About
Welcome to Downtown Bend! Enjoy our independent businesses.
The Downtown Bend Business Association was formed in 1982 as a private nonprofit serving the over 350 businesses & 85 property owners in the downtown district.
Chuck Arnold, Executive Director
(541) 788-3628, Post Office Box 731, Bend, Oregon 97709 or via email
Our mission is to improve the economic vitality by enhancing the experience, image and lifestyle of Downtown Bend.
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The DBBA is funded by the Economic Improvement District which was created in May of 2009 by City of Bend ordinance to achieve specific objectives to improve downtown. The EID was approved by vote of the 97% of the property owners who elected to assess themselves $0.15 per square foot of commercial space to complete a scope of work to improve downtown.
Additional funding comes from grants and fundraisers like our annual Bend Oktoberfest.
The DBBA also works cooperatively with businesses, the City, Visit Bend, the Bend Chamber of Commerce, Central Oregon Visitors’ Association, the Shops at the Old Mill, Cascade Village Shopping Center and local lodging properties to promote Bend as a destination. Marketing is done in partnership with these organizations when applicable.
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Information for Businesses
The Board of Directors oversees staff and makes policy decisions that determine the direction of the Economic Improvement District and the Association. The Board holds monthly meetings on the first Wednesdays of the month. Interested parties can contact the office to obtain the location and time of the next meeting.
General meetings are typically held the second Wednesday of the month at the First Baptist Church, 60 Oregon Avenue, across from the Post Office. The DBBA welcomes input and encourages anyone who is invested in downtown to come to a meeting or join a committee. We want as many voices as possible at the table as we all work together to keep downtown vibrant!
You can also weigh in on the dialog of our specific join a Focus Areas to help solve one particular issue downtown.
We seek to make plentiful parking available for our customers. It is our responsibility as business owners and employees to not take customer parking. Information here about Parking rules downtown and a Parking Map and permit options. Check out our 2010 Parking Plan.
Check out the Bend Sign Code for information on how to make sure your business signage complies with City Code.
