades offers 16 undergraduate and four graduate degrees, including signature programs in energy systems engineering, tourism and outdoor leadership, and hospitality management.

The Energy Systems Engineering Management program is unique in the state, preparing graduates for a broad range of careers in the energy industry. The Computer Science degree was developed with considerable industry input -Cascades is now offering an executive leadership MBA program through O MBA takes about two years and is delivered in a hybrid format, blending faceto-face with online sessions and is designed for busy professionals. The university also aims to launch additional MBA programs.

OSU- llment is slated to grow to 3,000 to 5,000 students by 2025 to meet state educational attainment goals, The campus will serve students from Central Oregon, as well as Oregon, the U.S., and international destinations.

Additional Colleges and Universities

Additional accredited academic institutions have a presence in Central Oregon, typically combining evening and occasional weekend classes in conjunction with distance learning

University of Oregon is offering its Executive MBA program at its Bend location (503-276-3622)

Eastern Oregon University Division of Distance Education (541-385-1137)

George Fox University (1-800-631-0921)

Linfield College - Central Oregon Center (541-388-2986)

Oregon Institute of Technology

Utilities Serving Sisters

Electric Companies

Central Electric Cooperative (CEC) a member-owned cooperative, is the provider of electric power in Sisters. CEC has over 31,000 customers in the largely rural areas of Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson, Grant, Linn, Wasco and Lake Counties. For more information visit: http://www.cec.coop national average. For industrial customers, Central Oregon providers offer rates up to nearly 16% below the U.S. average and nearly 50% below those in neighboring California. CEC was able to hold rates steady in 2012 despite increasing wholesale rates from Bonneville Power Administration to its public utility customers. As a result, CEC residential rates remain below those charged by the utilities.

Water System & Rates

wells that tap into a readily accessible underground aquifer. With an average daily use of 650,000 gallons and 978 residential hookups, the water demands of Sisters are easily summer increases dramatically to approximately 1.5 million gallons daily because of the 8,000 seasonal residents and tourists in the area. Utilizing an above-ground reservoir with a capacity of 1.6 million gallons, Sisters has the infrastructure in place to meet even the highest summer demand. In addition, the city holds water rights for future expansion. Currently, Sisters has water rights and capacity to pump 4.15 million gallons per day. The City of Sisters provides low-income rates for households that qualify.

Monthly rates include a fixed charge based on meter size. For more information please contact Sisters utility billing at (541) 549-6022.

Sewer Rates

municipal wastewater system conveys and treats an average of 200,000 gallons per day of domestic, commercial, and industrial wastewater. The modern treatment plant is designed for a capacity of 475,0 00 gallons per day.

Monthly Sewer Rates (per EDU)

Sewer rates in Sisters vary on the type of entity served. Single-family residential customers are charged one Equivalent Dwelling Unit per month. Commercial entities are charged based on their average winter consumption. As such, rates vary between companies. Please contact City of Sisters Finance Department at (541) 323-5209 for more information.

Telecommunication

The town of Sisters lives up to the excellent area standards of leading-edge telecommunication services. Like Bend, Redmond, and the rest of Central Oregon, Sisters boasts highend specialized data and telecommunications providers with extensive fiber-based infrastructure throughout the city and region.

Source: City of Sisters Sisters Communications Providers

Local companies provide services with access options including landline (copper), fiber optics, and wireless (WiFi, WiMax, HSPA+ and secure microwave). DSL, ISDN, Frame Relay, ATM and Metro Ethernet services along with the traditional high capacity TDM services (T1, T3, and OCx) are available from a number of these providers.

Health Services

best characteristics. Sisters, along with the rest of Central Oregon, has ready access to a high concentration of world-class physicians and specialists attracted to Central Oregon for its great quality-of- ogy and orthopedics

St. Charles Health System owns and operates medical centers in Redmond, Madras, and Bend (Oregon's only Level II Trauma Center east of the Cascades) and leases and operates Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Prineville. St. Charles Family Care clinic in Sisters offers patient care, out-patient surgery, and an array of services for family and individual needs. Critical care and a variety of specialized services are also readily available at healthcare facilities in Bend and Redmond.

