The future looks brighter for Central Oregon, following a sweeping series of investments detailed in the state's 2025-2027 budget. Local legislators—Senator Anthony Broadman, Representative Emerson Levy, and Representative Jason Kropf—have collectively steered funds towards various initiatives aimed at bolstering public services in one of the Pacific Northwest's rapidly expanding regions. These include funding for public safety, mental health services, healthcare access, economic development, and cultural preservation.
In a statement made on the Oregon Legislature's website, Senator Broadman expressed satisfaction at the outcomes: "These are investments in the future of Central Oregon—health care access, public safety, and community resilience," and "We came to the table with clear priorities, and I'm proud to say we delivered." Broadman's sentiment reflects a commitment to not only address current needs but strategically prepare to meet the inevitable demands of growth.
Central to the delegate’s work is a multi-million dollar allocation to enhance emergency preparedness and response. Specifically, $10,128,616 will go towards creating CORE3, a state-of-the-art regional emergency coordination center and public safety training facility. Details shared on the Oregon Legislature's website outline the center as a leap forward in integrating public safety efforts across the region.
Recognizing a dire need within the realm of pediatric mental health, the budget also includes $3,121,146 for the establishment of a Central Oregon Child Psychiatric Facility. This endeavor aims to significantly increase the available mental health bed capacity for children—a resource Representative Levy noted as long-overdue in a bid to adequately combat the challenges of an expanding populace. "Our region is growing fast, and these targeted investments will help us meet the needs of today and tomorrow," she told the Oregon Legislature's website.
Addressing healthcare access, $4,045,902 has been sanctioned for Mosaic Community Health to support the construction of a new community health campus in Bend. According to lawmakers, the facility is slated to provide vital health services, further illustrating the delegation's ambition for Central Oregon to emerge as a healthy, resilient community equipped for continuous growth.
