This year’s list of Central Oregon’s largest employers out; St. Charles sees 8% job growth, BASX 60%

Bend, Ore. – April 9, 2025 – Economic Development for Central Oregon announced Wednesday the 2025 Central Oregon Largest Employers List, including breakouts of the top employers in each Central Oregon community.

The data, collected by EDCO annually for the past 24 years, is the most comprehensive major employer list in Central Oregon. EDCO’s regional list features the largest private employers, including for-profit and non-profit organizations, while community-level lists include public employers.

This year, the top 50 private companies collectively employ 23,764 Central Oregonians, or roughly 21.4% of the region’s February 2025 annual average total non-farm employment of 111,110. St. Charles Health System tops the list again, employing 5,188 people regionwide, an 8.29% increase since last year at the same time.

The top five private traded-sector businesses, those that primarily sell their goods or services outside the local market and bring revenue into the region from national or international markets, include:

1. Bright Wood Corporation (Regional, OR) - The largest independent manufacturer of window and patio door components and engineered dimension lumber in the U.S. The company was founded in Madras, Oregon, in 1960.
2. BASX Solutions (Redmond, OR) – An industry leader in manufacturing high-efficiency data center cooling solutions, cleanroom systems, custom HVAC systems, and modular solutions. The company recently completed a 36,000-square-foot weld shop in Redmond, Oregon.
3. Les Schwab Headquarters & Tire Centers (Regional, OR) – Founded in 1952 with a single store in Prineville, Les Schwab Tire Centers now employs over 7,000 people across the nation.
4. Epic Aircraft, LLC (Bend, OR) – Founded in 2004, Epic Aircraft is a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance, all-composite, six-seat single-engine turboprop aircraft. Their flagship model, the Epic E1000, is known for its speed, range, payload, and luxurious features, catering primarily to business and private aviation markets.
5. Lonza (Bend, OR) – A leading global provider of integrated healthcare solutions ranging from early-phase development to custom development and manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Founded as Bend Research in 1975, they have evaluated or developed thousands of compounds.

BASX Solutions experienced the most significant increase in new jobs among the top traded-sector businesses, adding 399 positions, a 60.36% rise compared to last year.

"Traded-sector businesses are the backbone of Central Oregon's economy, driving resilience and enriching our communities. At EDCO, we are proud to support these companies as they navigate challenges in workforce development, market research and access to resources. Working closely with over 400 businesses annually, we take great pride in seeing them thrive, create valuable job opportunities and increase the quality of life for Central Oregonians," said Jon Stark, CEO of EDCO.

When companies consider moving to or expanding within Central Oregon, they often seek insights from EDCO regarding the local business landscape.

One resource provided is valuable information about employers across various sectors, including high technology, advanced manufacturing, and scientific industries, as well as non-traded sector industries, which include retail, education, healthcare, hospitality, and construction.

EDCO offers a range of services to support business growth, including assistance with relocation, access to incentives and financing options, entrepreneurial support, and connections to essential resources and mentorship opportunities.

To view the lists in their entirety, click on the link below:

https://www.edcoinfo.com/about-the-area/major-employers

Data for the lists is self-reported and not audited and should only be used as an informational guideline. Businesses are asked to provide the total number of employees, not full-time equivalency, during their most recent pay period or, for companies with seasonal patterns of employment, their seasonal high. Numbers only include employees working in Central Oregon and contain contractors or interns if they are full-time and long-term. Some businesses chose not to participate in these lists and are therefore excluded.  

About Economic Development for Central Oregon

EDCO is a non-profit corporation supported by private and public members and stakeholders, whose mission is to create middle-class jobs in Central Oregon by: recruiting new employers to move to the region; helping entrepreneurs start new, scalable businesses; and working with businesses that are already here to grow their operations. For more information, visit www.edcoinfo.com.