Georgia Pacific announces closure of Bellingham plant
Georgia Pacific announced last month that it will cease operations at its Bellingham facility on Dec. 31.
For the past seven years, the Port of Bellingham has worked with Georgia Pacific to encourage the plant’s continued operation, even while the port planned for the redevelopment of the waterfront district. From the beginning of this relationship, the port’s Commission was committed to encouraging the continued operation of the plant and dedicated to not taking any steps that caused an earlier closure of the plant.
“Although this is not entirely unexpected, the port regrets the loss of jobs at Georgia Pacific,” said Port Executive Director Jim Darling. “We hope the entire community will work together to help the current Georgia Pacific employees find new opportunities in Whatcom County.”
Georgia Pacific has been a major employer in Whatcom County for many years and historically was one of our community’s key economic engines. Georgia Pacific was also a contributor to many of the charities and projects in its community.
The port has been very focused on the redevelopment of this property and the creation of new family-wage jobs on the waterfront. News of the closure underscores the importance of moving ahead on the waterfront redevelopment and working together as a community to make sure that this land is put back into productive use, say port officials.
To date, Georgia Pacific has met all of its obligations in the original purchase and sale agreement and officials at Georgia Pacific have made it clear to the port that they intend to honor all of its future commitments regarding leases, waste water, demolition, and other specified items. The lease at the tissue warehouse will expire in March 2008 and is valued at $350,000 a year.
The port acquired the Georgia Pacific property in January 2005 in exchange for the port agreeing to conduct specific environmental cleanups on the property and in the Whatcom Waterway. GP still has ongoing liability for the site clean up and purchased an environmental cost cap insurance policy.

St. Joseph Hospital explore partnership
The boards of PeaceHealth/St. Joseph Hospital and Madrona Medical Group recently agreed to explore a potential partnership as a way to expand and deliver their mission, vision and values to the community.
The hospital and Madrona Medical Group approved a letter of intent to begin assessing possible affiliation, with a tentative timeline for completion by the end of this year.
The potential affiliation provides an opportunity to increase the seamlessness of care for all patients. For example, the hospital could offer an integrated approach to cancer care. In addition, the new structure would reduce duplication of costly technology and promote more efficient use of healthcare resources. For example, both organizations now provide hospitalist and imaging services, which could become consolidated programs.

Camano Marine announces planned expansion
Leslie Hawthorne, president of Camano Marine, has announced plans to open a second showroom and sales office along Interstate 5 near Stanwood.
“With our recent selection as the exclusive west coast outlet for MAKO fishing boats we found we needed more room,” Hawthorne said. “This additional location along I-5 will allow us to showcase our exclusive inventory to more potential customers while making additional space available at our Camano Island location for our growing Hobie Kayak sales, rentals and guided tours.”
In addition to the sales facility along I-5, Camano Marine also plans to open a new satellite sales office at Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands at Alvarado Marine.

Bellingham company partners with Cabela’s
Terry McNabb, manager of Bellingham-based Aquatechnex LLC, recently announced that his firm will be the exclusive lake mapping partner with Cabela’s Trophy Properties in most areas of the Western United States and upper Midwest.
Cabela’s lake mapping partners help pond and lake owners understand and maximize their aquatic resources by providing detailed contour, depth, and 3-D maps of their water bodies.
Recreational property owners, golf courses, marinas, developers, government organizations and fishing clubs are some of the customers who utilize lake mapping services.

WWU to host job fair
Job seekers looking for ways to connect with employers are invited to attend Western Washington University’s Fall Business Career Fair from 2 to 6 p.m. Nov. 1 in the Wade King Student Recreation Center.
The event, sponsored by the WWU Career Services Center and the College of Business and Economics, is open to all students and members of the general public who are interested in meeting hiring managers for both internship and career opportunities. Admission to the fair is free.
The Fall Business Fair also provides job seekers with an invaluable opportunity to network with employers. For those uncertain about career goals or options, the Fall Business Fair is an excellent resource for conducting research in the job market.

