Month: February 2026

Barney Lerten

(Update: Commissioner Phil Chang reacts to Rob Imhoff proposal)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Deschutes County commission candidate’s suggestion that the county buy or partner to arrange a local purchase of the Mt. Bachelor ski resort is a “poorly thought-out concept,” current Commissioner Phil Chang told KTVZ News on Thursday.

“I like the idea of local ownership,” said Chang, who is serving as commission chairman this year and is not up for re-election.

But he went on to say: “I just don’t think the county is any position to play a role in assembling a deal or partnership,” as Rob Imhoff proposed this week. (See our earlier story below.)

“Our debt financing capacity is sucked up in our courthouse expansion, and if we had more we have some really exciting opportunities to develop new attractions at the Fair and Expo (Center),” Chang told us after we reached out to the board and resort for a comment.

“We also have a need to finance an overhaul of the jail from an indirect to a direct supervision structure,” he said.

“And while I love Mt Bachelor, that doesn’t mean that it is not a risky business investment,” Chang said, “and I think the taxpayers signed up for cost-effective key public services, not government gambling on enterprises.”

Earlier story:

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ-Feb. 11) — Eighteen months after POWDR Corp. put Mt. Bachelor up for sale — and 10 months after the company decided to keep it – the idea of local ownership has arisen again, this time amid a political campaign. A Deschutes County commissioner candidate says the county should make it happen.

The new proposal came this week from Bend business owner Rob Imhoff, one of three candidates for Position 5 on the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners. It’s one of two new seats on the expanded five-member board previously approved by voters. (The filing deadline for the May 19 primary is March 10th.)

The leader of a local group that sought in vain just such a return to local control told KTVZ News Wednesday that they are glad to hear of the new proposal and offered to help in any way they can. Chris Porter also noted how a Colorado town is in the process of just such a purchase of their nearby ski resort from POWDR.

Imhoff says the county should step up to “pursue strategic acquisition and/or partnership options” to bring the resort under “community stewardship.”

After POWDR announced in August 2024 it was putting Mt. Bachelor on the market, a community group formed in an attempt to acquire the resort, but said it was unable to submit a bid “due to timing constraints.”

Porter, president and CEO of Mt. Bachelor Community Inc., the group that tried to launch a local bid for Mt. Bachelor, told us they have not heard from Imhoff so far.

But he told KTVZ News, “I applaud them for taking the initiative. It is really nice to see someone else picking up the ball.”

Porter also told us they have acquired a “wealth of knowledge” over the past 18 months that they’d be happy to share with Imhoff or others who would like to help return the resort to local ownership, as it began. Porter said it would be great for a public-private partnership to emerge, in order to make it happen.

Porter pointed to a similar effort in Colorado, where the town of Nederland signed a letter of intent last year to buy the Eldora Mountain Resort from POWDR.

Just last week, The Colorado Sun reported that Nederland’s Board of Trustees had signed a letter of intent to buy the resort for $120 million. The board last month also unanimously approved issuing up to $225 million in bonds to pay for the resort’s acquisition and improvements.

A group of resort industry insiders and investors are no longer part of that complex deal, which includes bond sales and securing a Forest Service permit.

KTVZ News also has reached out to POWDR and county commissioners for any reaction or statement about the revived idea. We will update this story as warranted.

Here’s Imhoff’s news release, in full:

Rob Imhoff Calls for Deschutes County to Bring Mount Bachelor Home: Proposes Local Ownership to Deliver Affordable Access and “Protect Our Playground” 

Bend, Oregon – Rob Imhoff, candidate for Deschutes County Commissioner, today unveiled a bold vision to return Mount Bachelor – Central Oregon’s iconic playground – to local control. As the current corporate owner, POWDR Corp., has decided to retain the resort indefinitely after briefly listing it for sale in 2024-2025, Imhoff proposes that Deschutes County pursue strategic acquisition and/or partnership options to shift the mountain from profit-driven corporate management to community stewardship under county control. 

“Mount Bachelor isn’t just a ski resort – it’s our playground, our family traditions, our winter economy, and the heart of what makes Central Oregon special,” said Imhoff, a longtime Deschutes County resident, small business owner, and community coach. “Under corporate ownership, we’ve seen rising pass prices, mega-pass dominance, long lines, and decisions that prioritize shareholders over locals. It’s time to bring it home: make it affordable for Central Oregon families, reinvest in our community, and protect it for generations to come.” 

Imhoff’s proposal draws inspiration from successful community-owned models nationwide, including: 

Bogus Basin (Boise, Idaho) – The largest nonprofit recreation area in the U.S., reinvesting all profits locally for affordability and youth programs. 

