Marine industry generates $150 million in wages For Region
The Northwest Washington Marine Industry Cluster Study, released Aug. 7, supports the significance and strength of the marine trades to Washington state.
The study was a collaborative effort by 14 entities and more than 50 private sector stake-holders from across Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan counties. The study was funded by $72,000 from the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development.
The study finds that the marine industry in Northwest Washington, including Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan and Island counties, generates significant economic benefits. The total output for this regional cluster is $362 million, which provides more than 4,000 jobs with wages totaling nearly $150 million.
Businesses in this industry include many small and family-owned firms that emerge from their communities. The businesses in this regional industry are known worldwide for the quality of their products and services.

EDASC partners with Bellingham/Whatcom EDC
The Bellingham/Whatcom EDC has recently teamed up with the Economic Development Association of Skagit County’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) program to provide free government contracting assistance to Whatcom County businesses.
The Bellingham/Whatcom EDC will provide counseling space and assistance to Diane McLeod, the PTAC program director. McLeod will be available on the first Tuesday of every month from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. at the Bellingham EDC.
“We’re really pleased about this partnership with EDASC and the ability to offer free procurement counseling to Whatcom businesses,” said Nancy Jordon, executive director of the BWEDC.
The PTAC program is a free resource for companies interested in doing business with government agencies, and can assist companies in finding contracting opportunities with federal, state and local governments.

Study determines Anacortes-Sidney ferry economic impact
The international ferry that runs between Anacortes and Sidney, British Columbia, provides a significant economic benefit to the region, according to a recent study released by the Economic Development Association of Skagit County.
The study shows that the ferry provides 1,470 jobs with more than $30 million in annual payroll and nearly $126 million in annual spending. Also, according to the study, Washington state receives $4.6 million a year in taxes related to the Anacortes-Sidney ferry.
“This study reinforces the importance of this run to the community and region and reflects the commitment of time, energy and resources this community has invested in the international run,” says Anacortes Mayor Dean Maxwell.
The study also supports the ferry’s importance in linking Anacortes with Sidney, which are sister cities. It indicates that only a small portion of the total ridership comes from inter-island routes in the San Juans – totaling only 17 percent of passengers.
This international connection not only supports tourism development, but also offsets the overall costs to the ferry system in the San Juan Islands, according to the study.

Art has $14.1 million impact in Bellingham
Bellingham no longer has to choose between the arts and economic development. According to a recent Arts & Economic Prosperity study, Bellingham’s nonprofit art sector supported 511 jobs and generated $14.1 million for the economy in fiscal year 2005.
This is an improvement from the 354 nonprofit art sector jobs Bellingham had in 2000, which was the last time the study was conducted. Nationally, the nonprofit arts industry has grown by 24 percent between 2000 and 2005.
In addition to attracting tourism dollars, a strong arts and cultural sector helps stimulate new start-up businesses. Jobs in this sector are rooted in the community and cannot be transferred overseas.
The study concluded, “As the arts flourish, so will creativity and innovation – the fuel that drives our global economy.”

Skagit, Island County builders receive awards
The Skagit/Island Counties Builders Association (SICBA) recently held its annual awards meeting at the Hillcrest Lodge in Mount Vernon. The association’s awards recognized homes that builders entered into SICBA’s 2006 Project of the Year competition. A panel of judges from Tri Cities Home Builders Association in Kennewick chose the winners.
Spane Buildings Inc. of Stanwood won the Commercial Project of the Year award for single-family residences between zero and 1,999 square feet. Spane Buildings also won the award for best accessory building larger than 2,000 square feet. Christopher Homes of Mount Vernon won the award for best single-family residence between 2,000 and 3,000 square feet.
Cascade Custom Homes and Design of Oak Harbor won the award for best single-family residence larger than 3,001 square feet. Levitator Inc. of Everett won the award for best multi-family (10 and more units) condominiums. The overall Project of the Year award went to Yonkman Construction for its Grand Beach House entry.

Port of Anacortes receives permits
The Port of Anacortes has recently announced that it received all of the permits required for starting work on Project Pier I.
The port received the final approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after approximately 19 months of review by the regulatory agencies.
Project Pier I is a public-private partnership with the Port’s tenant, Dakota Creek Industries (DCI), a shipbuilding and repair company. Together, the Port and DCI have redesigned the shipyard and some adjacent properties. The project will improve the Port’s public waterway to greatly increase the operational flexibility and capacity of the shipyard.
A new rail transfer system will also be constructed to accommodate moving large vessels within the shipyard. The new layout will also allow DCI to work on larger vessels.