A short 25-minute drive from Sisters, St. Charles Medical Center in Bend is a fully accredited, 261-bed hospital with 2,822 medical staff and employees, offering Sisters residents advanced care. Services include 24-hour emergency care, intensive/cardiac care, physical, respiratory and nutritional therapy, radiology, surgery and an on-campus rehabilitation center. In addition, St. Charles Medical Center offers cancer care, cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, stroke care, and weight loss surgery. High-tech leading-edge servi

Over the years, St. Charles Health System has been recognized as the primary provider of quality healthcare for patients in Central and Eastern Oregon. In 2012, Thomson Reuters recognized St. Charles as one of the best health systems in the nation for quality and efficiency for the fourth year running.

Healthcare Locations in Sisters: Bend Memorial Clinic-Sisters Clinic

231 E. Cascade Ave., Sisters, OR 97759 | 541-549-0303

High Lakes Health Care-Osteopathic 354 W. Adams Ave., Sisters, OR 97759 | 541-549-9609

St. Charles Medical Center-Sisters Clinic

Sisters Clinic: 615 N. Arrowleaf Trail, Sisters, OR 97759 | 541-549-1318

Healthcare Locations outside Sisters: 2500 N.E. Neff Rd., Bend OR 97701 | 541-382-4321 1253 N.W. Canal Blvd., Redmond OR 97756 | 541-548-8131

Sisters also has health experts in the fields of; Physical Therapy, Chiropractic care, Acupuncture, Massage, Dentistry, Orthodontia, Optometry, and Veterinary Medicine.

Transportation

Motor Freight

Sisters is located on a major federal freight route 20 miles west of Bend, 109 miles east of Salem, and 100 miles northeast of Eugene. Hwy 126 intersects Sisters and connects the city with points west (Salem and terminating in Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast) and points east (Boise). Hwy 242 branches off Hwy 20 to Eugene; both highways connect Sisters to the I-5 corridor, the major north-south route connecting Washington and California. Sisters also has quick access to Hwy 97 which provides an alternate north-south route, ultimately connecting with I-5 in northern California and east-west I-84 in northern Oregon. Local freight rates are quite favorable as consumption in the region is disproportionate to p roduction/distribution. Freight lines are looking to fill outbound trucks.

General Aviation - Sisters Airport

Sisters Eagle Air Airport is located one mile north of downtown Sisters and is categorized by the Oregon Department of Aviation as Category IV (local general aviation airport). While privately owned by Sisters Eagle Ai r, Inc. and managed by Benny Benson of ENERGYneering Solutions, Inc ., the airport is open to public use. It is also used for EMS, and wildfire aircraft support. The runway dimensions are 3550 x 60 ft. / 1082 x 18 m.

Though originally built in 1936, the Sisters Airport was re-paved, updated, and improved in 2013 and is fast becoming a center for local businesses. Several successful traded-sector companies, including ENERGYneering, have their headquarters at the airport. In the spring of 2014, the airport property was annexed into the City of Sisters. Through this publicprivate partnership, the airport and its key companies, have plans to expand commercially/industrially, and with an array of benefits and perks for pilots.

Commercial Air & Freight Services

Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM; www.flyrdm.com) provides commercial air service with 23 flights daily to Denver, Los Angeles, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and Seattle via four carriers (Alaska, American, Delta, and United). Considerable investment has been made at RDM in recent years including a $40 million terminal expansion, expanded passenger parking (to over 1,000 places) and tarmac and runway reconstruction.

The Airport is home to the USDA Forest Service Redmond Air Center, Cascade Aviation Management, Life Flight, Butler Aviation, Les Schwab, Bonneville Power, RDD Enterprises, Lancair, and Henderson Aviation. RDM also provides air cargo services and hosts general aviation traffic, including extensive corporate and business travel. Fed Ex, United Parcel Service, and the USPS provide air freight and package express services.

