Community Resources for Business
The City of Bellingham partners with
local and state agencies to promote business growth and sustained economic
health in our community.
Economic and Business Development Organizations
- Bellingham /
Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry - The Chamber offers a
variety of benefits to its members including networking breakfasts,
access to mailing lists, business-related community events and seminars,
medical insurance benefits, and links from the Chamber website to
member's businesses. Phone: 360.734.1330
- Bellingham/Whatcom Tourism Bureau
- The county's official tourism agency, this non-profit organization has
approximately 340 members representing a variety of tourism and
community-related businesses. They provide maps, marketing,
business education workshops, community information and tourism research
and statistics. Phone: 360-671-3990.
- Center for Economic
Vitality - Part of Western Washington
University's School of Business and Economics, the Center has been
guiding, advising, and serving as a sounding board for businesses in
Washington since 1983. Business strategists provide in-depth,
confidential business counseling to businesses, free of charge in
Whatcom County. Phone: 360.733.4014
- Downtown
Bellingham Partnership - The Partnership is a strong voice for Downtown
and an effective liaison between downtown stakeholders and local
decision makers. They offer cooperative advertising campaigns and
networking opportunities for businesses downtown. Programs include
"Downtown Dollars," Downtown Art Walks, marketing and beautification fo
downtown streets and sidewalks. Phone: 360.527.8710
- Fairhaven
Association - The Association's purpose is to promote and support
the historic Fairhaven district in south Bellingham. Programs
include mutual exchange of discounts for employees, beautification
projects, business directory and website, and event planning. The
Association holds monthly merchant meetings. Phone: 360.738.1574
- Northwest Economic Council - the
NECWC is a non-profit organized to provide economic development
leadership and programs to sustain and enhance the economic vitality of
Whatcom County. The Council compiles data on local demographics,
labor and utility costs, taxes, prevailing wages, local culture and
available financial incentives for businesses. Phone: 360.676.4255
- SCORE
- Sponsored by the Small Business Administration, SCORE offers free
business counseling and publications. Counseling covers initial
capital requirements, operating capital, business and marketing plans,
pricing, advertising, cash flow, profit/loss, and other business
fundamentals. Call 360.685.4259 to schedule an appointment.
- Small
Business Development Center (SBDC) - Also part of WWU's School of
Business and Economics, the SBDC Program is designed to provide high
quality business and economic development assistance to small businesses
and nascent entrepreneurs in order to promote growth, expansion,
innovation, increased productivity and management improvement. Phone
360-778-1762.
- Sustainable
Connections - SC is a nonprofit network of local, independently
owned Whatcom County businesses, farms, organizations and supporters.
Their mission is to be the local forum where businesses come together to
transform and model an economy built on sustainable practices.
- Technology Alliance Group
- TAG connects technology businesses to resources by offering education
programs, networking opportunities and other business services to the
technology sector and its service providers. Their mission is to
promote, educate and advocate for technology businesses in the area.
TAG provides technology-based economic development services to local
government and the business community. Phone: 360.647.4220.
- Northwest
Workforce Development Council - Dedicated to addressing workforce
needs through an outcome and customer based model, the council's core
business is to improve the ability of our workforce to meet the demands
of business and industry. Provides financial resources to
qualified individuals for occupational or technical education programs
and customized training in high demand occupations.
- Washington
State Department of Commerce - A new search tool from the Department
of Commerce aims tohelp businesses easily find the resources that can
make a difference to their success. The site allows users to
search for many types of assistance, including microloans, business
training, and one-on-one counseling.