Bellingham Slam joins new league
The Bellingham Slam has announced that the team has withdrawn its affiliation with the American Basketball Association (ABA) and has received approval to join the International Basketball League (IBL), effective with the announcement earlier this summer. The Slam originally joined the ABA as an expansion team in fall 2005 and played two seasons. The team reached the quarterfinals of the ABA Playoffs both seasons.
While both leagues feature similar professional-caliber players, the most significant change for the Slam will be the timing of the team’s season. The IBL is a spring league, running from mid-March to early July. By contrast, the ABA plays a more traditional season from November to March. The IBL’s season is also considerably shorter, with 20 regular season games scheduled compared to the ABA’s 36 game schedule.
Bellingham is the eighth team in the last three seasons to withdraw from the ABA in order to compete in a different league, but the first to make the switch to the IBL.
The league change will allow the Slam to develop regional rivalries with nearby teams. In the IBL there are nine other teams in Washington and Oregon, including teams in Everett, Seattle and Tacoma.
While the Slam will be facing new opponents for the 2008 season, the team will have at least one familiar face on the bench as head coach Rob Ridnour will return to lead the team in the IBL. Ridnour has compiled a 43-26 record in two seasons with the Slam, and helped guide the team to first place in the ABA’s Western Conference during the 2006-07 regular season.

Pro Marketing Works celebrates grand opening
Pro Marketing Works, Bellingham’s only marketing company specifically dedicated to meeting the unique promotional needs of local businesses, celebrates its grand opening, including ribbon-cutting ceremony, Thursday Sept. 13, 4-6 p.m.
Pro Marketing Works, which is owned and operated by Peter James, transforms his former business, Peter James Photographic Art, into a full-service marketing company with a proprietary system for planning, producing and tracking the success of businesses’ advertising and promotional materials. The goal of the system is to take the complexity out of marketing, while increasing its effectiveness.
Services offered by Pro Marketing Works include identity systems, business cards, brochures, Web sites, print ads, signs, business portraits, commercial photography and more.
Pro Marketing Works is the only marketing company – locally, regionally or otherwise – to have developed effective marketing systems designed especially to meet the needs of local, small-to-medium sized businesses, James said.
In addition to these new and unique services, Pro Marketing Works has expanded its staff – including an associate director, graphic designers, Web master, writers and photographers – all of whom use their talents and expertise to promote Bellingham’s new and growing business community.
Pro Marketing Works is a member of Sustainable Connections, the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce and Whatcom Young Professionals.

WWU hosts Washington Business Week
Washington Business Week, which allowed high school students to learn about the world of business, took place at Western Washington University Aug. 5-11.
Students interested in general business or accounting spent a week at WWU with professionals from across the state to learn how to become the future business leaders of Washington.
“It’s a way of connecting school work with real life,” said Stephen Hyer, executive director of Washington Business Week.
Hyer said students who participated got the opportunity to see the relevance and relationship of schoolwork to the business world.
The students attended business discussions, role-playing exercises and computer simulation groups designed to give them an understanding of the business world.

Skagit Lavanderia joins Coin Laundry Association program
Mount Vernon-based Skagit Lavanderia has gained membership in the Coin Laundry Association’s FiveStar Laundry Program by meeting goals established by the organization. The goals included consistently pleasing customers, attaining a good professional reputation and working to lessen the business’ environmental impact by upgrading its equipment.
Coin laundry companies in the FiveStar Laundry Program are dedicated to delivering the highest quality laundry facilities and service. These companies provide better equipment, large machines, oversize machines for special needs, and a clean, comfortable and safe environment.
The Coin Laundry Association is headquartered in Downers Grove, Ill., and is a nonprofit trade organization with more than 2,800 members.

City of Bellingham officials receive emergency training
Bellingham Fire Chief Bill Boyd recently announced that several city officials have been accepted to participate in emergency management training at the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) prestigious Emergency Management Institute, an opportunity only offered to a few municipalities each year.
The training is an intense comprehensive course that places public officials and emergency response personnel in realistic disaster environments. It exposes them to high stress and teaches them how to work together to resolve crisis situations.
Boyd, who serves as the city’s emergency management director, said being accepted into this program meets a long-term goal of city officials.
“We have been working toward receiving this invitation ever since the tragic Olympic Pipeline explosion in 1999,” he said. “It is a very competitive process among communities, made even more so by the increased awareness to better prepare our communities.”

