Choose Whatcom, a collaboration of business service, economic development and workforce organizations, unveiled a new regional economic development tool to an audience of over 150 business and government leaders recently at the Pickford Film Center. With support from the Port of Bellingham, City of Bellingham, and Whatcom County, Choose Whatcom has developed a unique website to help business professionals find the information they need to be successful in Whatcom County.
The website connects to free tools, including a Whatcom County Startup Guide and Relocation Guide, which are available at the click of a mouse. Contact information for specialized support team members is provided to help businesses start, grow or relocate, and the website contains helpful information about real estate, education, financing, business incentives and more.
The website launch event showcased videos of successful Whatcom County businesses, which can also be viewed online at www.ChooseWhatcom.com. Industries highlighted on the website include manufacturing, food and beverage, technology, recreation, health and wellness, agriculture and maritime. Testimonials from area businesses such as Faithlife, Erin Baker’s, Aslan Brewing, Family Care Network, All American Marine, and Transition Bikes are featured on the website designed by Red Rokk, a local digital creative agency based in Bellingham.
Bellingham Mayor Kelli Linville enthusiastically supports the project. “A successful regional economy requires partnerships with Whatcom County and its small cities; the Port of Bellingham; all the educational institutions; business leaders; workforce training agencies, innovators and funders; and all the connections in between," she said at the website launch.
Whatcom County Executive Jack Louws also expressed his support at the website launch. “Economic development in Whatcom County will benefit from this new centralized on-line resource, and I’m very pleased with the quality of this work," he said.
Whatcom County has firmly established itself as a great place to do business," Port of Bellingham Executive Director Rob Fix added. "The Choose Whatcom website conveys a positive message while providing a tremendous resource for business professionals to find success in Whatcom County.”
Team Whatcom, the local organizations behind www.ChooseWhatcom.com, hope their new website will be the hub to help all business professionals find the information they need to be successful in Whatcom County. Team members meet on a monthly basis and are committed to continually generating ways to move business forward in Whatcom County.