Haggen’s launches online catering ordering
Haggen’s Market Street Catering service recently launched a Web site that enables customers to place online food orders for events ranging from business breakfasts to large family gatherings.
Customers can order from a menu developed by executive chef Bryan Weener. The menu includes boxed breakfasts and lunches, ready-to-heat entrees, meals for large groups, a variety of beverages, and fruit, vegetable and appetizer platters. Orders may be picked up at Haggen Food & Pharmacy stores or delivered to customers.
“We realize that many people have little time to organize a large family meal, a business luncheon or a social event,” said Sue Bussinger, general manager of Market Street Catering. “The Web site enables them to place orders from our extensive menu 24 hours a day.”
The Market Street Catering Web site’s design template was created by CCg, Inc. of Bellingham.
Market Street Catering is available in Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties.

Evergreen Team Concepts launches training center
Evergreen Team Concepts, focused on meeting the consulting and development needs of businesses, recently launched a training center in Bellingham.
The training center features a 50-person presentation room and a 30-person computer lab. Smaller rooms will be available for executive retreats and customized training.
“We’ve created a warm and inviting facility, contributing to experiences that are enjoyable for participants and productive for their employers,” said Henry Beeland, founder and president of Evergreen Team Concepts.
Joseph Michelli, author of “The Starbucks Experience: 5 Principles for Turning Ordinary into Extraordinary,” will appear for a book signing during an Evergreen Team Concepts open house Oct. 22. Well-known seminar leaders include Judi Moreo, Terry Mayfield, Evan Glassett, Casey McNeal and Kelli Vrla.
“Through our strategic alliance with National Seminars Group, an industry leader, we’re able to provide the most respected and well-known names in seminar training,” Beeland said.
The Web-based platform of Evergreen Team Concepts also will enable clients to ask unlimited questions on various consulting topics, including safety, human resources, project management, team building and regulations.

Fitness Gear Inc. relocates
Bellingham-based Fitness Gear Inc. has recently relocated, expanded and changed names. Fitness Gear & Training, as it is now called, has a new location in downtown Bellingham. Fitness Gear & Training is a family-owned business and is entering its 19th year of business in Bellingham.
Fitness Gear & Training now offers more than 5,000 square feet of retail space and has recently added three private personal training studios that feature state of the art equipment and licensed personal trainers.
Fitness Gear & Training still features equipment from top name brands such as Precor, SportsArt, Hoist, Diamondback and Vectra fitness. Besides the sales of exercise equipment, Fitness Gear & Training also offers design consultation, delivery, installation and after-sales service and repair.

GrafixCORP will produce Tulip Festival brochure
GrafixCORP of Mount Vernon recently announced that it has been chosen to design and produce the Official Skagit Valley Tulip Festival brochure.
The 2008 edition of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival brochure marks the 25th Anniversary of the event.
GrafixCORP is a full-service graphic design studio, providing visual communications in print, illustration and Web site development.

91 WWU faculty members receive salary adjustments
Western Washington University will provide salary adjustments for 91 faculty members, with the pay increases totaling $256, 858. The adjustments were a result of studies on faculty salaries by a consultant and review by a campus committee.
Western’s administration and the United Faculty of Western Washington signed a memorandum of understanding, recognizing the administration’s implementation of the committee’s recommendations.
In 2005, WWU President Karen W. Morse included this money in the university’s 2005-07 biennial budget and commissioned a study of the faculties’ salaries at the university. The analysis conducted by Hagniere, Inc., the leading firm in faculty salary analysis, found no systematic race or gender bias in faculty salaries at Western.
“Western is proud that no systematic race or gender bias was found in faculty salaries. This is a tremendous achievement and reflects the University’s ongoing and serious commitment to diversity among the faculty,” said Morse.

WWU’s Planet magazine wins honorable mention
Western Washington University’s Winter 2007 issue of The Planet magazine won an honorable mention in the single-issue general excellence category in the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Student Magazine Contest, according to Planet adviser Bill Dietrich.
“This is a highly competitive national contest, and it’s gratifying to get this level of recognition for the students who work so hard on this environmental magazine,” said Dietrich. “They put their heart and soul into their journalism.”
The national university contest attracted 290 entries in 13 categories that were judged by magazine-industry professionals. In the general excellence category, first place went to the University of Texas; second place to Boston University; third place to the University of Mississippi; and honorable mentions went to Western Washington University, San Jose State University and Columbia College in Chicago.