Bridger Bowl (Bozeman, Montana) – Community nonprofit emphasizing reasonable costs and reinvestment into the mountain. 

Mad River Glen (Vermont) – Skier-owned cooperative preserving authentic skiing and offering shareholder perks. 

Mount Ashland (Ashland, Oregon) – Nonprofit saved through community efforts, treating the mountain like a public park with affordable access. 

Eaglecrest Ski Area (Juneau, Alaska) – Municipally owned, subsidizing tickets and supporting resident recreation. 

These examples prove that local county ownership delivers lower resident prices (e.g., deeply discounted “Locals Passes”), reinvests revenues into improvements, youth initiatives, and environmental care (like wildfire prevention), protects against overcrowding and corporate changes, and ensures long-term stability without heavy tax burdens – through bonds, grants, donations, and revenue-sharing. 

“This isn’t about disrupting operations – it’s about enhancing them with a focus on our community,” Imhoff added. “As commissioner, I’ll champion this dialogue, build coalitions, and fight for what’s best for Deschutes County families, not distant shareholders.” 

Imhoff invites residents to join the conversation at upcoming town halls and via robimhoff.com. For more on his platform – including regaining local control, building more housing, delivering real help for homelessness, and responsible land & water stewardship – visit robimhoff.com. 

About Rob Imhoff 

Rob Imhoff is a 20+ year Deschutes County resident, small business owner in the housing and construction sector, devoted family man, youth sports coach, and dedicated community volunteer. Running for County Commissioner, Rob is committed to putting Central Oregon first by fighting for local control over our decisions, making housing more affordable and attainable, providing compassionate and effective solutions to homelessness, and protecting our land, water, and way of life from outside overreach. With a proven track record of building businesses, coaching teams to success, and listening to neighbors, Rob brings practical, common-sense leadership to the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners. Learn more and join the movement at robimhoff.com. 

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026, marking a century of supporting the regional business community. The organization plans to commemorate the milestone with a year-long campaign and a Centennial Celebration Gala on May 21.

Founded in 1926, the chamber has grown into the second largest business advocacy organization in Oregon with nearly 1,650 members. The upcoming centennial marks 100 years since the organization unanimously voted to change its name from the Bend Commercial Club to the Bend Chamber of Commerce.

The organization was originally founded in 1926 as the Bend Commercial Club. The name was changed to the Bend Chamber of Commerce following a unanimous vote during a weekly forum luncheon on Wednesday, May 26, 1926. The directors referred the name change to the forum, which marked the official transition of the commercial club to the chamber.

Sara Odendahl, current CEO of the Bend Chamber, noted the organization has worked to support entrepreneurs and strengthen the regional economy for a century.

“For 100 years, the Bend Chamber has been a steady force for business—supporting entrepreneurs, strengthening our local economy and helping shape the community Bend has become today,” Odendahl said. She added that the chamber is honoring past leaders while preparing for a future that requires bold collaboration and innovative solutions.

The Centennial Celebration Gala is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the High Desert Museum. The event will include live music, catered food and beverages. In addition to the gala, the chamber plans to partner with Deschutes Brewery to create a commemorative collaboration beer and will share historical stories throughout the anniversary year.

The chamber has grown to include nearly 1,650 business members across the state. It currently ranks as the second-largest chamber in Oregon, trailing only the Portland Metro Chamber, which has about 2,400 members. The strong membership allows the organization to advocate for businesses at local, county, state and federal levels.

Gary North, the Bend Chamber’s board chair, said the organization serves as a central resource for both new and established businesses to collaborate on shared challenges.

“The Chamber provides one-stop shopping for new and existing businesses to have access to both the services the Chamber provides as well as a place to meet local business leaders to collaborate on mutual challenges,” North said. He noted that members and staff have been invaluable in helping businesses navigate changing economic and policy environments.

In recent years, the chamber has focused on addressing workforce housing and child care affordability. The organization also led the creation of a bipartisan Central Oregon Caucus and the Regional Business Alliance. Its community investment arm, the BendNEXT Foundation, manages leadership programs and talent development initiatives to strengthen the local workforce.

The chamber also launched a new website and specialized brandmark featuring a “100 Years” banner to coincide with the anniversary. Lisa Nielsen, marketing lead for the Bend Chamber, said the site was developed by chamber member fare*well to provide easier navigation and resource access. “Our new website is designed to better support our members and the business community—making it easier to access resources, stay informed and engage with the Chamber,” Nielsen said.

The year-long Centennial campaign will continue through 2026. The chamber will announce further details regarding special membership promotions and commemorative activities as the anniversary year approaches.

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