FIRE & EMERGENCY SERVICES

The Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District, cr eated in 1937, is a combination career and volunteer fire district with fire coverage of over 240 square miles and ambulance service area of approximately 2,000 square miles. The main station is located within the city limits of Sisters and there are three substations in surrounding areas.

The fire district serves approximately 5,400 permanent residents with a seasonal population up to 20,000 people d uring the summer months. The Fire District currently employs 8 Firefighter Paramedics as well as working closely with a wide array of volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians. Sisters is covered by AirLink and Life Flight of Oregon air-ambulance services based in Bend and Redmond.

Parks

The picturesque town of Sisters is set in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains and close in proximity to bountiful recreational opportunities. The City of Sisters maintains twelve (9 developed and 3 undeveloped) lovely spacious parks (including a fun new water play park) in the city limits and all within walking distance of downtown. The City also maintains a campground facility at Creekside Park with several tent and RV hook-up sites less than a ½ mile to downtown.

In addition, the Sisters Park and Recreation District (SPRD) provide a wide variety of classes, tournaments, and recreational opportunities to people of all ages.

The Sisters Community Trail system is built and maintained by volunteers, operating as an independent community par tner program of the SPRD, and works closely with the US Forest Service and other organizations to implement its plan for over 200 miles of trails. The organization combines the interests of walkers, hikers, cyclists, and equestrians in Sisters Country.

RESORTS & LODGING

Nestled beneath shady ponderosa pines on 15 acres on the edge of Sisters, FivePine Lodge and Conference Center is the culmination of the local Willitts ones they love. The FivePine campus offers world-class lodging at the main lodge as well as numerous luxuriously appointed Craftsman style cabins. In addition, Rio (a Mexican food restaurant), Three Creeks Brewery, Shibui Spa, Sisters Athletic Club, Sisters Movie House, and several health -related professional service businesses occupy commercial spaces on or near the property.

Just seven miles west of Sisters, the 1800-acre Black Butte Ranch Resort defines the classic destination resort. On the Ranch, visitors can play golf (36 holes of championship mountain golf), walk the eight miles of well-maintained trails, and take advantage of the spa and award-winning restaurants, as well as a wide variety of family recreational activities. Off the Ranch, the 1.6 million acre Deschutes National Forest beckons, offering hiking, mountain biking, fly-fishing, whitewater rafting and winter skiing and snowshoeing.

Eight miles north of Sisters and situated on the banks of the rushing Metolius River is Camp Sherman. Two upscale resorts--the Metolius River Resort and privately-owned river cabins at Lake Creek Lodge appeal to those trying to get away from it all and enjoy the tranquility of this forested enclave. Both provide immediate access premier fly-fishing on the challenging Metolius River and, among other pursuits, hiking, and biking along miles of nearby trails.

Several other Sisters lodging options are available and listed with the Sisters Chamber of Commerce .

Recreation

On the outskirts of the Deschutes National Forest, Jefferson National Wilderness, and Crooked River National Gra ssland, Sisters is an outdoors mecca for sportsmen and tourists from all over the world.

Mountain bike trails traverse through a wide range of terrain around Sisters and provide options for riders of all abilities. The 25-mile Peterson Ridge Trail south of Sisters consists of a web of interconnected trails of easy to middle difficulty; the mostly downhill 35-mile Sisters to Smith Rock Scenic Bikeway offers rolling terrain along the Deschutes River and dramatic views. In addition, there are two scenic bikeways, McKenzie Pass and Camp Sherman, in the area. The Suttle Tie Trail begins 10 miles west of town past Black Butte and finishes with a loop around Suttle Lake; the 11-mile loop of 99 Trailmile McKenzie River Trail, is 40 minutes away over the Santiam Pass and is so challenging it is usually ridden as a shuttle. Cyclists flock to Sisters Country for the many road routes in and around the area as well as the miles of singl e-track dedicated to mountain biking. Sisters has a Bicycle Friendly designation and has three scenic bike routes in the area.

