The Bend Vision Project is the First Large-Scale Effort of its Kind in the Region since 2005-06
Envision Bend announced yesterday the formation of its Bend Vision Project, a community-driven engagement and visioning initiative designed to improve the quality of life for everyone in Bend.
The work of the Bend Vision Project will extend into 2023, culminating with the release of a five-year vision action plan. The plan will include strategies, projects and programs and a vision statement that describes the community’s desired future.
Envision Bend will officially launch the project with a series of events in May.
This is the first large-scale community visioning project for the greater Bend area since 2005-06.
“Bend continues to grow and change and is looking at both new challenges and new opportunities as it emerges from the pandemic,” said Laura Fritz, Envision Bend executive director. “The next few years are a critical time to rethink and reposition our community to ensure Bend remains a resilient, healthy and innovative community for generations to come.”
More than a dozen organizations from Deschutes County have signed on as official project partners. Bend Vision Project’s main tasks include collecting and analyzing input from community members and other sources, developing projects and programs and gaining the commitment of lead partner organizations to champion each of the projects and programs in the new plan.
To help gather feedback from residents, the Bend Vision Project will conduct interviews of community leaders and connectors, hold community listening sessions and visioning workshops, launch a public survey and convene a community summit.
“The Bend Vision Project is providing all residents of the greater Bend area with opportunities to come together, to be heard, to frame our community’s needs and to reimagine the Bend area for the future,” Fritz said. “Input from community members will enable us to highlight our community’s values and identify our strengths and weaknesses, as well as identify potential solutions to challenges we face and unique opportunities to seize for our future.”
The five-year action plan will have sections organized around topic areas.
NXT Consulting Group of Bend is assisting Envision Bend with the project.
For more on the Bend Vision Project, visit the Envision Bend website at envisionbend.org or its Facebook page at Facebook.com/EnvisionBend.
Envision Bend is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works with government, business, community groups and people of all backgrounds and perspectives from across the Bend area to help shape our future, making Bend a better place for everyone.
envisionbend.org • info@envisionbend.org • 541-604-8429
