(Photo courtesy of EquipmentShare)
Redmond is a fast-growing market. The population is booming, housing is continually being developed for a variety of income levels, and new businesses are planting their roots or expanding here every year. Not only is there ample space to build, but the proximity to nearby local builders and manufacturers help keep costs and delivery times down.
A prime example of this is Amazon. Amazon announced back in May of this year that they are constructing a 14-acre warehouse in order to speed up deliveries in the region. This facility is the first of its kind in Central Oregon and is expected to become operational in the spring of 2026.
“They are dedicating the resources they need to get it built, and fast,” said EDCO’s Steve Curley, the REDI (Redmond Economic Development Inc.) director for the Central Oregon based nonprofit. “When they first approached us three years ago, their motivation was focused around their brand promise, to get deliveries to customers in a day or two. This allows that premise to expand to Central Oregon.
With more customers in Central Oregon and a growing population, Curley stated that this move just makes sense, but it’s still exciting for the community. The 80,000 square foot facility will help create around 170-plus jobs at peak seasons. The fact that Amazon was interested in building in Redmond in the first place speaks to the growth of the region, and our growing need for services.
On October 23 of this year, nationwide brand EquipmentShare opened their doors in Redmond. EquipmentShare is a leading technology-driven equipment rental and solutions provider across the United States, and their $185 million investment in Oregon is expected to create up to 120 new jobs and bring its total footprint in the state to ten locations, including Redmond.
“REDI is excited to welcome EquipmentShare to the Redmond community,” said Curley. “Their commitment to the Redmond and Central Oregon markets validates the growth we are seeing both in industrial development as well as the residential sector.”
Basalite is another business that is expanding in Redmond. The Northwest-based concrete-products company moved to Redmond a few years ago as they saw opportunity in the growing region. They bought additional land with hopes of expanding, and they are now in phase 2 of their project. Phase 1 involved opening a Redmond showroom, and phase 2 involves moving their actual manufacturing to Redmond, as well, completely localizing the product.
Another business to name is Poltex. Poltex specializes in organizational, space-saving products for hospitals, clinics, laboratories and administrative offices. In addition to their standard product offerings, they also offer custom fabrication where they can design and build virtually any product to suit the exact needs of the end user. All Poltex products are manufactured here in Redmond. According to Curley, Poltex has purchased land in Redmond and is building a new facility for themselves, meaning that they will soon own their own property in Redmond for the first time.
Nosler Inc., a bullet manufacturer in Bend since the 1950s, is planning to pack up and move to a larger facility and site in Redmond. They have a 30,000 square foot facility and are adding an 80,000 square foot building to expand operations. The company will be completely consolidating in Redmond, leaving Bend. According to Curley, they had the intent to move when they first bought property in Bend years ago, and that plan is finally coming to fruition.
Lastly, Medline Renewal may not be expanding their footprint, but they are heavily expanding their workforce. They are looking to hire an additional 70 employees, and have succeeded in finding at least half of that.
On this note, Curley mentioned the job market in Redmond and how it seems to be softening, at least a bit. “What we’ve seen in Redmond and CO is when there have been layoffs, we have enough demand and industry that those folks have been able to bounce back and find positions within expanding companies and industries. For finding the right workforce, there are still opportunities, as we’re seeing companies still hiring. Redmond is in a good place in terms of growth and opportunity.”
Curley mentioned that this positive growth has come in part from a top-down approach taken by the city council and elected officials in the area. There has also been a push to maintain workforce housing, providing workers affordable units to buy and rent, and solving at least one piece of the complicated puzzle that is employment and economic development.
“On the residential side, developers are investing into all kinds of family housing, at both affordable and market rates,” Curley said. “Based on the number of people moving and our new housing options, we are definitely growing. Housing prices can fluctuate, but tend to stay around the $500,000 level. Within the region and especially compared to Bend, that is quite affordable. Economic growth requires good wages, reliable jobs, realistic housing, amenities that attract all sorts of people, and much more. There is a focus on all of that in Redmond, and I believe that’s part of the reason we’re seeing that growth. It’s growth with intention.