If Central Oregon is a , Sisters Country boasts three of the best 18-hole courses around. Rated 4.5 stars by Golf Digest Magazine , Aspen Lakes is a "must play" golf course when visiting Central Oregon. Aspen Lakes is a challenging but fair course that features beautiful views of the Cascades Mountains from expansive fairways. The Big Meadow Golf Course, designed by Robert Muir Graves and stretching over 7,000 yards, has received numerous awards including the 2013 honor by GolfWeek Magazine The not-to-be-missed 14th hole gives way to a dramatic view of Three Fingered Jack, a jagged volcanic peak rising above the Central Oregon landscape. Also at Black Butte Ranch, Glaze Meadow is an unforgettable course, carved out of pine forest with seven snowcapped mountains towering above. It reopened in 2012 after an extensive $3.75 million renovation by architect John Fought.

Sisters is just a short drive to Hoodoo Ski Resort, the most centrally located winter sports area in Oregon. At the summit Hoodoo offers a wide range of terrain, affordable prices, and a family-friendly atmosphere. The world-class ski resort of Mount Bachelor is also only a short distance from Sisters and provides an immediately accessible big-mountain experience with manageable crowds. Hikers from all over the Pacific Northwest come to Sisters to backpack, hunt, ski, fish, and experience many other outstanding recreational opportunities.

Set in the Three Sisters Wilderness Area, the 82 mile loop on the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway has the highest concentration of snowcapped volcanoes in the con tinental U.S. The Byway winds through beautiful forests, offers numerous hiking trails and outlooks of three spectacular waterfalls (Proxy, Sahalie, and Koosah Falls), along with some of the best foliage viewing in the state.

Special Events

Among a non-stop calendar throughout the year, four signature events have achieved national status: http://www.sisters.k12.or.us/pages/Sisters_SD/Sisters_Starry_Nights/Who_Starry_Nights_-_Our_Artist

Celebrating its 75th year in 2015, the Sisters Rodeo attracts world champion cowboys and cowgirls to compet e in all the events of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Associati on and is held the second weekend in June.

The largest outdoor quilt show in the world, the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show is on the second weekend of July. Started in 1975, the show attracts approximately 12,500 visitors and has an economic impact of $1.7 million.

Held the first weekend of September, the Sisters Folk Festival delights lovers of music genres ranging from blues to folk to Celtic to bluegrass from all over the world. Part of the charm of this three-day festival is the ability to stroll from venue to venue to hear world-class musicians and songwriters.

Started in 1997, the Sisters Starry Nights concert in May serves as an important fundraiser for the school system. Prior events have featured performances graciously donated by top artists including Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Lyle Lovett, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald and Keb Mo. Click on the link below for a full list of the generous artists that have performed at the Sisters High School Auditorium to benefit Sisters Schools.

TOPOGRAPHY & CLIMATE

With an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, Sisters enjoys the climate typical of the high desert. Sisters, along with the rest of Central Oregon, is one of the driest and sunniest places in the Pacific sters a readily accessible reservoir of fresh water generated by snowmelt. By meeting the Tree City, USA standards, the City of Sisters received recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its urban forestry management practices.

Sisters is the gateway to the dramatic Cascade Mountain range just over 10 miles away but is sheltered from much of the rain and snow in the mountains. Sisters has four distinct seasons and average annual precipitation is just less than . Snow is on the ground during winter months, with January usually receiving the most snowfall.

At 3200 feet, Sisters lies approximately 400 feet below Bend to the south and nearly 1000 feet and proximity to vast areas of national forest provides for spectacular views of the volcanoes of the East Cascades, including the Three Sisters and Mt. Jefferson.

Summer temperatures average a high of 85° Fahrenheit and a low of 42°. Winter temperatures range from an average high of 47° to an average low of 20°.

Bend, Oregon Weather Profile

Travel Distances From Sisters

Sisters is situated at the intersection of the Santiam (US 20) and the McKenzie (OR 242) highways. It is located 20 miles west of Bend, 109 miles east of Salem, and 100 miles northeast of Eugene.

From Sisters, residents can reach virtually any Central Oregon community within an hour. Major cities on the western side of the Cascades are two to three hours away. Other major West Coast cities Seattle, Boise and San Francisco are all accessed by a full

Commute Time

Drive times in Central Oregon are very manageable. Because the Tri-County area workforce is truly regional, it not unusual for individuals to drive from Sisters to Bend or Redmond for work.