State blueberry harvest to exceed 20 million pounds
Washington state’s blueberry harvest is under way and, with a boost from Whatcom and Skagit counties, promises to deliver fresh berries to grocery stores and restaurants across the region through mid-September.
The state expects a crop weighing at least 20 million pounds, which betters last year’s crop by approximately 2 million pounds. The state currently ranks sixth in total U.S. blueberry production.
There are 135 blueberry growers in Washington state, with approximately 3,500 acres of farmland devoted to growing blueberries. Most of the blueberries are grown and harvested in Skagit, Clark, Lewis, Snohomish, Thurston and Whatcom counties. This year, however, was the first year that blueberries were produced in the Chelan, Tri-Cities and Yakima areas of Eastern Washington.

Hardy & Associates joins regional, national associations
Hardy & Associates, a Bellingham-based real estate agency, recently joined regional and national broker associations.
Hardy & Associates qualified for membership in the National Association of Independent Real Estate Brokers and the Independent Broker’s Association, which is based in Western Washington. Hardy & Associates is the only member of IBA in Whatcom County.
“These two associations bring us referrals from other brokers about people who are moving to Whatcom County,” said Blain Hardy, who owns Hardy & Associates with his wife, Jill. “As a result, we work with buyers who are actively seeking residences in this area.”
Hardy & Associates serves residential and commercial clients. Blain Hardy, a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), has more than 20 years of real estate experience and focuses on commercial properties. Jill Hardy is a residential specialist with three years of real estate experience.

Chabad of Whatcom County expands
The Whatcom County-based Chabad Jewish Community and Student Organization recently signed a lease that will allow its Chabad House to expand.
This expansion will provide additional space so that more programs, such as events for children and students, can be implemented to serve the growing needs of Chabad’s community.
The organization began in February 2006 and is committed to creating a personal and meaningful connection to Judaism for members of its community.

Culligan Northwest wins customer service award
For its outstanding customer service record, Culligan Northwest, a regional water supplier, has received the “Excellence in Customer Service and Consumer Relations” award from Culligan International.
This award was presented to just 5 percent of Culligan dealerships throughout the United States. Culligan Northwest qualified for the award by receiving zero escalated customer complaints within one calendar year.
“This unblemished customer service record really reflects our business philosophy,” says owner Eric Clarke. “We believe in providing the highest quality products and services in the most timely and courteous manner possible. That’s how we keep customer satisfaction high.”
Culligan Northwest’s clientele includes homeowners and business owners throughout Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan counties. These customers use the local dealership for bottled water services, water treatment systems, pumps, well services and consulting.
Culligan Northwest also handles commercial projects that bring large-scale water supplies to public and private facilities such as schools, grocery stores, restaurants and hotels.

Bellingham’s Ershigs Inc. expands to Mississippi
Ershigs Inc., a Bellingham-based fiberglass manufacturer, has recently announced that it will be expanding to Tishomingo County in Northeast Mississippi.
The company will lease several buildings at the Tri-State Commerce Park from Tishomingo County’s board of supervisors. Ershigs will manufacture large fiberglass chimney liners and other fiberglass components, and will initially employ at least 25 workers with as many as 100 expected within 24 months.
“Tishomingo County was attractive to us because of the skilled labor force and the local leadership is supportive of business and industry,” said Rod Courtney, Ershigs’ vice president of field operations. “Tri-State Commerce Park (will) give us the flexibility to ship our large components by water.”
Ershigs also announced that Richard Spears will be the site manager of the Tishomingo County facility. The company is scheduled to begin the expansion in September.

Whidbey expo seeks participants
Island County businesses interested in showcasing their products and services at the region’s largest business expo can sign up now for the 2007 Uniquely Whidbey Biz Expo. The expo will be held in the newly completed Coupeville Sports Complex on Oct. 13-14. Join the more than 140 booth exhibitors that reside on Whidbey Island who use this opportunity to showcase their goods and services. Registration is open now. Email edcinfo@whidbey.net for a registration packet.

Construction under way on new Bellingham museum
On Aug. 2, the city of Bellingham began construction on a new Art and Children’s Museum in downtown Bellingham. The museum will be located at the corner of Grand Avenue and Flora street, which is one block east of the 1892 Whatcom Museum campus.
Bellingham Mayor Tim Douglas and Whatcom County Executive Pete Kremen joined Whatcom Museum Society President Jeff McClure and Campaign for the Arts President Ken Culver in the official ground-breaking ceremony.
The museum, which is a culmination of nearly five years of site-acquisition, programming, design work and financial planning, is scheduled to open spring 2009.
When finished, the museum will be a two-story building that will provide 42,700 square feet of space for art galleries and collections, for exuberant and energetic children’s activities and for art education.

