St. Charles Health System, still largest Central Oregon employer by far, sees workforce grow nearly 9% in past year
Economic Development for Central Oregon releases annual largest-employer lists
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) on Thursday released its 2024 Central Oregon Largest Employers List, complete with breakouts of the top employers in each community.
This data, collected by EDCO annually for the past 23 years, is the most comprehensive major employer list in Central Oregon.
This year the top 50 private companies collectively employ 22,340 Central Oregonians, or roughly 20% of the region’s March 2024 annual average total non-farm employment of 107,550. St. Charles Health System tops the list again, by far, employing 4,791 people regionwide, an 8.9% increase since last year at the same time.
While the region's list shows no major changes at the top, with Mt. Bachelor holding at second place and Les Schwab still No. 3, there is a new entry in the top 10, as Meta's Facebook Data Center in Prineville jumped from No. 6 to No. 10, with a workforce that grew in the past year from 350 to 600 employees.
The top five 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:
- Les Schwab Headquarters & Tire Centers (Regional, OR) – Started as a small shop in Prineville, Oregon in 1952, Les Schwab Tire Centers now employs over 7,000 people across the country.
- Bright Wood Corporation (Regional, OR) - The largest independent manufacturer of window and patio door components and engineered dimension lumber in the U.S.
- BASX Solutions (Redmond, OR) – An industry-leader in manufacturing high efficiency data center cooling solutions, cleanroom systems, custom HVAC systems, and modular solutions.
- Epic Aircraft, LLC (Bend, OR) – Leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance, all-composite, six-seat single-engine turboprop aircraft.
- Lonza, formerly Bend Research (Bend, OR) – A leading global provider of integrated healthcare solutions ranging from early phase development to custom development and manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Of these five top traded-sector businesses, BASX Solutions saw the highest percentage increase in new jobs since last year, adding 133 new positions. The company is expecting to continue this employment growth into 2025.
Jon Stark, CEO of EDCO, said, "Private, traded-sector business makes Central Oregon more resilient in times of economic shifts and enriches the quality of life across our communities.
"At EDCO, we are dedicated to supporting these businesses as they face and overcome challenges related to workforce development, market research, land use, physical space needs, and access to capital, among other things. Our engagement with over 400 traded-sector companies annually ensures business leaders have the pivotal tools and resources they need to grow. It's gratifying to see these companies flourish and increase employment opportunities for Central Oregonians.”
When evaluating the region for investment and new or expanded operations, companies often turn to EDCO for information about the existing employment base and largest private employers from both the traded-sector (ex. high technology, advanced manufacturing and scientific) and non-traded sector (ex. retail, education, healthcare, hospitality, and construction).
EDCO’s regional list features private (for-profit and non-profit) employers, while those at the individual community level include both private and public employers.
To view the lists in their entirety, click on the links below:
2024 Central Oregon Top 50 Public and Private Employers
2024 Central Oregon Largest Employers – Bend
2024 Central Oregon Largest Employers – Redmond
2024 Central Oregon Largest Employers – Sisters
2024 Central Oregon Largest Employers – Sunriver and La Pine
2024 Central Oregon Largest Employers – Crook County
2024 Central Oregon Largest Employers – Jefferson County
2024 Central Oregon Largest Employers – Deschutes County
Data for the lists are 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.
