Beach at Sunset by Peter James Photography Studio, provided courtesy of Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism County Whatcom Bellingham of courtesy provided Studio, Photography James Peter by Sunset at Beach 2016 Community & Business Resource Directory 1559347 Table of Welcome to Whatcom County: ......................................................Contentspage 4 Our communities: Bellingham ............................................................................ page 5-7 Birch Bay, Blaine, Deming, Ferndale, Lynden, Nooksack, Sumas, Sudden Valley Lummi Nation ....................................................................... page 8-9 Education ........................................................................... page 10-12 Employment & Major Employers ..............................................page 13 Healthcare ................................................................................page 14 Retirement ................................................................................page 15 Government .............................................................................page 16 Life on the Canadian border .....................................................page 17 Outdoor Recreation ..................................................................page 18 Sports .......................................................................................page 19 Shopping/Dining/Entertainment ........................................ page 20-21 Real Estate ...............................................................................page 22 Convention and Meeting Space ...............................................page 23 Lummi Nation ...........................................................................page 24 Whatcom County: Open for Business .......................................page 26 Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber ................................................page 27 Economic Development & Business Resources ...........................page 28 Agriculture: A Valuable Economic Driver ..................................page 29 Chamber Member listings .................................................. page 30-49 Categorical business listings ............................................... page 50-52 Relocation information and contacts ........................................page 53 Annual Bellingham Events ........................................................page 54 Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry 119 N. Commercial St., Suite 110 Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 734-1330 [email protected] http://bellingham.com © Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry Made possible in part by a Tourism Promotion Grant from Whatcom County. No portion of the directory may be reproduced without the written consent of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce does not assume responsibility for errors or omissions. This directory contains listings of those Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce members in good standing at the time of publication. Gods rays over Lake Whatcom sunrise by Lou Nicksic. Photo provided courtesy of the City of Bellingham. toWelcome Whatcom County A great place to call Bordering British Columbia, Canada and the Pacific Ocean, home!Whatcom County combines local industry, a variety of outdoor activities, the savvy of a college town, and a robust lifestyle dating back to 1854. The area is filled with magnificent scenery, a culture of outdoor recreation, environmental activism, the Alaska Ferry, the Canadian border, Mt. Baker and the Cascade Mountain Range, the Salish Sea, local food, spirits, art and music. These are all part of the genuine Whatcom County experience. The sparkling water and peaceful recreation by Kathleen Kitto. Photo provided courtesy of the City of Bellingham 4 2016 Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry On the Waterfront On the waterfront by Jamie Valenta provided courtesy of the City of Bellingham. Climate Averages Bellingham Pop. 82,631 | Whatcom County Pop. 206,353 Bellingham J F M A M J J A S O N D High 45 49 52 57 62 66 74 72 68 59 50 45 Located amid the green islands of the We experience all four seasons. Springtime (°F) Washington coast and the majestic peak is amazing. This is tulip country and when of Mt. Baker, Bellingham is a cozy commu- the tulips are in bloom, it’s a cornucopia Low 32 35 37 41 46 51 54 54 49 42 37 33 nity shared by about 82,000 people while of color. Summer brings warm tempera- (°F) Western Washington University brings tures with snowmelt filling local rivers for Precip. thousands of new, energetic residents rafters, kayakers and fishermen. Fall and 4.8 3.5 3.0 2.8 2.3 2.0 1.4 1.3 1.6 3.3 5.4 4.9 annually. Our neighbors to the north flood winter is generally our rainy season with an (in.) to Whatcom County on weekend shopping occasional sprinkle of snow. But on those trips and weekend excursions over Canadi- clear, sunny winter days, the view of the Annual Averages an holiday weekends. snow-covered mountains make it all worth it! Rainfall (in.) 36 Bellinghamsters are active people. With Snowfall (in.) 11.6 access to the mou ntains and the sea providing numerous outdoor activities Predominantly Sunny Days 157 including downhill and cross-country skiing, Precipitation Days 168 snow-shoeing, mountain biking, hiking, mountain climbing, kayaking, canoeing, Comfort Index 77 (out of 100) scuba diving, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing—the area offers something for Elevation (feet) 190 everyone. Source: www.usclimatedata.com and www.bestplaces.net 2016 Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry 5 Bellingham Something Arts Education Business Ira Yeager, Abstraction, 2000 is on display at the Whatcom Museum through Photo provided by Whatcom Community College Caption Iconic Downtown Bellingham by Andrew Reding. May 15, 2016 as part of the Bringing Home the Work of Ira Yeager: Photo provided by the city of Bellingham. Six Decades of Art exhibit. For those looking for culture, Bellingham will not Whatcom County offers a highly educated Bellingham is a leader when it comes to business disappoint. A combination of nationally touring and workforce due in-part to the number of higher opportunities in the state of Washington. Importers locally produced museum exhibits, gallery tours, education institutions in the area. They include and exporters benefit from the Bellingham theater productions and symphony performances Western Washington University, Whatcom International Airport, shipping, railroad and provide an active and diverse calendar of events Community College, Bellingham Technical College, trucking up and down the I-5 corridor. throughout the year. Bellingham’s cultural arts Trinity Western University, Charter College and the district is packed with venues for all interests. Northwest Indian College. 6 2016 Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry for everyone! View from Boulevard park by David Veatch. Photo provided by courtesy of the City of Bellingham. Canadian connection Go Green Retirement Peace Arch border crossing Popular Bellingham Bumper Sticker by Kathy Dotinga. A retired couple strolls along the bay at Boulevard Park. Photo provided courtesy of the City of Bellingham Photo provided by Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism The proximity to the Canadian border has a strong Locals are cognizant of their carbon footprint and For years, Bellingham has been listed as one of affect on the local economy. Large local retailers increasingly walk, bike and bus to work rather than the “Top 25 Places to Retire.” Due in part to the see up to 50% of their shoppers from British using cars. “Bellingham already has one of the beauty of the area, mild climate and exceptional air Columbia. When the Canadian dollar is strong, it highest bicycling and walking rates in the entire quality, the variety of cultural activities, low crime creates demand for Canadian shoppers seeking state,” according to Peter Lagerwey, the Regional rates, access to public transportation, and miles of retail bargains and real estate in Whatcom County. Office Director for Toole Design Group in Seattle. urban trails for walking and biking. Bellingham is a The commodities that are in highest demand volunteer-centric community and has opportunities among our neighbors to the north are gasoline and to keep retirees busy and active. milk. 2016 Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry 7 Whatcom County Blaine, Wa | Pop. 4,910 Birch Bay, Wa | 8,413 Mount Baker Foothills Known as the Peace Arch City, Blaine is nestled Deming – 353 | Maple Falls – 324 north of Bellingham sitting on the international Glacier – 211 | Kendall – 191 border between British Columbia, Canada and the United States. Blaine is home to exceptional biking The Mount Baker Foothills region encompasses trails, bird watching, and aquatic activities such as the towns of Deming, Maple Falls, Glacier and Ken- kayaking and sailing. The community is also home dall – the region is located along state route 542, to Semiahmoo Resort, a seaside hotel featuring the main thoroughfare to Mount Baker. The timber a luxurious spa and the number one and number industry is a significant employer in the area, while three rated golf courses in Washington State. ski shops, restaurants, B&B’s and rental cabins serve tourists. Birch Bay Waterslides by Jon Brunk. Photo provided courtesy of Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism. Point Roberts, Wa | 1,314 Birch Bay is located in the northwestern corner of Whatcom County. Birch Bay has been a resort