Skagit Valley Business 2 Consumer Expo Slated to Draw Crowd of Thousands
The first annual Skagit Valley Business 2 Consumer Expo, Sept. 15 and 16 at the Skagit County Fairgrounds, is slated to attract more than 3,000 Skagit County residents to learn about the varied businesses that operate in their backyard. Conceived by the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce, the B2C will offer businesses a chance to showcase their products and services in a non-selling environment and consumers a chance to understand how businesses in Skagit County keep the economy running.
The expo includes entertainment on two stages, a wide sampling of Skagit County restaurants and food vendors, helicopter and pony rides, a free SCUBA tank and sprint cars with drivers. Participating businesses include printers, utilities, real estate, massage therapy, radio stations, universities, construction and many more.
The B2C Expo is free to the public. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15 and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 16.

Moss Adams hosts friendly competition
Moss Adams LLP hosted its second annual Trap-N-Skeet Competition at the Bellingham Gun Club on July 20. Brad Howell from All American Marine was high scorer and won the event.
“Moss Adams tries to find creative ways to connect with our clients outside of the office or normal business hours,” said Charlie Shannon, financial institutions senior manager. “Getting to know our clients helps us to better meet their needs, and the Trap-N-Skeet event is just one of the many opportunities we find that is fun, casual and informative.”
Moss Adams LLP is the 12th largest certified public accounting and consulting firm in the United States and is the largest firm headquartered in the West.

Common Ground Construction creates partnerships
Common Ground Construction has partnered with Jessica Renner of Studiohatch and Judith Sult of Here’s How Marketing & Research to develop the company’s brand and marketing strategies.
Studiohatch and Here’s How Marketing & Research will team up on a variety of projects to ensure that clients receive design and marketing strategies for short- and long-term success.
Common Ground Construction owners Scott and Cheryl Perry have many years of construction experience in Whatcom and Skagit counties. They offer full-service building design, permitting and construction including site work and concrete finish work. Projects range from homes and outbuildings to agricultural and commercial facilities.

Curnow & Co. has new name
Curnow & Company, P.S., a certified public accounting firm, recently announced that it has restructured the organization of the business. The new company will now be called Curnow & Curnow, PLLC.
The name change was the result of the promotion of Jack W. Curnow, CPA, to the position of managing partner. Curnow brings nine years of experience in accounting and finance to the firm and holds a Certified Public Accountant license as well as a Certified Forensic Accountant designation.
Jack L. Curnow is the firm’s founding partner and holds multiple certifications including Certified Public Accountant, Certified Valuation Analyst and Certified Fraud Examiner.

Banner Bank opens new branch in Bellingham
Banner Bank has opened a branch in Bellingham’s Sehome district. This branch, named a pocket branch for its size, is unlike any of the bank’s other branches.
It opened Aug. 24 and looks more like a café than a typical bank. The branch features a drive-thru and an ATM, but also has an inviting lounge with a plasma TV, premium beverages and a selection of reading materials.
The 1,400-square-foot branch has several self-serve kiosks and a self-serve espresso machine. Overall, the branch has a more casual approach and offers promotions geared toward college students.
The bank has hired Lowanna Kohler to manage the branch. Prior to joining Banner Bank, she worked for Bank of America in Bellingham.

Northwest Indian College offers new transfer degree
Northwest Indian College President Cheryl Crazy Bull recently announced that the college is now accredited to offer an Associate of Applied Science-Transfer in its early childhood education degree program effective fall 2007.
The transfer degree is designed for people pursuing careers in the early care and education field. With a strong emphasis in early childhood, students are prepared for positions as lead teachers and for a variety of other employment opportunities in Head Start, childcare and other birth-to-six programs.
Students with this degree are also prepared to transfer to specific four-year degree programs.

The Clothes Line celebrates sixth anniversary
The Clothes Line, a children’s and maternity consignment boutique in Mount Vernon, is celebrating its sixth anniversary.
“We’ve enjoyed working in the consignment industry, because it means that the clothing, toys and children’s items that come through will enjoy new life in someone else’s home,” said Cassie Jacobson, who owns the store with her two daughters, Kimberly Menne and Angela Wright.
The store also recently upgraded and moved to a bigger location. The new 2,500-square-foot retail space was needed to accommodate the tremendous growth and needs of their clients.
“In the last 12 months, we have more than doubled our cliental and now have almost 1,000 active consignors,” said Menne. “We really needed more space to be able to consign the larger items such as cribs, strollers, baby gear and larger toys.”

RIS Insurance Services receives top award
RIS Insurance Services Inc. has earned the “Delivering the Difference” award from Great West Casualty Company. The award recognizes RIS as the top agency representing Great West in 2006. Great West provides insurance products and services to the trucking industry through more than 160 agencies in 41 states, and it is one of the largest truck insurers in the United States.
In receiving the award, RIS Insurance Services has consistently demonstrated a high degree of professionalism, relentless pursuit of customer service and partnership with Great West. The agency actively participates in safety activities with its customers, proactively reviews claims issues, and promptly addresses any concerns.