Study evaluates Skagit County irrigation systems
A cooperative study to evaluate the efficiency of two irrigation systems for potato growers in Skagit and Whatcom counties is under way, thanks to efforts between two unlikely partners – the Swinomish Tribe and the agricultural community.
The goal of the study is to evaluate and compare the current high-pressure irrigation system used by many potato growers with a micro-sprinkler-based system that has been touted as more efficient for delivering water to plants.
The Swinomish Tribe and Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland (SPF) have joined with the Washington State Seed Potato Commission, Bertrand Irrigation District, Western Washington Agricultural Association and The Nature Conservancy to support the study.
“I believe this is the first joint research project involving the Swinomish Tribe and the agricultural community in this valley,” said Allen Rozema, executive director of SPF. “I am very pleased to be partnering with the Swinomish Tribe on such a mutually beneficial project.”
Results will be shared with potato farmers to help them evaluate the best system for crop performance and economic value, with the least environmental impact.
The majority of the 15,000 acres of potatoes grown in Western Washington is currently irrigated with a system that propels water over long distances under high pressure. Known locally as a ‘big guns’ system, its effectiveness is vulnerable to evaporation and wind conditions. These systems also have tested poorly for uniformity of water distribution when compared with other systems.
New micro-sprinkler technology has led to an adaptation of the big guns system, in which a beam or pole is placed over both sides of a cart that is reeled in to the crops. Small sprinklers placed across a length of pipe supply water at lower pressures and closer to the field surface.
“With Chinook salmon and now steelhead listed on the endangered species act, Western Washington farmers are being challenged more than ever to conserve water and energy,” said Rozema. “This comes at a time when costs for consumables have increased while commodity prices for the products the farmer sells have barely kept up with the times, making profit margins for Western Washington potato farmers very slim.”

First annual Bellingham Aircraft Expo held
On Aug. 16, Moss Adams Wealth Advisers and Bellingham Aviation Services hosted the first Moss Adams Exclusive Aircraft Expo at Bellingham Aviation Services’ Bellingham Jet Center hangar.
More than 20 invited guests listened to experts from Moss Adams and the Russell Group before viewing nearly a dozen demonstrator aircraft that had come to Bellingham to contribute to a static display.
More than $13 million worth of aircraft was represented and manufacturers flew in from as far as Salt Lake City to participate. “I am an enthusiastic believer in general aviation for both business and pleasure travel,” said Jeff Eriksen, chief flight instructor at Bellingham Aviation Services.

DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen receives award
DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen in Bellingham recently accepted the annual Remodeler’s Excellence Award from the Building and Industry Association of Whatcom County. DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen was awarded in the category for a kitchen remodel worth more than $60,000. Owner Matt Peterson happily accepted the award on behalf of his team as well as homeowners Mark and Deb Lambert.
The Lambert’s kitchen was completed last July in Deming. The space was not only remodeled but revitalized, and captured the couple’s country yet modern aesthetic.
DreamMaker’s team of designers and remodeling specialists created a space that was both modern and functional as well as unique and charming.
“Our goal was to create a space in the home that was not just functional but also livable. We wanted to compliment their Nooksack River-front property, and show off the natural beauty of their home,” said Tally Rabatin, office manager.

Skagit Young Professionals hosts Web site release party
The Skagit Young Professionals recently held a Web site release party, sponsored by OASYS, at PWG Design in downtown Mount Vernon to celebrate the release of their Web site, skagityoungprofessionals.com.
The Skagit Young Professionals hold monthly events, weekly coffee meetings, monthly dinner clubs, educational seminars, have a softball team, and are involved in community service. This group is open to anyone in Skagit County age 21-40. The focus of the group is building business and personal relationships in Skagit County.

