WBA News
ACTION ALERT: Single-use plastics ban needs to align with state regulations
On July 31, City of Bellingham Ordinance 2021-05-023 will go into effect that will ban the use of some single-use plastics by retail establishments in Bellingham with the goal of “encouraging compostable or reusable alternatives.” This new regulation will impact restaurants (no matter their size), coffee shops, hotels, etc. in Bellingham. The ordinance was passed…
Read MoreBellingham City Councilman Proposes New Sales Tax
Bellingham City Councilman Dan Hammill recently proposed a new sales tax, with revenue dedicated to addressing the City’s ongoing homelessness crisis. The proposed sales tax would be .1%, with Hammill and the City indicating that it could raise up to $3M that would be used to address root causes of homelessness and provide services for…
Read MorePeoples Bank Executive Team and Commercial Banking Group Promotions
Peoples Bank announced promotions on its Executive Team and Commercial Banking Groups. Executive Team Promotions: Derek Thornton Derek Thornton was promoted to Executive Vice President while retaining his title of Chief Financial Officer. Derek joined Peoples Bank in 2013 with expertise in finance and accounting and has held leadership roles in retail, small business, and…
Read MoreWBA on KGMI
Listen as WBA Executive Director Barbara Chase and KGMI’s Mike Davis discuss the recent petition efforts by WBA to County Executive Satpal Sidhu and the challenges all businesses are facing as we move into the next year. KGMI podcast: Whatcom Business Alliance
Read MoreWBA calls on Inslee administration to avoid UI tax increases
Despite the Inslee administration’s claims, it has become clear that Washington businesses should expect an increase in their unemployment insurance (UI) taxes that will add up to $800M in 2021, with additional increases likely in store in 2022 and 2023. Economists at the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) attribute the UI shortfall to the…
Read MoreWBA reacts to the failure of additional coronavirus relief legislation
On Thursday, September 10 Senate Democrats blocked what some called a “skinny” coronavirus relief bill. The two parties could not agree on the scale of the aid, with Republicans supporting relief for schools, small business, and jobless benefits. The $650B package was deemed too small by Senate Democrats, who opposed the bill on a near…
Read MoreCounty businesses get latest health and economic news in WBA’s first “Recovery Whatcom” series webinar
More than two hundred members of the local business community, along with local elected and appointed officials, registered for “Navigating a New Health and Economic Reality in Whatcom County.” The webinar, held Wednesday May 13th, featured local business and health leaders taking questions from attendees looking to better understand what the post-coronavirus landscape could look…
Read MoreSpread facts, not fear
“What is the source of that information?” Get used to asking yourself that question. Looking past the intermediary to the original context of the news is an invaluable business skill to acquire. The more important the information, the higher the stakes – and the greater the likelihood that there’ll be scads of misinformation flying across…
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 MoreWe got this, America!
One Bellingham-based business has launched a creative, nationwide effort to support the employees of small businesses and non-profits who need financial assistance during this economic health crisis. Through each sale of t-shirts with the rally cry “We got this”, $10 is directed back to the small businesses that have signed up and provided proof of…
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