The population of Oregon, 3,421,399 people, and No. 28 in terms of population in the United States. The five largest cities in terms of population are the city of Portland with 538,544 people, the capital city of Salem with 142,914 people, the city of Eugene with
142,185 people, the city of Gresham with 95,816 and the city of Beaverton with 80,520 people.

Oregon is famous for its production of fruits such as apples and potatoes, mint, grapes, and one of the four regions for the growth of nuts in the world, producing 95% of United States production. The state is also famous for the trade of timber from logging owned by the state, and state is one of the largest center-based industries salmon fishing in the world. Tourism plays a key role in the economy because of the places of natural beauty and scenic mountains and rivers, in addition to the Pacific coast, which represents the western border of the state.

Here’s a list of some local Central Oregon employment agencies that might be able to help you find your next job.

Cardinal Employment Svc
505 SW Millview Way # 200
Bend, OR
541-389-4259

Certified Personnel Svc Inc
1707 N Highway 97
Redmond, OR
541-504-9675

Coic
16493 Bluewood Pl
La Pine, OR
541-536-5380

Employment Service
2158 Se College Loop # B
Redmond, OR
541-548-8196

Hampshire Group
1900 Ne Division St # 204
Bend, OR
541-382-6239

Opportunity Foundation
835 E Highway 126
Redmond, OR
541-548-2822

Staffing Services Inc
846 NW Colorado Ave
Bend, OR
541-318-5950

Maybe you’re looking for a place to update your resume for you, Here’s two places in Central Oregon that can help you with that.

Officist
Po Box 1946
Redmond, OR
541-923-8303

Type-Rite
506 Ne Franklin Ave
Bend, OR
541-388-4495

Furthermore you might want to apply to some of the larger employers of Central Oregon. They include St. Charles Medical Center, Les Schwab Tire Center, Bright Wood Corporation, Sunriver Resort, Mt. Bachelor, Columbia Aircraft, T-Mobile, Contact Lumber, ISKY, Qwest (US West), Safeway (Region Wide), Wal-Mart (Region Wide), Bend Memorial Clinic, The Parr Company (Region Wide) , Fred Meyer (Region Wide) , JELD-WEN Windows & Doors, Kah-Nee-Ta Resort , Cessna (formerly Columbia Aircraft), Hooker Creek Companies (Region Wide), Athletic Club of Bend, Costco and Ray’s Grocery Stores (Region Wide).

One of the best tips for relocating that we can offer you is to throughly check out the job market before you move. Central Oregon has many wonderful opportunities, but like anywhere, jobs that you are qualified for may be hard to find.

Depending on what type of improvements you want to make, when you go and sell your house there is only so much that you will get as a return on your investment (ROI). The price for the materials to do the project has gone up, the return on those projects have gone down In the last five years (2003-2007). The return on a core project in 2003 would be 82.5% (nationwide), but as of 2007 the estimate ROI is only 70%. A steady roll downward for the last 5 years except in 2005 where it spiked to 86.7%.

These statistics are based on nationwide reports and surveys. One project done in two different climates will yield different returns. Most commonly affected is pools. The pool will have a better return in States like Florida and California than it would in the northeast (New England) area.

A site that I found lists the projects as well as their return on investment. The site is Remodeling magazine.com. According to them the best ROI project is a (wood) deck addition with a return of 85.4%. Following behind that is siding replacement (83.2), minor kitchen remodeling (83%) and to finish out the top five would be window replacement (wood 81.3%) and (vinyl 79.3%).

The site also added some upscale projects estimates, as a deck built with new composite materials which have a long life than the wood decks.

If you’re someone who is looking for a good deal on a house (I know there’s a few), This list can help you in more ways than one. The list can give you a starting point in your negotiations. If you’re like me, you’ll know how to shop for better pricing than the list. Play your cards right and you can save a bundle.

Oregon’s economy is broken into two categories; agriculture and industry. Cattle, vegetables, nursery stock, fruits and nuts, dairy products, and wheat provide for the agricultural side. While lumber and wood products, tourism, food processing, paper products, machinery and scientific instruments provide for the industrial side.

Oregon’s top ten employment industries as of May 2006
1. Food services and drinking places
2. Administrative and support services
3. Professional and technical services
4. Specialty trade contractors, construction
5. Ambulatory health care services
6. Hospitals
7. Computer and electronic product manufacturing
8. Nursing and residential care facilities
9. (tie) Food and beverage stores and General merchandise stores

Oregon collects personal income taxes, corporate income taxes, property taxes and gasoline taxes. It does not have a state sales tax.