WWU ranks No. 2 in West among public master’s granting universities
For the 11th year in a row, Western Washington University is ranked second among top public master’s-granting universities in the West, a region stretching from Texas to the Pacific, according to the 2008 U.S. News & World Report college rankings.
Western also is the highest-ranking public, master’s-granting university in the Pacific Northwest.
“We are committed to an environment for teaching and learning that has repeatedly earned Western this kind of recognition, which is a tribute to the excellence of our faculty, staff and students,” said Western President Karen W. Morse.
Western is 17th place overall among comparable schools – public and private – in the West. Since the first U.S. News rankings in 1987, Western has been highly rated in 19 of 21 years.
U.S. News has separate categories for “national” (doctoral-granting or research) universities and liberal arts colleges and for specialties such as business and engineering.

Informational health Web site launched
Core Therapeutics PT & Pilates Studio in Fairhaven has launched a new Web site featuring basic information on how to find the perfect match in a healthcare provider, an online anatomy study guide and information on clinic specialty services.
“We think people need a resource that guides them through the maze of what questions to ask before choosing a healthcare provider of any type, be it a primary physician, acupuncturist or a physical therapist,” said owner Elizabeth Hampton. “We get these questions all the time and thought it would be helpful to have it online where everyone can learn from it.”
Things to consider about a prospective physician or therapist include everything from ambience of the office to the communication style and credentials of the provider. The Web site lists categories in an easy-to-read format. Most importantly, there is information on how to interpret the educational credentials of healthcare providers.
The new site also includes other related links on health and fitness, including self-study and quizzes on human anatomy.

Port of Anacortes begins ‘Focus Fidalgo’ cleanup initiative
The Port of Anacortes, in partnership with the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE), will soon begin cleanup of contaminated soil northwest of the boat launch at Cap Sante Boat Haven.
This site, which includes approximately a half-acre of land leased to its tenant, Cap Sante Marine, is the first of five cleanup sites identified by the Port of Anacortes. Focus Fidalgo integrates habitat restoration, redevelopment and public access improvements into a single, coordinated plan.
The $5.3 million project will be funded in part by a grant form the DOE, in conjunction with Gov. Christine Gregoire’s Puget Sound Initiative. The initiative, with funding from the Washington State Legislature, is designed to expedite environmental cleanup projects throughout the Puget Sound region.
“This project is a critical element of the next phase of our marina modernization plan,” said Bob Elsner, director of planning, projects and environmental affairs. “We share the Puget Sound Initiative’s goal of fast-tracking environmental cleanups in the region and are proud to be starting on one of the first projects under the initiative.”
Government regulations were established to protect salmon, bull trout and herring, and they restrict construction projects in or near the water between July 16 to Jan. 15, 2008. The cleanup work will be completed by mid-January 2008.

Workers’ comp rates could increase by 3.2 percent
The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) recently proposed a 3.2 percent increase in 2008 workers’ compensation rates to keep pace with inflation. Average premiums would go up by just over 2 cents per hour worked.
The proposed increase, which would bring in $58 million, is an average for all Washington employers. Individual employers could see their rates go up or down, depending on their recent claims history and any changes in the frequency and cost of claims in their industry. L&I has published online the proposed 2008 rate tables by industry and will soon send the rates to employers.
Washington is the only state where workers pay a substantial portion of premiums. Next year, their share would be just over 25 percent if the proposed rates are adopted.
The proposed rate changes will be adopted in late November following five public hearings, including one in Mount Vernon on Oct. 31 at 9 a.m. at the Best Western CottonTree Inn at 2300 Market St.

Uniquely whidbey this month
The 2007 Uniquely Whidbey Biz Expo takes place Oct. 13 and 14. It is the largest such event in the region. The expo will be held this year in the newly completed Coupeville Sports Complex. More than 140 booth exhibitors who reside on Whidbey Island use this opportunity to showcase their goods and services.

Stanwood promotes small businesses by waiving fees
The Stanwood City Council recently passed an ordinance that will make it more feasible for small business to renovate old buildings and move downtown. The council voted unanimously to waive some transportation impact fees for development projects less than 10,000 square feet and involve buildings built before 1980. The fees’ amounts vary based on how much traffic the businesses generate, according to The Everett Herald. The fees can be the difference between a business owner choosing a location downtown or moving to a location that will be cheaper, according to The Herald.

