EDCO - Economic Development for Central Oregon

What EDCO - Economic Development for Central Oregon does

EDCO (Economic Development for Central Oregon) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit economic development organization founded in 1981 and headquartered in Bend, Oregon. It serves the tri-county Central Oregon region (Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties) through three core initiatives — Move (attracting and guiding businesses relocating to the region), Start (mentoring entrepreneurs from concept to exit), and Grow (supporting existing traded-sector companies). Services are provided free of charge to businesses and include site selection support, tax incentive navigation, workforce recruitment assistance, and access to capital networks. The organization operates through dedicated area directors physically embedded in each of the six Central Oregon communities and is supported by a network of formalized partnerships with municipal governments, higher education institutions (OSU-Cascades, COCC), healthcare systems, utilities, and transportation providers.

EDCO's revenue model is a membership-based non-profit structure funded by both public and private sector members, with membership tiers ranging from $415 (Individual/Bronze) to $10,500 (Platinum) annually. The organization currently has 11–50 employees (16 named in the data) with 150+ years of collective staff experience. Its signature program is the Bend Venture Conference (BVC), the Pacific Northwest's largest angel investment conference, which awarded $596,200 to eight companies in 2025 and draws 2,500+ attendees annually. Complementary programs include Central Oregon PubTalk networking events, an Annual Luncheon, a Member Directory of 323 organizations, and an Economic Indicators Dashboard.

The organization does not operate proprietary technology products; rather, it coordinates a regional economic development ecosystem and leverages standard digital communication channels (website, email newsletter, social media, event platforms) to deliver services. Underlying infrastructure advantages promoted by EDCO for the region include electricity rates 14% below national average, no state sales tax, fiber connectivity, regional airport access to 13 destinations, and direct rail freight via BNSF and Union Pacific. Cumulative track record since 2016 includes $4.67 billion in new capital investment and 3,493 jobs created/retained, with a current pipeline of 3,925 pending projects. The Bend-Redmond MSA has held Milken Institute Top-10 Best Performing Small Cities status for 10 consecutive years, ranking #4 in both 2025 and 2026.

Name

EDCO - Economic Development for Central Oregon

Legal name

Economic Development for Central Oregon

Website

https://edcoinfo.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

EDCO is a Bend, Oregon-based non-profit economic development organization founded in 1981 that provides free business relocation, entrepreneurial, and growth services across the Central Oregon tri-county region, funded by a 323-member membership network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bend

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: EDCO is funded by both the public and private sectors through membership fees. Members represent the depth and diversity of Central Oregon communities, including business leaders, supporters, and advocates. Membership tiers range from Platinum ($10,500) to Individual ($415).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

EDCO is a non-profit economic development organization that recruits new employers to Central Oregon (Move), supports entrepreneurs launching scalable businesses (Start), and helps existing traded-sector companies grow (Grow). All services are provided free to businesses, funded by tiered membership subscriptions from public and private sector members. Core programs include the Bend Venture Conference angel investment forum, PubTalk networking events, Member Directory, and area director-based personalized support across six Central Oregon communities.

Product overview

EDCO (Economic Development for Central Oregon) is a non-profit economic development organization, not a software product company. EDCO provides a suite of business support services organized around three core initiatives: Move (attracting and guiding businesses through relocation), Start (mentoring and advising scalable young companies), and Grow (supporting existing local traded-sector companies). Key programs include the Bend Venture Conference (BVC) for investor connections, Central Oregon PubTalk for networking, a Member Directory for business connections, and an Economic Indicators dashboard. All services are free, funded by membership contributions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Relocation Services
• Entrepreneurial Support Programs
• Bend Venture Conference (BVC)
• Central Oregon PubTalk
• EDCO Member Directory
• Economic Indicators Dashboard
• Business Growth Support

