Burlington’s Dri-Eaz merges with Pennsylvania company
II Rep-Z, Inc., better known as Microban Systems Inc. and Unsmoke Systems, and Dri-Eaz Products Inc., announced in December that the two companies have merged.
“The strategic combination of II Rep-Z’s specialty chemical business with Dri-Eaz’ drying equipment manufacturing business creates an ideal platform for providing customers with a full range of advanced property loss reduction solutions,” said Bill Bruders, Dri-Eaz president.
II Rep-Z’s Unsmoke and Microban Systems brands and the Dri-Eaz brand will be housed under an overarching corporate entity called Legend Brands.
Dri-Eaz will continue to operate out of its headquarters in Burlington, Wash., with satellite offices in Nashville, Tenn., and Newport Pagnell, U.K., and II Rep-Z will continue operations in its current headquarters in Coraopolis, Penn.

WWU, St. Joseph Hospital form partnership
Western Washington University and St. Joseph Hospital are joining forces to form the Critical Junctures Institute, a center focused on community health and outreach.
The institute will be funded by WWU and the hospital, and will have its office in the former Port of Bellingham headquarters building on Cornwall Avenue.
WWU sociology professor Jay Teachman and Marc Pierson, the hospital’s vice president of medical affairs and clinical information, will serve as the institute’s associate directors. Chris Phillips, also from the hospital, will serve as the interim director until a permanent director is hired; Phillips will then assume the role of community liaison for the institute.

Wilder sells to Granite Construction
California-based Granite Construction Incorporated (NYSE: GVA) announced in November that the minority employee-shareholders of Wilder Construction Company have approved the sale of their shares to Granite. Wilder is the Everett-based heavy civil construction company in which Granite currently holds (through a subsidiary) a 76.8 percent interest. Under the terms of the agreement, the minority shares of Wilder will be acquired for approximately $28 million in cash.
After the merger becomes effective in early 2008, Wilder will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Granite Construction Company and its operations will function as two separate branches, the Northwest Washington Branch and the Alaska Branch. In addition, Wilder’s Washington assets, which include a Bellingham office, will be contributed to Granite Northwest (a wholly owned subsidiary of Granite Construction Company) and the Alaska operations will be merged into Granite Construction Company.

Poultry Processing Workshop
Common Threads Farm and Heifer International will co-host and facilitate a meeting for anyone interested in learning more about raising poultry for on-farm sales or personal consumption. The workshop will take place Jan. 12 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Garden Street Family Center, Bellingham.
This meeting is for poultry producers of all sizes and will be an opportunity to learn from seasoned poultry farmers, regulators and agricultural industry supporters. Guest speakers will cover topics related to small scale pastured chicken processing as well as mobile processing units, shared processing equipment, and poultry licensing and regulatory issues of Washington state.
For more information about the Poultry Processing Workshop, please contact Common Threads Farm in Lummi Island: 360.927.1590 or visit www.AgBizCenter.org for details. Both childcare and translation services are available free of charge with advanced notice. Space is limited; RSVP requested.

Domistyle wins two awards
Domistyle, a Bellingham-based residential design firm specializing in kitchens and baths, recently received two design awards for local projects – one in the large bath category and another in the small/medium kitchen category.
Domistyle received the awards from the Puget Sound Chapter of the National Kitchen and Bath Association, a 40,000-member network of skilled professionals in the kitchen and bath design industry.
“We strive to provide the best end result for every space we are designing, whether it’s a kitchen, bath or other interior project,” said Jan Hayes, certified master kitchen and bath designer and co-owner of Domistyle. “It’s always a nice bonus to receive some peer recognition for our efforts.”

International Absorbents wins outstanding achievement award
Ferndale-based International Absorbents Inc., a leading developer and producer of environmentally friendly pet care products, recently announced that its subsidiary, Absorption Corp, has won Petcetera’s first “Outstanding Achievement Award” in the live animals and supplies category.
Petcetera, Canada’s leading pet superstore, recognized Absorption Corp for initiating a new in-store program for its live animal habitats, achieving a sales increase of more than 50 percent in 2007, and for strong support of Petcetera’s national flyer program.