Port approves vision for Anacortes airport
Anacortes port commissioners approved their visions for the Anacortes Airport Aug. 16. The plan will maintain the facility’s size while also opening the door to development of new hangars. The Port’s “Airport Layout Plan,” a document mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration, was tentatively approved by the board of commissioners last April. Details of the airport layout plan include definitions of wetlands; no additional transient tie-downs, and opportunity for development of three commercial hangar pads near the building leased by San Juan Airlines, from a total of about 58 hangar spaces to 85 spaces.

NORDIC TUGS RENAMES LARGER BOAT MODELS
Burlington-based Nordic Tugs has announced a nomenclature change for their new 47 currently under development and the existing 52. The models will now be named the Nordic Tug 49 and the Nordic Tug 54. The change more accurately reflects the length overall (excluding bow pulpit) for the two models, measured from the aft edge of the swim platform to the bow of the boat.
“Our naming conventions worked in the past, although today, the model names actually short change the boats, particularly on the larger vessels which have an overall length much larger than the name infers,” explained Nordic Tugs Executive Vice-President David Goehring. “It was confusing to the consumer, who thought a Nordic Tug 52 had a length overall of 52 feet, but is actuality is 54-feet 2-inches.”
The new Nordic Tug 49 measures 49-ft 10-inches. The change currently only affects the company’s two largest boats. The company is reviewing the naming conventions of the remainder of the line, though any changes that may be made would not take effect until the 2009 model year.

WCC Receives Funding Award
The Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) recently announced that it would award more than $450,000 in state and federal funding aimed at supporting Work Study Community Service Projects.
Whatcom Community College is one of 15 institutions to receive an award, a grant totaling $35,000 for the college. The awards are targeted at supporting students who are part of the state’s Financial Aid work-study program. As a result, six to eight Whatcom Community College student interns will be selected for paid internships in the community that will last throughout the academic year under the Cooperative Education/Internships Program.
Whatcom Community College hopes to link interns who are interested in science, business or community education fieldwork with RE Sources, Sustainable Connections, City of Bellingham Parks Department and Public Works Department, Whatcom Transit Authority, and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association.
Western Washington University also received funding through the same program.

WHIDBEY ISLAND BANK TO MERGE WITH FRONTIER BANK
Frontier Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:FTBK), the $3.6 billion in assets holding company of Frontier Bank, and Washington Banking Company (NASDAQ: WBCO), the $850 million in assets holding company of Whidbey Island Bank, announced late last month the signing of a definitive agreement for the merger of Washington Banking with, and into, Frontier. The total cash and stock transaction is valued at approximately $191.1 million, or $21.40 per share, subject to certain conditions.
The combined company enhances Frontier Bankís leadership position as the largest community bank headquartered in Western Washington.
Michal D. Cann, President and CEO of Washington Banking Company said. “As we considered all of our strategic growth options, it became obvious that choosing to partner with Frontier would provide the greatest benefits and opportunities for our shareholders, employees, customers and the communities we serve.”

International Absorbents Announces Second Quarter Results
International Absorbents Inc. (AMEX: IAX), a leading developer and producer of environmentally friendly pet care and industrial products, reported financial results for the second fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2007.
Sales for the second quarter of fiscal year 2008 were $7,401,000, an increase of 1 percent as compared to $7,300,000 for the second quarter in the prior fiscal year.
Gross profit for the second quarter of fiscal year 2008 was $2,036,000 as compared to $2,158,000 for the second quarter in fiscal year 2007, representing a decrease of 6 percent. Gross profit for the first six months of fiscal year 2008 increased by 14 percent to $4,803,000, as compared to $4,213,000 for the first six months of fiscal year 2007.
“It has been a challenging quarter during which we successfully closed down our original manufacturing facility in Bellingham, Washington, and completed the commissioning of our new plant in Ferndale, Washington,” commented Gordon L. Ellis, chairman of International Absorbents Inc. “In anticipation of this manufacturing shutdown and potential shortage of product, we decreased our promotional activity for our animal care products during the period and stockpiled product. Despite these factors, we managed modest sales growth as compared to the same quarter last year. Costs associated with the shut down and commissioning, including additional shipping and logistics, had an adverse impact on our margins for the period but these were short-term concerns, and our margins are currently back to acceptable levels. This last stage of our infrastructure build out is now behind us and we believe we are in an excellent position for growth over the coming years.”
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