From Classroom to Career: REDI's News & Brews Highlights Redmond's Economic Momentum

Recently, the community gathered for REDI’s News &Brews event to network, grab a cold drink, and get the inside track on the most critical challenge facing our region: building tomorrow’s skilled workforce. The energy was vibrant as educators, business leaders, and community members discussed the powerful intersection of education and economic development in Redmond.

The evening focused on how our local institutions and partners are successfully creating flexible, accessible pathways from the classroom directly into high-paying, local jobs, fueling Redmond’s impressive economic momentum.

The State of Redmond's Economic Engine

Steve Curley, REDI Director, kicked off the program with an update which underscored Redmond’s resilience and growth. Despite statewide budget concerns, Central Oregon and Redmond are seeing significant business expansion and investment.

Key highlights shared by Steve included:

• Major     Investment: Over $91 million in ongoing investments are     creating hundreds of new jobs in the area.
• Business     Success: Six companies completed projects in 2025, creating 121     jobs.
• Notable     Expansions: Projects include Medline Renewal hiring 73 new workers,     and expansions by major players like Amazon, Nosler, and Baselite.

A shining example of this growth is Medline ReNewal,a key player in Redmond’s manufacturing sector. As a global leader in medical device reprocessing, Medline ReNewal takes single-use medical devices that would otherwise go to a landfill, rigorously reconditions them, and returns them to hospitals at a significant cost saving. This not only makes healthcare more affordable and sustainable, but its recent expansion—an over 50,000 square foot facility—demonstrates the company’s confidence in Redmond’s workforce, bringing 73 new, skilled jobs to the region. According to Craig Windish, Sr. Manager of Technology Development, Medline ReNewal is currently seeking talented workforce to fill remaining open positions.

The message was clear: Redmond is a hub for innovation and job growth, driven by a commitment to invest in its businesses and people.

Panel Spotlight: Building Tomorrow's Workforce

The centerpiece of the evening was a deep-dive panel discussion on the successful partnership between our local educational institutions and industry. Presenters Sherm Bloomer (OSU-Cascades), Brian Keechle (COCC), and Dan Kernion (Redmond HS), highlighted how schools are actively tailoring programs to meet the current and future needs of manufacturing and technology businesses.

Key takeaways from the educational leaders included:

• Redmond     High's Success: The Redmond High CTE and welding programs are     directly placing students into high-paying local jobs. An exciting trend     noted was the rising female participation in the welding program.
• COCC's     Versatility: Central Oregon Community College (COCC) supports     students across the spectrum, from entry-level up to degree transfer or     direct employment, with a key focus on hands-on and project-based     learning.
• OSU     Cascades' Local Focus: OSU Cascades offers programs     specifically tailored to local industry needs, incorporating strong     work-integrated learning elements.

The common theme across all institutions was the essential need for employability skills, a strong work ethic, and technical training—all supported through robust partnerships with local businesses.

Sponsor Spotlight: Supporting Redmond's Talent

An event of this caliber would not be possible without the generous support of our partners, including Title Sponsor, Summit Bank. In his brief presentation, Roger Lee, discussed the role of community banks like Summit Bank in supporting local economic growth. Community banks are vital, providing billions in business loans and holding most commercial real estate for Oregon’s smaller communities. He considers partnering with organizations like REDI as crucial “black-ops’ teams working behind the scenes to help promote a thriving economic ecosystem.

We also heard from Chris Petty of Express Employment Professionals, who provided insight into the staffing and recruitment landscape. Chris introduced Express Employment as Central Oregon’s one-stop staffing firm, serving every sector from entry-level production to specialized recruiting. As the largest franchise-owned staffing firm globally, they offer essential support and recruitment resources to businesses of all sizes.

The Momentum Continues

The latest News & Brews event reinforced Redmond’s economy and educational landscape are thriving. By fostering robust partnerships between our schools, businesses, and service providers, the community is successfully preparing students for meaningful careers, supporting local job growth, and driving innovation.

If you were unable to attend, visit our YouTube Channel @RedmondEcDevIncfor the Panel Discussion portion of the event. We encourage you to reach out to REDI for more information, collaboration opportunities, or to see how you can be a part of Redmond's success story. Call the office at 541.923.5223or go online to rediinfo.com.