Quantifiable outcome

• $49.55 million new capital investment in FY 2022-2023
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Oregon State University - CascadescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSU-Cascades is a key higher education partner in Central Oregon, offering 25 undergraduate and 4 graduate degrees. The university powers the economy with skilled workers in high-tech, bioscience, healthcare, and outdoor products industries. EDCO collaborates with OSU-Cascades on workforce development and innovation initiatives.
• Central Oregon Community College (COCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOCC is the oldest two-year college in Oregon, serving over 12,000 students annually at campuses in Bend, Redmond, Madras, and Prineville. COCC provides workforce training and education support for Central Oregon businesses.
• Small Business Development Center (SBDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBDC provides small business consulting, training, and technical assistance. Collaborates with EDCO on startup support and entrepreneurial development programs.
• Opportunity KnockscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmall business incubator providing mentorship, workspace, and business support services for Central Oregon entrepreneurs. EDCO mentors advise companies through this platform.
• BNSF RailwayminorOthersFreight rail provider offering direct connections for shipping to any market in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Part of Central Oregon's transportation infrastructure.
• Union PacificminorOthersFreight rail provider complementing transportation network with competitive rates and efficient logistics for businesses shipping across North America.
• Redmond Municipal AirportminorOthersCentral Oregon regional airport providing 30 daily flights via American Airlines, Alaska Air, Breeze Airways, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines. Currently being expanded to meet growing demands.
• St. Charles Health SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLargest healthcare provider in Central Oregon, operating four hospitals and over 100 clinics. Recognized for outstanding achievements in pulmonary care. Major employer and healthcare service provider for the region.
• Summit Health OregoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLargest multispecialty group in Central Oregon with nine locations and more than 150 providers. Physician-led, professionally managed, patient-centric network.
• Bend-La Pine School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic K-12 district serving Bend area. Average SAT scores surpassed national average by 57 points in 2022. Provides career and technical education through CTE programs working closely with local businesses.
• Central Electric CooperativeminorOthersElectric cooperative providing electricity rates approximately 14% below national average. Supports business operational cost reduction.
• Pacific PowerminorOthersRegional electric utility providing reliable energy services for Central Oregon businesses.
• City of BendcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity government partner supporting economic development initiatives. Provides business-friendly policies and infrastructure for Central Oregon businesses.
• City of RedmondcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity government partner hosting REDI (Redmond Economic Development, Inc.), an EDCO local office. Supports business relocation and growth in Redmond.
• City of PrinevillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity government partner known for nationally-acclaimed technology and infrastructure projects. Hosts Meta data center and advanced manufacturing companies.
• City of MadrascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity government partner in Jefferson County offering high quality water, affordable housing, and vibrant community for businesses.
• City of SisterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity government partner focused on becoming Oregon's artisanal capital with entrepreneurial-minded artists and makers.
• Crook CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty government partner including Prineville, known for technology projects and Meta data center presence.
• Jefferson CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty government partner including Madras, offering industrial development sites and workforce programs.
• Cascades East TransitminorOthersRegional transit provider supporting Central Oregon transportation infrastructure.
• Central Oregon Pediatric Associates (COPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegion's pediatric center of excellence, ranked as a 5-Star patient-centered primary care home by Oregon Health Authority.
• Providence Health PlanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare provider offering health insurance plans for Central Oregon employers.
• Crook County School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic school district providing K-12 education and career technical education in Crook County.
• Jefferson County School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic school district providing K-12 education in Jefferson County communities.
• Redmond School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic school district serving Redmond and surrounding areas with education and career programs.
• Sisters School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic school district serving the Sisters community with focus on quality education.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation: The San Diego Regional EDC is a public-private partnership that supports business growth, attraction, and innovation across San Diego County through employer outreach and capital-connection programs analogous to EDCO's services.
• Metro Atlanta Chamber: The Metro Atlanta Chamber operates a regional economic development arm that recruits companies, supports startups, and convenes investors across metro Atlanta, operating on a similar dues + sponsor model serving traded-sector targets.
• Greater Cleveland Partnership: Greater Cleveland Partnership is a regional civic and economic development non-profit that helps companies locate, expand, and connect with talent in Northeast Ohio using a similar dues-funded, multi-stakeholder model.
• Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce: The Nashville Area Chamber includes an economic development function that recruits employers and supports startups/relocations for the Nashville MSA via member-funded operations, closely paralleling EDCO's Move/Start/Grow initiatives.
• Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC): GPEC is a non-profit, public-private partnership that drives regional economic development for Greater Phoenix through business attraction, retention, and expansion services, mirroring EDCO's membership-funded, area-director-style service model for traded-sector companies.
• Tacoma-Pierce County Economic Development Board: Tacoma-Pierce EDB is a public-private economic development non-profit serving Pierce County, Washington, focused on business retention and recruitment with a comparable area-director approach to that used by EDCO in Central Oregon.
• Greater Houston Partnership: Greater Houston Partnership is a regional business organization that conducts economic development, research, and advocacy for the Houston region, offering the same combination of employer relocation support, member services, and growth-stage programming as EDCO.
• Birmingham Business Alliance: The Birmingham Business Alliance is a public-private regional economic development organization that recruits, retains, and grows companies in the Birmingham MSA via member-funded operations, paralleling EDCO's mission and structure.

Regional players

• Lane Council of Governments (Lane Economic Development): Lane COG's Economic Development program is an Oregon-based regional body that promotes business development and workforce for the Eugene-Springfield area, comparable as a fellow Oregon regional economic development entity but serving a different sub-region of the state.

Others

• International Economic Development Council (IEDC): IEDC is the professional association for the economic development industry, providing training, certification, and best-practice resources to member EDOs including EDCO; it is adjacent to rather than directly competitive with EDCO.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/edcoinfo
• Facebookfacebook.com/edcoinfo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/edcoinfo
• Instagraminstagram.com/edcoinfo
• Xx.com/edcoinfo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EDCO - Economic Development for Central Oregon