Business Resources

Resources in Sisters:

Organizations Services

Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce

541-549-0251 | www.sisterscountry.com

City of Sisters

541-549-6022 | www.ci.sisters.or.us/index.html

Sisters Branch of Deschutes Library

541-617-7087 | 110 North Cedar St. | www.deschuteslibrary.org

EDCO Sisters Economic Development

Caprielle Foote-Lewis, Manager

541-977-5683 | www.edcoinfo.com

Other Resources:

Sisters business information

Sisters Area businesses

Permitting, planning, zoning, and building questions

Community Development, Public Works, and city parks information

Business librarians offer entrepreneurs, small business market research

Provides meeting space at no charge for the Sisters area

Organizations Services

Abilitree

541-388-8103 | www.abilitree.org

AdFed of Central Oregon

541-385-1992 | www.adfedco.org

Business Oregon

541-388-3236 | www.oregon4biz.com

City Club of Central Oregon

541-633-7163 | www.cityclubco.com

HRACO (Human Resource Association of Central Oregon)

541-382-6946 | www.HRCentralOregon.org

Inventors Northwest

541-317-1154 www.coin ventorsgroup.ning.com

NEW (Network of Entrepreneurial Women)

541-350-9135 | ww.networkwomen.org

Opportunity Knocks

541-318-4650 | www.opp-knocks.org

Oregon Employer Council Central OR

541-749-4011 | www.oregon.gov/EMPLOY/OEC

Tech Alliance

541-409-6560 | www.techallianceco.org

COCC (Central Oregon Community College) 541-383-7700 | www.cocc.edu

Last updated people with disabilities looking for employment and job placement for people with disabilities the state level via the Global Strategy Team civic engagement

-related topics including continuing education

-on-one consulting opportunities and personal growth opportunities for women

, and key employees

-to-peer problem solving

-Up groups, events, & education for tech professionals

-cost office space that fosters collaboration between tenants

-year associate degree programs as well as technical training

Provides a range of continuing education and personal development programs

MATC (Manufacturing and Applied Technology Center)

541-504-2933 | www.cocc.edu

COIC (Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council)

541-548-8163 | www.coic.org

Deschutes County

541-388-6584 | www.deschutes.org

EDCO (Economic Development for Central Oregon)

541-388-3236 | www.edcoinfo.com ing, quality assurance, etc. ) the needs of a specific business

Manages economic development fund in partnership with EDCO

Venture Catalyst Program

Grow 3 Degrees

541-388-3236 | www.grow3degrees.org

OSU-Cascades Campus (Oregon State University)

541-322-3100 | www.osucascades.edu

SBDC (Small Business Development Center)

541-383-7290 | www.cocc.edu/sbdc

SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) 541-388-3236 | www.centraloregon.score.org

Vocational Rehab

541-388-6336 | www.oregon.gov/dhs/vr

Worksource Bend (Oregon Employment Department) 541-388-6050 | www.worksourceoregon.org

Resources in the state of Oregon

Recruits traded-sector companies to relocate to Central Oregon Provides comprehensive assistance to expanding compani es early-stage companies with investors, resources, guidance Manage PubTalk events and the Bend Venture Conference ource for demographics and statistics on business dynamics

541-388-3236 | www.edcoinfo.com early-stage companies entrepreneurial ecosystem in Central Oregon

, primarily for manufacturing and office processes , industry roundtables programs

No cost, confidential business advice for entrepreneurs, small businesses urces (special expertise in international trade, government contracting, etc.)

No cost business education and mentorship, pairing retired executives with business owners and founders

Many valuable templates and tools on national website employment data

Organizations Services

Business Oregon

541-388-3236 | www.oregon4biz.com

OMEP (Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership) 541-350-7429 | www.omep.org the state level via the Global Strategy Team

Training for manufacturers in leadership development, workforce engagement

Emphasizes implementation of lean manufacturing principles