Signs By Tomorrow starts online ordering service
Signs By Tomorrow recently announced that it has a new customized online ordering tool accessible through its Web site. Customers can access a personalized signage catalogue, view recent orders, customize signage, approve proofs and place orders quickly and efficiently from any computer 24 hours a day.
“(This service) is perfect for our customers with multiple locations, and for whom brand consistency is important,” said David Wiggs, co-owner of Signs By Tomorrow. “We help protect brand image by offering multiple users within a company access to approved sign designs to ensure compliance to graphic standards. And ordering signs has never been easier for our customers.”

Silver Reef Casino begins 24-hour operations
The Silver Reef Hotel Casino and Spa recently announced that it began 24-hour, seven-day-a-week gaming operations on July 15.
The expanded casino hours will allow the Red River Café to open at 6 a.m. daily. The bar now opens at 7 a.m. every day with cocktail service to the gaming floor.
The expanded hours will make the Silver Reef the only casino in Northwest Washington to operate 24 hours a day seven days a week.

Innovative Terrain adds blower truck service
Innovative Terrain LLC of Lynden has added an Express Blower EB60 blower truck to its landscaping support operations. The truck is capable of blowing landscape materials in place such as bark, mulch, compost, soil blends and playchips up to 500 feet.
“We are very excited to offer this unique service that is needed in our area. The time and labor that this service saves in placing landscape materials is beneficial to home owners, contractors and commercial applications,” said Renea VanderPol, owner and manager.
Other services offered by Innovative include Terraseeding, soil amendments and erosion control.

Construction begins on Padilla Heights Business Suites
Construction recently started on the first phase of Padilla Heights Business Suites, a $6.5-million, 70-unit project in Anacortes. Padilla Heights Business Suites will offer units that can be utilized for light manufacturing, offices, storage and/or construction equipment. With 12-foot by 14-foot overhead doors, they also will accommodate boats and recreation vehicles. Ed Knorr of Anacortes, a partner in the project with Tony Pechthalt of Bellingham, said the units will be sold like condominiums. “Padilla Heights Business Suites provides individuals, contractors and small businesses an affordable method of building equity rather than paying rent,” Knorr said. “We don’t have anything else like this in the area.” Each unit will include high-speed Internet access, bathroom, gas heating and three-phase electrical outlets.

International Absorbents named VIP vendor by Petco International
Absorbents Inc. a leading developer and producer of environmentally friendly pet care and industrial products, recently announced that its subsidiary, Absorption Corp, was named a VIP vendor by Petco Animal Supplies Inc. Petco is one of the nation’s largest pet specialty retailer chains. VIP vendors are among Petco’s most important vendors and strategic partners. This is the seventh year in a row that Absorption Corp has been named a VIP Vendor. International Absorbents Inc. develops, manufactures and markets commercial products derived from recycled, renewable materials.

Local farmers can enroll in agriculture program
The Northwest Agriculture Business Center and Washington State University Extension will co-host a product development course for farmers in Northwest Washington. This intensive nine- to 12-month training program will guide each of the 36 participants through business and marketing plan development and product evaluation. Eligible products include food crops, greenhouses, nurseries, livestock and poultry. The course is subsidized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is offered at no charge to enrollees. The program’s goal is to launch at least 18 local farm products by the end of the program. Space is limited to 36 enrollees. Registration forms and details are available at: www.AgBizCenter.org. Applications are due by Sept. 30.

Oasys hosts information expo
Oasys Office Automation Systems presents an information expo Thursday, Sept. 20 at its Burlington location. The afternoon will showcase easy-to-use business solutions and feature Q & A sessions. R.S.V.P. is required: 360.755.0309. Following the expo, Oasys hosts the Burlington Chamber of Commerce Social After Work at 5 p.m. Avenue Catering and VIP Espresso are catering the event; wine provided by Carpenter Creek Winery and beer provided by Birdsview Brewery.

Seahawks Shuttle back for 2007
Airporter Shuttle and Bellair Charters are offering round-trip transportation to all Seattle Seahawks home games in 2007. “It’s the best way to get to the games,” said sales manager Adrienne Booth. “Riders save on gas, they avoid traffic and parking hassles, and they get dropped off right at the stadium.” The buses will pick up passengers in Bellingham, Mount Vernon and Marysville and arrive at Qwest Field an hour before game time. Round-trip fare is only $22 per person, and 24-hour advance reservations are required.