Advocacy
Whatcom County businesses must step forward and make their voice heard
Things were normal. Then they weren’t. Then everything was closed. Then a few things could open—and that is where things have stayed. In early June Whatcom County moved to Phase 2 of the Governor’s Safe Start Plan, and for the time being that is where Whatcom County will remain. Per Governor Jay Inslee’s latest order,…
Read MoreSmall business optimism rebounds, but uncertainty remains
Nationally, the Small Business Optimism Index increased 3.5 points in May to 94.4. That increase reflects a strong improvement from April and shows that small businesses are optimistic that conditions will improve as states reopen following the economic restrictions implemented to contain the coronavirus pandemic. However, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) also reported a seven-point…
Read MoreDowntown site to be used for drop-in homeless shelter
At a meeting on Tuesday, June 16th, the City of Bellingham City Council unanimously voted to move forward with plans to accept the lease and sublease conditions for the Public Market site on Cornwall Avenue for a drop-in homeless shelter. The facility will be used over the next three years, with an option for a…
Read More[BLOG] Whatcom County businesses are nearing the middle of PPP forgiveness. Here’s one thing they should do.
While Whatcom County is on a pathway to Phase 2 of the state’s Safe Start plan, many businesses face the possibility of running out of money prior to being able to re-open. The Paycheck Protection Program loans that have been secured by many local businesses require owners to spend funds in an 8-week period starting…
Read MoreWBA Business Confidence Survey Results
The coronavirus pandemic has had a severe impact on the local, state, national, and global economy. With the statewide Stay-at-Home order in effect until at least May 4th, the Whatcom Business Alliance (WBA) conducted a survey of over 220 county businesses to better understand how they have been affected by the current health and economic…
Read MoreWorkforce development 101
By its very nature, workforce development is a community prosperity initiative. After all, helping workers gain valuable skills attacks the roots of poverty. Training workers for living-wage jobs can help break the cycle of dead-end work. What’s more, boosting the skills of Whatcom County workers helps local companies fill important jobs so they can grow.…
Read MoreBusiness success, job growth keys to a healthy community
A vibrant business community, supported by public policies, is the key to a healthy community. Do you believe this statement? Whatcom Business Alliance members – industry leaders based in Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine and other cities in our county – certainly believe this to be true. They have seen firsthand how the success of businesses…
Read MoreWhere to find fact-based industry data in Whatcom County
Local business leaders, small-business owners and voters have relied on Whatcom Business Alliance to advocate on their behalf since 2013. It has become WBA’s role in the community to help stakeholders in Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale and throughout Whatcom County access policy information and fact-based research during key decision-making periods. When important issues arise in Whatcom…
Read MoreResponse to Bellingham’s Climate Action Task Force
The City of Bellingham’s Climate Action Task Force was launched in September of 2018 with the purpose of determining the feasibility, costs and impacts of the city’s 100-percent renewable energy ambitions. The Task Force rolled out preliminary recommendations for the building and transportation sectors in June 2019. Recommendations include the electrification of all commercial, residential,…
Read MoreCherry Point wages are twice the county average
The average annual wage in the Cherry Point Industrial Zone is more than double the average wage in Whatcom County as a whole. According to the 2019 Employment at Cherry Point study prepared by Western Washington University’s Center for Economic and Business Research, the average wage at Cherry Point of $110,690 dwarfs the county average…
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