Whidbey Island writers conference celebrates 10th Year
From Feb. 29 through March 2, Whidbey Island will again play host to what many consider one of the best writers’ conferences in the United States. This year, the 10th anniversary of the conference, 50 major authors from many genres and 12 editors, agents and publishers will be doing presentations and meeting with participants over the three-day conference.
The conference has a new director, Pam Owen, who said she is excited about her new position and is looking forward to the greatest conference yet. Owen brings to her job a strong commitment to making the conference as beneficial as possible for both experienced and aspiring writers.
“As a voracious reader, I want to encourage writers to expand their creative options,” Owen said.

ACB to develop multi-mission armored watercraft
Thanks in part to the efforts of Rep. Rick Larsen, D.-Wash., and his staff, Bellingham-based Aluminum Chambered Boats received more than $1.2 million to develop a multi-mission armored watercraft.
The watercraft combines advanced electronics for communication with an effective, lightweight armor system, which will enhance the safety and communications for the craft's use in joint military operations. The watercraft can also be used for commercial and humanitarian applications around the globe.
ACB is also working to develop a lightweight ballistic system that will support U.S. military operations around the world. In addition to several global military applications, ACB sees significant opportunity in using the lightweight ballistic system in a number of commercial applications.

Sustainable Connections Business Members Optimistic about Doing Business Locally
In November Bellingham-based nonprofit Sustainable Connections conducted a poll of its business members, and with nearly half of them responding, found their members to be greatly optimistic.
Recently the city of Bellingham hired Applied Research Northwest to survey the general Bellingham business community, and that survey showed businesses have a fairly positive economic outlook and attitude toward doing business here. However, at 28 percent, almost twice as many of the Sustainable Connections business members believe that this is an “excellent” place to do business, compared to 14 percent of businesses citywide, (members of Sustainable Connections or not). In addition, 67 percent of Sustainable Connections’ business members versus only 46 percent of the general business community in the city’s poll said it was a “very good” to “excellent” place to do business.
The poll found locally owned businesses to be enthusiastic supporters of local nonprofit charitable organizations. Thirty-one percent of the respondents give to five to 10 nonprofits per year, and another 32 percent give to more than 11 nonprofits per year, even as many as three per week.
Michelle Long, executive director of Sustainable Connections, said, “It’s exciting to see how engaged in our community and committed to being here our local businesses are.”
Sustainable Connections, which since its inception in 2002 has grown more than 20 percent a year to its current membership of 600 local businesses, was founded to support business stewardship of community and in turn to ask the community to support their local businesses.

Skagit Championship Sports to host softball tournament
The American Softball Association (ASA) recently announced that Skagit Championship Sports and Skagit Valley will host the championship of the 2009 ASA Girls’ 14 and under “A” division, a part of the Western National Fastpitch Softball Tournament.
This will be the third event awarded to Skagit Valley in the last nine years, and the events established the value of holding national championships in rural areas.
The tournament is tentatively scheduled for July 28 through Aug. 2, 2009, with its opening ceremonies on July 27. The ASA anticipated that 80 teams and approximately 2,500 people will be spending the week in Skagit County. The economic contribution of the event should easily exceed $2 million.

Building council establishes environmentally friendly partnership
The Cascadia Region Green Building Council has established a new partnership that will enhance its green building initiatives, education programs and outreach throughout the Northwest. The building council has joined Bellingham-based Sustainable Connections’ green building program.
The program promotes healthy, efficient and environmentally responsible homes, neighborhoods and workplaces. The program achieves this through education, technical assistance and advocacy. Both organizations promote the value of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, among other tools and programs, to improve the performance of new and existing buildings.

