Whatcom Business Alliance.
Working together for a vibrant local economy.

Facilitating Business Success and Community Prosperity.

The Whatcom Business Alliance is the ears, eyes, and voice for the Whatcom County business community. We believe success is the single largest driver of community prosperity, which is why we focus our efforts on facilitating that success through advocacy, research and education and job opportunities. We bring business leaders together to encourage, acknowledge and share the best and most ethical business practices. Our members improve their respective businesses and work closely with community leaders to promote public policy that supports a healthy business climate and a vibrant economy. Join us today!

Business Pulse magazine - the PULSE of Whatcom County

Whatcom County's only source of local business news! Business Pulse magazine brings you stories that highlight great businesses and business people. Two of our most highly anticipated issues are the Whatcom Business Awards nominees and the TOP 100 companies list.

Business Pulse magazine is mailed bi-monthly to subscribers and Whatcom Business Alliance members. Additional copies are distributed at Business Pulse and WBA events, in waiting rooms, professional service offices, hotel rooms and other businesses throughout our region.

THANK YOU TO OUR PRESIDENTS CLUB MEMBERS:

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Bridging the gap between employers and the workforce of the future

Whatcom Business Alliance understands that the key to a robust local economy is the availability of a skilled workforce.

With that in mind, WBA created YES Whatcom in 2018 (originally the Youth Employment Initiative), an online tool to help prepare the emergent workforce and connect them with local employers.

Whatcom County employers can now create a free company profile and post jobs (including paid internships, apprenticeships and job training roles). Join almost 100 local companies like Bellingham Cold Storage, Birch Equipment, Christian Health Care Center, Enfield Farms and others, by using yeswhatcom.com as a recruitment tool.

Create a company profile and post a job!

ADVOCACY
The WBA advocates on behalf of all businesses and industries in Whatcom County, providing they are good actors, follow the rules and comply with all local, state and federal laws. Some of the ways we do this are:

Showing the community that environmental stewardship and economic prosperity are compatible.
Building dialog where business leaders can offer expert solutions to others on policy issues.
Educating the community, policymakers, and young people about the harm that results from excessive regulatory burdens on local businesses.
Showing the community the importance of the personal freedom to choose, property rights, and the value and benefits of entrepreneurship.
Creating an open forum of consistency and fairness so businesses can grow and add family-wage jobs in our community.
RESEARCH + EDUCATION

The WBA is actively engaged in fact-based business research, education, communication, and advocacy with its members on issues important to local business success and community prosperity. The WBA has built an extraordinary level of influence and credibility because it gathers credible data and information and shares it in a thoughtful, respectful, and solution-focused manner.

Wherever appropriate, the WBA provides third party, objective research and analysis in order to facilitate reasonable solutions to issues facing local business. We build coalitions and develop strategies to assist businesses in engagement on important policy issues in order to change the trajectory of bad policy before it is implemented.
YOUTH ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE

The Youth Engagement Initiative envisions a more dynamic economy with opportunities and clear pathways for local youth and families to find livable wage jobs in local businesses and industries.

The mission is to work in partnership with employers, educators, and like-minded organizations to create synergies that advance youth employment and career opportunities in Whatcom County.

The WBA, through the Youth Engagement Initiative, helps facilitate collaboration and coordination between K-12 and college-age youth with employers.