{"id":2170,"date":"2021-02-04T10:02:36","date_gmt":"2021-02-04T18:02:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brooksresources.com\/?p=2170"},"modified":"2021-03-08T09:31:53","modified_gmt":"2021-03-08T17:31:53","slug":"brooks-resources-kirk-schueler-on-bend-oregon-in-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brooksresources.com\/2021\/02\/brooks-resources-kirk-schueler-on-bend-oregon-in-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Brooks Resources’ Kirk Schueler on Bend, Oregon in 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"
We sat down with Brooks Resources<\/a> president & CEO Kirk Schueler to talk about what\u2019s going on in Bend, Oregon from a growth, infrastructure, business and housing perspective. With nearly 30 years in the region, his view is that these critical issues, while disrupted a bit by COVID-19, will eventually balance out as they always have done.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n How is the growth we are experiencing now different than before?<\/i><\/b> What about infrastructure concerns?<\/i><\/b> Another top infrastructure concern is always education. Can our schools handle the growth? We are actually in a good position right now in the Bend LaPine district with schools already under construction, such as the new Caldera High School, and middle and elementary schools are in the planning stages as well. The district has been proactive in planning for future growth and trying to stay ahead of the curve.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span>There have historically been periods of rapid growth in our area, and the reasons people move here remain the same: great lifestyle, recreation, access to amenities – just to name a few. Right now, there is an added element: the huge national surge of people who are working from home. This has caused some individuals and their employers to recognize that where an employee works from is not important, so many are seeking new places to live that fit their lifestyle. Bend is near the top of the list. This means the growth we are experiencing now could look a bit different than it has in the past, as the makeup of the population and their daily habits (e.g. no commute) may vary. However, like any period of growth, we are feeling the strain in several key areas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span>When you consider the possible impact of growth on infrastructure at any particular time, you have to include the current and expected conditions.\u00a0 Right now, for example, we have passed the recent transportation bond. This is an essential piece of the puzzle, and the <\/span>$190 million voter-approved bond<\/span><\/a> is a huge step in creating the transportation infrastructure needed to accommodate growth. Also, as I mentioned previously, there is this whole work-from-home aspect. Will it change the transportation and traffic patterns we\u2019ve seen historically with commuters? It\u2019s entirely possible.<\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n