County 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 like.
The webinar included the following panelists:
- Erika Lautenbach, Director of the Whatcom County Health Department
- Doug Thomas, President and CEO of Bellingham Cold Storage
- Kelly Lloyd, MD, Northwest Laboratory & NW Pathology
- Tanya Silves, CPA, Partner at LarsonGross CPA & Consultants
Ms. Lautenbach and Dr. Lloyd shared best practices and provided strategies, resources, and advice on how to implement health and safety processes and procedures when businesses reopen. Mr. Thomas shared strategies and innovation he has used to keep his employees safe over the past several months. Ms. Silves shared her knowledge of the SBA’s PPP and EIL lending programs, and what recipients of those funds should expect from the government in the coming months and years.
“We have changed our approach a bit in response to the pandemic,” said Tony Larson, WBA president. “We know our county needs a prosperous business community. Economic health plays a significant role in public health, and we want to provide every business in the county with the latest information from the region’s most informed health and economic experts. Given that this was our first webinar, I couldn’t be happier—and I am already looking forward to our next.”
WBA will host the next Recovery Whatcom webinar, “The Health and Financial Challenges and Opportunities of Phase 2 Reopening” on June 17th at 3:00 PM PST. Registration is free, and panelists will be announced soon.
In the meantime, please follow WBA on Facebook and LinkedIn or check our website for the latest information on the Whatcom County business community.