Bellingham Marine nears 50th anniversary
Bellingham Marine, one of the most recognizable names in concrete flotation and marina design, will soon celebrate its 50th year in business. Known for its site-specific marina design and its Unifloat concrete floating dock system, Bellingham Marine’s docks and marinas are used by boating enthusiasts and professionals around the world.
The Unifloat system revolutionized the industry and brought to the forefront the concept of concrete flotation. Although it’s changed much over the years, the patented design is still considered to be the most reliable, low-cost, low-maintenance design for connecting float systems.
From Australia to Malaysia to Europe, Japan, the United States, Mexico and Central America, Bellingham Marine continues to set the standard for floating dock systems.

BoonDocks Boats and Motors announces Five Star Dealer Certification
BoonDocks Boats and Motors Inc. is proud to announce its recognition as a Five Star Marine Dealership, which became official Nov. 7. In business for more than 25 years, BoonDocks will become only the third sales and service marine dealership in Washington to obtain the Five Star status.
All Five Star dealerships are required to participate and pass the Five Star Solutions dealership certification program, follow a strict code of conduct and ethics, and participate in company-wide training.
BoonDocks Boats and Motors is an authorized sales and service dealership for SeaSport, Osprey and Starcraft boats, Volvo Penta and Mercruiser marine propulsion systems, and Yamaha outboard motors.

State economic development services go local
Gov. Chris Gregoire recently announced the opening of seven regional economic development offices across Washington that will provide resources for economic development organizations, communities and industries.
The offices, branches of the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED), are an important component of Gregoire’s 10-year business strategy for the state. The Northwest office, located in Mount Vernon, serves Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Island and San Juan counties.

DeWaard & Jones Company changes name
DeWaard & Jones Company, a Bellingham-based business information solutions provider, has changed its name to The Socrates Group, company President Bob Jones recently announced.
The change reflects both a change of ownership and a complete overhaul of the business. Jones has purchased the assets of his former partner, Dick DeWaard, who will stay on as an independent consultant.
“We’ve taken on a name that better suggests the thinking we do to help business owners and managers improve their internal information systems so that their businesses can grow,” said Jones.
The Socrates Group has grown to include five consultants and two full-time employees who spend most of their time building business solutions for local clients.

Drayton Harbor Road project awarded to Ram Construction
Whatcom County Public Works awarded the contract for repair of Drayton Harbor Road to Ram Construction Company. Ram Construction began work on the repair Nov. 19, and depending on the weather, hopes to finish the project and reopen the road by spring 2008.

City off ferndale receives permit-tracking grant
Gov. Chris Gregoire recently announced that $175,000 in grants has been awarded to support local government efforts in developing electronic permit-tracking systems. The tracking system will allow businesses to find timely information about the status of land-use and development projects in Washington.
The city of Ferndale will receive $10,000 for an automated system for a new development center that will allow information exchange and fee management.

Fairhaven restaurant wins award from Wine Enthusiast
Flats Tapas, a restaurant in Bellingham’s Fairhaven district, has won Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s 2007 “Award of Distinction” as one of the most wine-friendly restaurants in the United States.
The restaurant also recently received the “Chef’s 2006 Favorite Dishes Award” from a KCTS TV program, and owners Rich and Yasmine McCudden were featured on the show cooking their yams bravas dish.

Bellingham receives award for financial reporting
For the seventh year in a row, the city of Bellingham has received a “Certificate of Achievement” for excellence in financial reporting in recognition of the city’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for 2006.
“This award assures our citizens and bondholders that the city uses accurate and sound accounting and financial reporting practices,” Bellingham Finance Director Therese Holm said.
Holm said the award is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.

Company creates products for dogs enjoying open road
Pets in vehicles has become commonplace. That’s why Heininger Automotive, based in Bellingham, has created PortablePET. This new division is for dog owners and will produce products those owners can use to enhance car rides with their dogs.
“The traveling pet category of our business is a perfect, natural extension for business growth,” said company owner and founder Jeff Heininger. “More often than not, people are including their pets on road trips creating an ideal scenario for a new assortment of products from us.”
Production of the new line has already started. Heininger has teamed with Napa, Calif.-based Lixit Corp, which has specialized in pet-related products for nearly 40 years. They are producing a number of custom products for Heininger in addition to several other products created exclusively by Heininger.

WCC receives lifelong-learning awards
On Nov. 15, the community education department of Whatcom Community College was honored with two international awards by the Learning Resources Network (LERN).
The awards were presented at association’s annual conference in Orlando, Fla., to WCC staff members Shandeen Gemanis, Linda Howson, Katie Jensen, Lynne Swan and Mitch Tlustos, who accepted it on their department’s behalf.
LERN is an international association of lifelong-learning organizations, offering information and resources to providers of lifelong-learning programs. WCC received the “Best Internet Home Page” and “Best Programming” awards.

Nordic Tugs to display at Dusseldorf boat show
Hot on the heels of its successful debut at the Southampton Boat Show in England in September, Nordic Tugs is set to make its official debut in Germany at the Dusseldorf Boat Show from Jan. 19-27.
On display will be the Nordic Tug 37, the most popular model in a line that spans from 32 to 54 feet. The Nordic Tug 37 has all of the qualities upon which Nordic Tugs has built their reputation: top-quality materials and craftsmanship, brisk yet highly fuel efficient performance and renowned seaworthiness.

Pickford Cinema celebrates ninth anniversary
The Pickford Cinema, Bellingham’s only independent cinema, celebrated its ninth Anniversary Nov. 25 with a screening of “Suds,” a film starring the one and only Mary Pickford.
Founded in 1998 by a group of cinema enthusiasts, The Pickford and its parent nonprofit, the Whatcom Film Association, have become a Bellingham landmark dedicated to providing a forum and resource for independent cinema, strengthening community through education, dialogue and the celebration of film.
Currently, the growing WFA is renovating its property on Bay Street into The Pickford Film Center, a two-screen, 250-seat facility that will include a large lobby, concessions and café area, and gallery and meeting space.

Chamber of Commerce awards banquet attracts crowd
The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce hosted its third annual awards banquet recently at the Best Western Lakeway Inn & Conference Center. A crowd of nearly 300 attended and six awards were handed out: Small Business and Large Business of the Year, Non-Profit and Green Business of the Year and Man and Woman of the Year.
Robeks received the award for Small Business and WECU was named Large Business of the Year. Lighthouse Mission Ministries was awarded the Non-Profit of the Year Award. The first-ever Green Business of the Year was awarded to Ryzex. Claire VG Thomas was named Woman of the Year and Mel Hollinger received the Man of the Year Award.

Bellhaven Yacht Sales merges with Bellharbor Yacht Sales
Bellhaven Yacht Sales and Charters, a Bellingham-based brokerage, charter and sailing school company, recently announced that it has merged with Bellharbor Yacht Sales, the largest powerboat broker in Whatcom County.
Together, the companies will be able to offer a wider range of brokerage services as well as increased support coverage to the marine industry. In addition, the merger strengthens both companies’ clientele list of those wanting to either purchase or sell their yacht, and will provide a higher level of service to their charter clients.
Over the next few months the companies will be integrating their operations and staff to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for customers and partners. The merged organization launched under the Bellhaven name Jan. 1.
The merged companies will feature it products and services on Jan. 25 at the Seattle Boat Show.

Community Car Share adds second car
Bellingham-based Community Car Share (CCS) has added a second vehicle to its fleet and increased its membership through three local organizations. The company recently added a 2000 VW Beetle and increased the number of vehicles available to Community Car Share members.
CCS started in August 2006 with a Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle stationed at the Bellingham Public Market. The Beetle will be stationed on Railroad Avenue adjacent the newly remodeled Whatcom Transit Authority bus depot.
The car share also expanded its membership this month by almost 40 percent by establishing deals with three local groups: Whole Energy Biofuels, Sustainable Connections and the Whatcom County Public Works Department.